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Sandra Omo reminds us that all is not glam during the first days of modelling

I remember the day I did my very first modelling job. It was far back in 2002, and I had just been chosen to be the face of a major wedding gown designer house in Lagos.

“Where was the make-up artist? Was there one on the way, I mean who was going to do me up?”

I did not go through any casting or audition, and I would not say I was scouted either as I was introduced by a relative of mine to the owner of the wedding gown boutique. So was it by connection then? I guess so. Nonetheless, it was a well paying job, and to begin my career like that, although I didn’t take it serious until five years later, really boosted my confidence.

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Sandra Omo looks at the current trend of expecting models to work for free

Being a model sometimes means doing things for free. Whether it be a photo shoot, runway, commercial or whatever, my definition of free here is: ‘one good turn deserves another’ or you get something in kind in return.

Even here, there comes a point where one has to draw the line between being a professional model and continuously doing free jobs – if not, how on earth are we supposed to earn a living? Boy, we need money to spend and pay bills too, you know. And besides, how does one call something a job or a profession if you cannot earn from it.

“Is it the models who don’t care as long as it’s their face in the picture?”

Now there is another trend – I call it an epidemic – that has crept into the UK modelling industry: doing jobs in return for nothing apart from the perceived promotion one may get from it.

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Sandra Omo points out that there’s more to dieting than simply shedding pounds

I, like every other model, have become a victim of the word ‘diet’. It has become a word we dare not use outside our clique, otherwise the stare we get is the type that can cause the ground to open and swallow us.

Why? Because this word has become such a misunderstood cliché, so that when a model, especially a slim person, says he/she is on a diet, the first thought that runs through people’s minds is usually cynical. Then they begin to ask questions like: “What’s wrong with you?”, “Are you serious or joking?”, “What on earth do you need to diet for?”, “Can’t you see you are skinny already?”, etc. Yeah all these may be true but has it ever occurred to anyone that they are exactly the reasons why that person should be on a diet?

“As long as you eat food, you are on a diet. The question is, are you on a good or bad diet?”

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Sandra Omo gives a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the reality of a fashion show

I am backstage at a fashion show right now, as I write this column and it’s bizarre – that’s the only word that can describe the rowdiness and haste right here. I am in-line for my make-up and it will take a while before it reaches my turn.

“I have just begun my make-up and hear we have just an hour to go until the show, no time at all”

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