Processing fashion week

We are entering the final week of this season’s fashion month, with Paris in full swing, and the thought of it brings me a sense of nostalgia. The more time that passes since I attended fashion week, the more I appreciate how unique those experiences were. It has taken me a long time to feel this way, probably because

my experiences were overwhelming and intense, requiring time to process.

This is what I remember from fashion week: The castings, where you would be waiting for what felt like ages just to show your walk, hand in a card, and pose for a headshot, all before the other 50 models had their turn. In the beginning, this often left me feeling insecure and inadequate. Then things turned around, the castings would go well, and I would start booking shows, which did make the experience much more exciting. The shows were both stressful and powerful, with an adrenaline rush I loved—racing from one show to another on motorbikes and being part of something truly chaotic has always been something I enjoyed. On the flip side of this, I also recall the frantic rushes at 3 am, only to face rejection, which would be a knock in the teeth. Some seasons I was surviving on just 3-4 hours of sleep a night, battling panic attacks and shakes in the weeks that followed, which really was one of the main reasons I eventually said ‘stop’. It's a beautiful yet absurd experience, one I'm honoured to have been part of, but also one I’m incredibly wary of. My main takeaway from this is that preparation and processing are key to making it a positive experience.

I believe other models have managed and processed their fashion weeks differently than me, but here are three examples of things I eventually did which helped me a great deal both during and following fashion week:

• Take regular breaks: They can be small if needed. It can be exciting to thrive on the rush of fashion week, but as a model, it comes with disappointment. It is important to take time out to breathe and allow the impressions to sink in.
  

• Speak about your experiences: Find someone willing to listen. It's difficult to explain the way this industry works and how it makes us feel, but it's important to find understanding.
  

• Write as much down as you can: Keep a journal before, throughout, and after fashion week. Write about how you feel, your expectations, goals, and motivation. This will help process experiences and set healthier boundaries. Reflecting on expectations and motivations serves as fuel during difficult times and a point of reference when boundaries are crossed.
  

An uber driver once told me; 'there is always time for a hot chocolate and a croissant'

Everyone's career looks different, just as everyone's fashion weeks will. Processing as you go along or even afterwards should enable you to reflect on whether it is going in a way which works for you. If it does not, perhaps it is time to speak to your agent, consider your options, and make a few changes to the way you approach fashion week. When I finally did start to do this, I subsequently started setting my own limits, which led me to have a much more enjoyable fashion week experience. Fashion week is hard; look after yourself out there!