Model Sheriline Chycoski believes she works in an industry surrounded by
myths. The biggest of these myths, according to Chycoski, is the belief that
models can build their careers on a pretty face.
"So many people get into modeling with no business sense at all. No one
has told them they will have to market themselves, to make wise investments
in their careers, to make some heavy-duty choices about their lives," says
Chycoski.
Chycoski knows about these myths from experience.
As a young woman struggling to make it in the modeling industry, Chycoski
says she was too willing to hand over her money and control of her career
to anyone who promised her success.
At 18, after having completed modeling school and high school, Chycoski
hired an agent who guaranteed her immediate stardom. Within a few months,
the agent had convinced Chycoski to spend $1,800 to go to a modeling conference
in New York.
"I was told there would be people there from all of the really big modeling
agencies -- that this would be a recruiting conference for the agencies. It
turned out that these big agents were only invited to the conference as guests,
and had no intention of doing any recruiting."
While the conference was not what Chycoski had hoped for, she says the
experience taught her a valuable lesson.
"I learned to do some homework before jumping into anything. I began to
do some research about agents, about where the industry was going. I found
a really great agent this way, one I really trust, but I still keep control
of the direction of my career."
"Models are hired [for having] a certain look. We're not necessarily
the most beautiful people in the world, we just have the look the industry
wants. And it takes a lot of work to maintain this look," says New York runway
model Theresa Wilson.
Chycoski works with an agency called Plus Figure Modeling. The demand for
plus-size models -- models who wear size 12 or higher -- has grown rapidly
in North America. More and more clothing manufacturers are designing clothes
for larger women, so the demand for models who can wear these clothes has
grown.
"It's a good feeling to be part of the area of the industry that's
growing," says Chycoski. "Since I decided to join a plus-size modeling agency,
I have had offers from an agency in New York who wouldn't even look at
me before."
When Chycoski isn't modeling for photographers and in fashion shows,
she's busy being a "model" theater student. She has been working on her
master's degree in acting. She says her theater training and her modeling
career have complemented each other, allowing her to branch out her career
choices. Not only does the money Chycoski makes through modeling help pay
her tuition, but her acting experience has benefited her modeling career.
"You have to have a flair for the dramatic to be a model. My theater training
has taught me how to be really expressive with body language, and I'm
always being complimented by photographers for my ability to communicate with
the camera."
Modeling is definitely a good career for people who like to act. After
all, when models pose for a camera or walk down a runway, they have to be
able to come up with just the right expression on demand.
"For one fashion show -- we called it the death show, because all the clothes
were black -- all the models had to wear white make-up on their faces and
look very somber. We were told to act like we were in mourning," says Wilson.
Chycoski also uses her theater background to find work in the entertainment
industry. She has done a number of television commercials, theater productions
and local television shows. She hopes to someday make a full-time career of
acting.
"I've always known it's important to have a skill to fall back
on because, unfortunately, you can't be a model forever. Acting is something
I can do for a lot longer than modeling, and it's something I really
enjoy doing."
In spite of her interest in acting, Chycoski says modeling will always
be her first love. She believes getting into modeling at an early age taught
her how to be self-reliant, business-minded and disciplined.
During photo shoots or fashion shows, models spend long hours on their
feet, trying on different outfits, doing practice walks on the ramp or posing
in a variety of settings. Sometimes these conditions can be less than ideal
-- even putting you in entirely the wrong clothes for the time of year.
"Because we're so tied to the fashion industry, we have to model clothes
for the next season. Sometimes it means doing swimsuit shoots in February
or modeling winter clothes in the heat of the summer," says model Thomas Rubjeer.
Discipline is a key ingredient for professional models like Chycoski. Whether
it's being on her feet for 12 hours at a stretch during a photo shoot,
maintaining a strict, healthy diet (no cheesecake, thanks) or working out
for two hours every day, self-discipline is always on a model's mind.
Chycoski is quick to point out modeling is not all work and no play, however.
She says some of the best times she's had have been backstage at a fashion
show or in the dressing room of a photo shoot.
"It can get pretty hairy backstage between [modeling] sets -- we're
all trying to change quickly, and there's clothes and shoes and jewelry
flying everywhere -- but we really have a good laugh while we're doing
it. It's terrific fun. Modeling can be really fun!"
In fact, Chycoski says she would gladly recommend a career in modeling
to anyone who thinks they have the right stuff.
"It really is a wonderful industry. You can travel, meet new people and
make a very decent living doing what you love to do -- but you have to have
control over the reins of your career."