Madrid feels like a second home; but in this line of profession you learn to have your bags packed for the next market. Sitting on the plane, flying over the Mediterranean was exhilarating; thousands of miles above a sea of cobalt glory, traveling farther from home than I have ever been before, into new territory. When asked what I would like to drink on the flight I replied with “cof-ay” - a hybrid of Spanish and English. My brain was confused, to say the least. Especially since I had just watched “Mr. Popper’s Penguins” in Spanish wish Greek subtitles.
Waiting for baggage is when it hit me that I would be more lost in translation than ever. The signs in Greek felt more like algebraic equations than anything. I finally found bus X97 and made it to the agency. I was so pleased to see a stack of comp cards already waiting for me - both cover images shot by my dear friend and talented photographer Dustin Rowley. It feels nice to be prepared.
The model apartment is located below the agency and I could smell spaghetti from upstairs. Entering was chaotic. Five models in one studio for the first night. Welcome to international modeling.
I was thrown into castings immediately the next morning, no time to lose. I followed the girls around like a little puppy and was immediately ushered in as a translator between Naomi, Suleima, Alba, and Marta all from Spain; and Jessica and Savannah from Germany and Chicago. The day is spent hopping from bus to metro to casting to metro to casting to metro to bus to casting to metro to bus to home. So much effort is spent in getting to the casting and usually the client flips through your book, takes your card, and your off. It’s exhausting, and then to arrive home only to be told I had to go back out again for one more casting, at which I was told “You have kilos here,” as the designer grabbed my hips. Thanks.
That night we went to Villa Mercedes, one of the nicest clubs in the city, where the PR rep has a deal with the agency and we can come and go as we please free of charge for anything. It’s surreal; but i’m happy to let loose.
New Model Girls. Suleima Martin, Naomi Cabrera Pulido, Savannah Thomas, Marta Abarrategui Lamamie de Clairac, Me, Alba Rocio Lagarto Moreno, and Jessica Wintz.
