Ulster Tatler – June 2019

MODELS : THEN & NOW

Models

Then & Now

69

When did you start your modelling

career?

I did some bits and pieces of modelling

in my teenage years but it wasn’t until I

was 19 and won Miss Northern Ireland

that I got my first modelling contract and

that was with ACA Models. It was such an

exciting time and an amazing opportunity

to start a modelling career. I loved all

aspects from the photographic to the

catwalk - it was all a dream come true.

Several years later in my twenties I was

then signed by Storm in London which

was so surreal to be in the same agency

as Kate Moss and Cindy Crawford, my

modelling heroes and the biggest and

best supermodels of our generation.

Were you scouted or was it something

you set out to do?

I got asked to model at my secondary

school’s fashion show and also a local

fashion show in town. Also, a classmate

asked me to join her on a photoshoot

after school one day. I couldn’t believe

that I had been asked to be on the

catwalk or to do the photoshoot. I had

so much fun doing both and it gave

me a little bit of confidence to pursue

modelling, something that I’d been

interested in from a young age.

I used the photos from the shoot with

my classmate to enter myself into the

Miss Northern Ireland contest. I had

always admired the previous winners

and each year I would look forward

to seeing who our new Miss Northern

Ireland would be. It still feels surreal that

I’m now a previous titleholder alongside

all those girls I looked up to.

Did you have a particular mentor or

someone you looked up to for advice?

At the helm of ACA, Alison Clarke

has always been the ultimate mentor

throughout my reign as Miss Northern

Ireland and my modelling career. She

was only ever a phone call away and

she always kept me right. Her guidance,

direction and advice is always incredible

but that’s why she’s so successful. Alison’s

knowledge and experience in the

modelling industry here is phenomenal.

Her remarkable professionalism shines

through everything she does. I couldn’t

have asked for a better mentor and

someone who I can now call my friend.

What has been the stand out moment in

your modelling career and why?

It has to be winning the title of Miss

Northern Ireland. It truly was a dream

come true. All these years later it still

feels like a dream, I don’t think I’ll ever

forget the shock and surprise when they

announced my name as the winner. It

was a stand out moment not only in my

modelling career but in my life too. It

was a very special time as I got to share

the moment with my family as they were

there to support me. It was the best and

happiest of memories because we were

all together.

What is your advice for young people

today looking to get into modelling?

If you are passionate about a career

in modelling then follow your dreams.

You don’t know unless you try - have no

regrets. Personally, I loved every minute

of it - from the range and variety of work,

to the fantastic people you meet along

the way, plus you get to travel far and

wide. I love how the world of modelling

has become so much more accepting

and inclusive - we see models such as

Kate Grant making an impact and carving

a successful career for herself. I think

it’s long overdue and I look forward to

seeing more people like her enter the

industry - we need all walks of society

represented, modelling should reflect

real life and real people.

Do you have any regrets, something

you wish you didn’t do?

I only ever regret the things I didn’t do

but not the things I did do. As for all the

things I have done, no regrets, just great

stories or lessons well learnt. I love this

quote from Nelson Mandela, “I never

lose. I either win or learn.”

ZOE

SALMON