The modelling industry is one of the most competitive fields out there. The lifespan of a typical model's career usually ranges from 5-7 years before she is perceived as "overrated" by the fashion and beauty industries, who naturally are always in search of the new and exciting. So how does one survive the cut-throat nature of the modeling industry, especially in the Middle East?
To hit the jackpot as a model in Europe or America is hard, so how difficult must it be to make it big in the Arab world? To get the inside scoop on the industry here, I spoke to Shereen Ahmed, 19, who has successfully been a professional model for over four years in the Middle East. As she listens on the sounds of Frank Sinatra and sips on her camomile tea, Shereen answers the revealing questions that you all are dying to know.
ZQ: How does getting your hair and makeup done so often have an effect on your hair and skin? Does it take a toll on it?
Shereen: For exhibitions, our fashion shows would run for three consecutive days. This meant updos with half a bottle of hairspray every single day. Thrice the heat and thrice the accumulated bacteria due to some makeup artists' usage of the same brush from one model's face to the other. So sudden breakouts never came as a surprise, so does hair damage, such as dryness and fall-outs.
ZQ: Well then, what rituals do you have to keep your hair and skin in the best condition?
Shereen: Whenever such scenarios took place, I made sure to sacrifice a day's work to let my skin regenerate and my hair to air dry and be free of chemicals. Also, I make sure to go for Morrocan Baths 2-3 times a month (call me a hygiene freak) - nothing beats smooth and newly restored skin. For my face, I try my best to go for facials once every two months, I have replaced daily face washes to plain water and ALWAYS as a rule of thumb remove makeup before bed and moisturize with a night cream.
ZQ: Does not liking the makeup or hair effect your performance during a shoot?
Shereen: It used to. I had longer hair then and it's as thick as a horse's tail so hairstylists would rush when it came to styling my tresses (I secretly envied those who were given more effort in hairstyles) and so of course this affected my confidence which lead to dull performances. At the end of the day, models have to realise that our job is to play as mannequins and aid these people to showcase their talent: may it be fashion designing, hair styling or painting a beautiful canvas on a human's frontage. I've learned to accept the diversity in their talents, and set challenges for myself to make such looks (even those I despise) emerge as they should - fashionable.
ZQ: What tips and tricks have your learnt from the makeup artists and hairstylists from socialising with them over the years?
Shereen: Countless! I pretty much learned all about contouring, applying the correct color foundation, down to lining my eyes and lips from watching these makeup artists. Youtube can only get you so far, so seeing these people working their magic and being able to observe their hand-strokes helped a great deal in my being cosmetically aware. The main tips I received from makeup artists were:
1) Always clean your brushes after each use to get rid of leftover germs.
2) Start with a clean base - wash, tone, moisturize, prime and then apply your makeup.
3) Start with the eye makeup (less hassle) so that fall-outs in the eye are can be rid of before applying the base makeup.
For hair, heat protection spray always before using heating tools on your tresses, and mayonnaise works wonders as a deep conditioner (sounds gross, but has worked amazingly prior)!
WORKING WITH PHOTOGRAPHERS
ZQ: Who has been your favorite photorapher to work with in the Middle East, and why?
Shereen: Glenn Dulay, without a doubt. He's part of the reason why my career took off in Bahrain. He is honestly my go-to photographer and I'd recommend him to anyone who wants a fabulous photograph without the over-photoshopped tragedy that's been going on a lot lately. Check his portfolio out
here.
ZQ: What is your personal technique when posing for the camera?
Shereen: I try to give as many poses as achievable. Even if those poses aren't wanted for a shot, I figure the more options for the photographer and client, the better. Also, I always allow the light to hit my face for more definition, like-wise for outdoor shoots - let the sun hit your face in a natural way.
ZQ: What is the worst experience you've had with a photographer in the Middle East?
Shereen: In my days beginning as a model this photographer kept nodding in disagreement with the poses he didn't like but would not put an effort to showing me how he wanted them instead. This got me de-motivated and at a loss of energy. He limited my facial expressions to a dull grin as well as my poses, and the outcome of the pictures were horrendous and not to my client's liking at the end of the day.
RUNWAYS & RELATIONSHIPS
ZQ: Which do you prefer, catwalk or commercial modelling? Why?
Shereen: Definitely catwalk! Funny thing is that I was a horrible walker back then. I watched all of these models tumble on the runway on Youtube and would constantly have that paranoia in mind as I walked on stage; but with time I got accustomed to it and adore the thrill.
ZQ: What is the atmosphere like backstage?
Shereen: Bipolar is the word. First few hours are laid back, models gather to discuss show plans, we have tea or lunch and proceed with hair and makeup. Then, we reach thirty minutes before the start of the show... suddenly people go missing, hairstyles dislodged, models who have arrived late have arguments with the organisers, everyone is unsure of the sequence and can feel the tension building up to that moment until it ends and we all embrace, applaud ourselves, and proceed to dine and take selfies.
ZQ: What's your best and worst experiences shooting with another model in the Middle East?
Shereen: Best was the shoot with the lead actress of Dead Sands, Miraya Varma. She is such a doll and so much fun to work with - her whole personality is so positive and hard-working, it's contagious. That photo shoot did not feel like work at all. Worst, none so far.
GENERAL QUESTIONS
ZQ: Where do you like shooting more, Bahrain or Dubai, and why?
Shereen: Dubai! In terms of shooting, there are more locations because you have the whole UAE to depend upon, more opportunities for global expansion (major brand shoots take place in DXB) and better treatment for models; fixed transportation, meals arranged, contracts exist and respected, payment is relatively high and always given on time.
ZQ: How did you get your start and what agency are you signed to?
Shereen: I overheard a friend about a casting for the first fashion show to be held in Bahrain City Centre in the first week of its opening and decided to go for fun. Luckily, I was chosen to partake in the 2010 Fashion Festival to model for Pimkie and other pre-teen clothing brands. That's when Princess Sinchongco (organizer of Bahrain Fashion Week) discovered me, one photoshoot led to another and here we are.
Like most Middle Eastern models, I'm a freelancer so I'm not signed annually to a specific agency. I am very loyal to certain agencies in Bahrain like Red Scarf, Gallure and Simply Castings. In Dubai, I have paired with Mirage Modeling, Synergy Events, Radiant Events, ASG Modelling, VIP Models DXB, etc. who notify me via emails/calls about upcoming projects.
ZQ: How do you feel about the industry in the Middle East?
Shereen: Let me just begin by stating how astonishing it is to have Arab models and beat the stereotype that we are all nothing but housewives, covered up and locked at home. This is not the case anymore in the Middle East, women have the power and are not oppressed like the Western media makes us out to be. I have already seen such growth here in the modelling industry in just four years (from when I started). There are numerous things wrong with the Middle East's modelling industry though. They really do not make it all that difficult for aspiring models anymore. A friend of mine could wake up one morning, agree to a free photoshoot and call herself a model regardless of her experience and knowledge of it and everyone allows it because "hey, if it's cheaper, why the hell not?"
ZQ: Finally, what's your advice for the young generation who are looking to get into modelling?
Shereen: It will take time. Do not compare yourself to those who got it easy and make that your target method of achieving your dreams, because for you to be successful in modelling, or anything in life really, you have to have had all of the occurences - good, bad, embarassing, awkward and challenging, to make that triumphant feeling even more remarkable for yourself. Have patience, do your research, expose yourself and always be humble.
You can follow Shereen on Instagram
here and read her blog
here.
XO
Zayn Q
