FAUSTINE

Born and raised in France, Faustine found her big break in to the modelling industry after being scouted in Paris at the age of fourteen. Always being told she was perfect for the modelling industry due to her slender and tall frame, Faustine never felt that her beauty was very special. The French family girl was pushed out her comfort zone many times throughout her modelling career but has always wanted to reach her highest goals. Securing top jobs with the likes of Vogue and signed to a number of agencies internationally, the model has experienced the realms of the industry first hand. Faustine shares her opinions in an exclusive interview with Model Issue.

How would you describe your childhood environment?

It was pretty normal I guess, I’ve always had both of my parents and my sister. I was always a happy child, I think the foundations of your youth shapes you for the future and my parents always made sure we had everything.

That’s nice. What was the ideal life you would have dreamt to have had?

Well, I would never change the experiences I have had in my life but one thing I have always longed for is to have my family close to me and around forever. Close members of my family haven't made it until the end and it would've been nice if they had.

What made you become a model?

I have always been very tall and skinny, my friends would always tell me that I should start modelling but I never thought that I was beautiful.

Well you've proved yourself wrong! What did your parents think?

My parents always mentioned it to me as well and then when I was fourteen I was scouted in Paris, growing up in France close to the capital was the best thing for me. 

How would you describe your personal journey to where you are today?

I was scouted at the age of fourteen, I was perhaps a bit young but I felt like I was ready. I travelled a lot and more recently I moved to London. I’ve since become a brand specialist in a luxury department store and although I am still currently signed to my agency here I have chosen to put that aspect of my life on hold unless I get a direct booking in advance.

Do you mind me asking why you have chosen to put the modelling on hold?

I think, as you get older you crave structure in your life, being a model does not really allow you to have any structure to your life.

In terms of your career as a model, was there anything that you were not prepared for?

I was always taught that modelling was very good money, I was not prepared to be broke every single month. I was never paid in a good time frame and once I would have a little taste of pay from one job I had to try and make that last as long as possible. I was expecting a more consistent flow of money. 

We’re aware that model agencies can take anything from thirty to ninety days before they pay models, is this a big effect to most models?

Unless you have countless big brand sponsors and jobs, more than likely you will not be getting any form of consistent pay. Most agencies are very bad at keeping you in the loop, you always have to chase it up and considering agencies take their percentage to represent you, I always have expected more from them.

What would you say has been the most rewarding experience throughout your modelling career?

By far the travelling! Having an agency abroad is amazing, you meet people constantly from photographers to exclusive designers and you're exposed to some of the most creative knowledge you can ever think of. Travel has always been the best part for me.

How often would you say you're involved with the direction of your modelling career?

I am not involved at all, but that doesn't stop me suggesting what I feel is best for me. 

What sort of direction do you discuss with your agency?

For example, the last show season my booker made it clear that she didn’t want me to walk at London Fashion Week. For me, fashion week is the best part. I insisted that I at least attend a few castings and the results paid off, I was so proud of myself it had been one of my best show weeks.

I’m so glad it paid off for you.

So am I, (laughs). Since then I trust myself, it’s all about you, not your booker.

How often do you visit your agency?

More recently I only go to my agency when I need to which is If I have to collect composite cards or update my Polaroid's. When I first started modelling I would go into the agency roughly every four weeks. Now we just text and email a lot. 

When you're on set who is in charge of your well being?

In the case of a test shoot for example it is down to the photographer, on the bigger jobs it’s the assistant. 

Have you always had a good experience on set?

Always. Everyone makes the effort to be nice to me and I have never had a problem with the team on set. I’ve only ever had bad experiences with the bookers from agencies.

What have been the negatives of your modelling career?

You have to be thicker skinned in the industry as a model, with that being said there are some comments that have got to me more than others. I’ve been told that I’m hard to work with and that I’m perhaps not professional on set. 

Has that ever been the case?

Never, I am extremely willing to succeed. All of these comments were being made to me by my mother agency. It would be in the cases where they would tell me I am going to sign to an agency abroad, one that I did not like and was being forced to pay to attend.

Was this not something that the agency would pay for?

This is what I was initially told, it became an issue when I was being compared to by other girls who were getting themselves in debt by asking to borrow money from their friends to pay for their way. I didn’t want to subject myself to that after an agreement was already made. 

That’s crazy!

Exactly, there are so many stories like this and for me it got worse because I really wanted the opportunity so my agency suggested that I work in a nightclub once I got to Italy. On top of how hard we models work to conform to something like that, in a city I don't know furthermore, the language many issues arose.

Where do you believe the direction of the modelling industry is heading?

The industry’s sole focus is currently on social media at the moment, I don't think it is a bad thing and as it wont be going away anytime soon and many girls deserve to be recognised even if they haven't secured the biggest campaign going. Although, I don't think that it should ever be the reason a client is booking a girl for a campaign, or even signing a girl to the agency.

Has this ever effected your career?

Some huge agencies have previously asked for my Instagram handle and Facebook account before confirming any moves which I thought was weird. This is something I don’t like, social media is making a models job ten times harder.

How do you think the modelling industry is changing currently?

I personally don't think that the modelling agency is changing much at the moment. There are a few curvy girls, which is a good thing but I don't think that this defines the industry and it never will in my opinion.

Do you think the adaption of sizes will solve the issues that women face?

Personally I don't think so, it is down to the individual to be happy within themselves. It’s hard because there are girls that are naturally slim and will always get negative opinions pushed on to them by bigger girls. Everyone should focus on their own image, weight doesn't sell in my opinion.

What do you think the modelling industry should focus on?

The industry needs to focus more on the wellbeing of the models, not the client. Just because our field falls into the fashion sector and the stigma it embodies this doesn't mean that people don't need to be respectful or friendly. Education to the girls, let the new faces know that if they go to Milan they will be sharing with five other girls, give them an insight into the pressures of the industry.

Is there any advice that you would offer someone else following in your footsteps?

Find a side job, build a healthy relationship with the team and let them know your goals and aspirations. You always need a constant amount of income, make sure you can pay your rent at the end of the month. Getting a side job has saved me, this wasn't the case for me last year.