Arabelle
Agencies
Mother Agency (MA): Morgan Model Management
Answers to Q&A
What INSPIRED you to become a model?
To be honest my modelling journey did start early when I was in middle school. I remember I would wakeup at 5 am EVERYDAY and grab the remote from my mom because she of course wanted to watch Breakfast Television before she went off to work. But, I would throw a fit and beg her to let me watch Fashion Television with Jeanne Beker. I was just in awe and mesmerized by her interviews backstage with Marc Jacobs, John Galiano, Alexander McQueen, and Dsquared.
However, what mostly caught my attention was her interviews backstage with the early 2000’s supermodels when they were getting their hair and makeup done and the outfits they were going to wear on the runway. And as a young girl I was like “heck yea I want to work and walk for these major designers one day and get to fly to Milan and Paris!”
Moreover, as I got older I was doing a lot of freelance work around the GTA to build up my portfolio book, collaborating with photographers and even photography students at Sheridan College in Oakville. They had a forum on Facebook for models and I would always volunteer and want to collaborate and do either creative or editorial shoots.
Then reality started to kick in and once I was in University (this is going to sound bad - stay in school and focus on your studies kids) was kind of skipping classes to go to go-sees and castings to different Toronto agencies throughout the week. I would pop in and introduce myself show them my book and would unfortunately would get the same response…NO!. I was feeling discouraged and bummed that no agency wanted to sign me, but I was not going to give up on this dream that I had since I was 12. So I went online and literally typed into Google “Top Toronto Modeling Agencies”, and I was scrolling and I saw one agency that I never went to and it was Morgan Model Management. I was scared to reach out because I said to myself if they turn me down then I’ll put my tail between my legs and find another passion of mine or continue with my studies. I sent my portfolio and an email to Janelle Morgan and I was literally saying every prayer you could imagine. I believe it was the next day I got an email from her and she wanted to see me in person. This meeting was very nerve-wracking for me because I kept doubting myself and second-guessing if it was a good idea but I mustered up the courage went to Janelle’s office and laid it all out there to her…..and I guess you can say the rest is history since I have been with her from 2019 till now.
What are you most excited about when it comes to modeling?
I am most excited about in terms of modeling would definitely be the travelling aspect. When I first got signed in South Africa this was my first international contract and being 50,000 miles away from my family and friends was very daunting.
However, it allowed my to gain independence and start maturing because I was very sheltered throughout my life and wanted to experience life outside of Mississauga. Traveling allowed me to meet other models from ALL OVER the world and gain new friendships till this day, as well as experience new cultures, languages, food, customs and traditions that I will truly cherish forever.
Can you share with us some advice you have for models wanting to get into the industry?
The one key advice I want to give to aspiring models entering the fashion industry. Is to ALWAYS SPEAK UP when you feel uncomfortable or something is not right on set. Being in this industry for over a decade I myself am a bit of a pushover and people pleaser and have a fear in saying NO because the client will portray me as being a “diva” or “difficult” to work with. But, at the end of the day models we are humans and have a voice and right to speak up for ourselves to ensure we are safe and well taken care of.
share a fun fact about yourself!
A fun fact about myself is I am a 3rd Dan Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.