ARTICLES

1. JR - This is your second season in New York City’s Olympus Fashion Week, how do you prepare for the upcoming shows?

S - Because this is Spring/Summer wear season, I’ll show lots of skin. I have to make sure that I’m in great shape. I become a vegan for two weeks and do lots and lots of crunches. I also dance like crazy in my room. I especially like to belly dance in the mirror.

2. JR - There are a lot of eyes on you when walking down the runway. Do you ever get nervous before a big show?

S - Oh yes, I get nervous, but once I get on the runway and see the lights, I know it is my time to shine.

3. JR - Who are some of the designers you walked for last season?

S - I walked for Ingwa-Melero, Sebastian Pons, Vivienne Tam, and Daryl K. I wasn’t supposed to be in last season’s shows because I didn’t have an established portfolio with IMG. I had just moved here and all I had was a Polaroid picture but it was enough to get me casted for the shows because the designers really liked my walk.

4. JR - Who is your favorite designer?

S - I like them all but I really want to walk for Narcisco Rodriguez one day.

5. JR - What are some of the shows we can expect to see you in this season?

S - This industry is so last minute that most models won’t know who they’re walking for until a few days before the show or even the same day. Even if a designer personally requests you, you still may not be confirmed until the last minute. So look for me on the runway. I could pop up anywhere.

6. JR - How does a model get picked to do a runway show?

S - Your agent sets you up to go on castings, which is like an audition. If the casting director likes the model, they will get confirmed. More than likely, the model will have to walk for the stylist or the casting director and show their book. The model’s walk alone can get her the job.

7. JR - Lately celebrities are making appearances on the catwalks? How do you feel about that?

S - In a way it was kind of cool because if you were in the show with the celebrity you got to meet her, but it was bad for the models because entertainers were taking over the industry for a while there. Instead of models on magazine covers, you saw mostly celebrities, but it is starting to change again now that there are television shows about models like Tyra Bank's Next Top Model and more shows like it coming out this season. Television shows like these celebrate models and give the audience an appreciation of what we go through to be in this industry. I think that history will repeat itself once again and models will take their rightful places. Models are making a mega come back, just look at the magazine racks. It's changing as we speak.

8. JR – You are fifteen now and you have been modeling since you were 13-years old in South Florida, what has been your worst experience on the catwalk so far?

S - At one of my biggest shows, I was in line right before a well-known model and she pushed me hard just as I was walking out onto the runway. I think that was my initiation.

9. JR – You’ve developed a unique walk on the runway. It has been described by casting agents as being "on fire" and Wayne Sterling at Models.com stated last season that he "wanted all of the models to walk like that (you)." How did you develop your signature walk?

S - Like most girls, I watched models walk on the Style channel and practiced, but my agent helped me to polish my walk.

10. JR - To get models ready for a show, it takes a lot of time and a lot of professionals. Besides hair and makeup, what else is happening backstage?

S - You are trying on your clothes and hanging out with other models. You really get to know the girls from other agencies when you are backstage. The press is there too so you get your picture taken and you eat. Some of the bigger shows have really good food.

11. JR - Typically models can do six shows a day or more during Fashion Week. For each show you are going to different hair stylists and makeup artists. Your hair can get extremely damaged during this week. How do you keep your hair and skin looking healthy during this time?

S - It is important to wash your face immediately after every show. Sometimes, I wear a hairpiece or extensions to protect my hair from getting fried during the fashion shows.

12. JR - How much money can an aspiring model look forward to making during Fashion Week?

S - Aspiring models who are just starting out may sometimes do a show for trade, where they get clothes instead of money. At the most, beginning models make about $2500 per show. Models who are casted for bigger shows will make more than that.

13. JR - Is it more difficult for an ethnic model

S - It hard for ethnic people to get jobs anywhere. You got to have something that makes you stand out from the crowd, whether it’s exotic looks or a Ph.D.

14. JR - Who are some of the models you personally admire?

S - I admire Tyra Banks for how she markets herself and I admire Naomi for her longevity. I also look up to Alex Wek because she is a beautiful person inside and out. I met her a few times and her personality really shines. She’s a sweetheart.

15. JR - You moved to the New York City area in February, what has surprised you the most about being in the big city?

S - Although most people are nice, it surprised me how careless and rude some people can be, especially drivers. When I first moved here from Florida, I was on my way to a casting and got hit by a big yellow school bus. I was thrown to the pavement and sustained minor injuries. It was a wake-up call that I wasn’t in Florida anymore.

16. JR - Your agency is IMG Models. They have lots of famous names on their roster, including Tyra Banks and Heidi Klum. Have you met any of them yet?

S - No but I’ve met Liv Tyler, Liya Kebede, and Ujwala Raut through the agency. I also met Kanye West, Wyclef Jean and a few other celebrities through events that I attended.

17. JR - You can be seen in an editorial spread in this September’s issue of VIBE magazine. Which do you prefer, editorial or runway?

S - I prefer runway because it is more exciting and it’s live. You have just one take to do it right, so there’s such an adrenaline rush.

18. JR - Models tend to make modeling look easy, but it takes a lot of hard work that the public never sees. What would you say is the hardest part about being a model?

S - One of the hardest parts for me is wearing shoes that are too small and not being able to complain about it. You can’t complain because there are so many other girls who have the right shoe size and would die to take your place in a heartbeat. There are times you may have to switch outfits with another model who has smaller feet or if a model didn’t show up, you are wearing her shoes and outfit. So you have to make the person who casted you believe that they picked the right person for the job, a flexible model who gives her all.

19. JR - What is your typical day like?

S - My life is just like anybody else’s life, except that I go on castings around New York City and I’m home schooled.

20. JR - I have seen you at recent red carpet premieres like I,Robot with Will Smith and Catwoman with Halle Berry. Do you think acting might be in your future?

S - I definitely want to be an actress. I am a dramatic person and I do well on camera. I would like to go into that field very soon. I plan to join S.A.G. (the Screen Actors Guild) in the next few months.

21. JR - Do you have a significant other in your life?

S - No way! I can’t have a boyfriend right now. I’m too busy. I just have a lot of friends.

22. JR - Do you have a website for those who might want to learn more about you and follow your career?

S - I don’t have a website that I personally maintain, but I do have a Yahoo group. It is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sessilee/. There are lots of photographs on it and links to articles about me.

23. JR - What advise would you give to aspiring young girls who want to be like you?

S - I want young girls to be true to themselves and have their own identity. That’s important. Whatever you do have a backup plan because the modeling industry is very fickle. You have to be strong and you have to be prepared for rejection. It goes along with modeling. You get rejected about 27 good times a week.

Sessilee is available for interviews regarding Olympus Fashion Week. PHOTOS AVAILABLE.




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