Jessica
Agencies
Mother Agency (MA): Massardo Model Management
Toronto: ledrew Models
Answers to Q&A
Why did you become a model?
Growing up modelling was always a front runner for what I wanted to do. As a natural redhead in a small town definitely had its setbacks. You stood out where ever you went. You get hated on for standing out. Modelling was the one place I felt normal, beautiful even. Modelling built my confidence. It’s a community where being different is seen as a strength rather than a weakness. Everyone is so kind and inclusive that it’s just a really special community to be apart of.
What makes you special?
One of my favourite things to surprise people with is that I am actually a mother, to not just one but three children. When the pandemic first hit and everything slowed down I got pregnant with our beautiful daughter Lilly, then her two brothers followed quickly after.
Parenting changed my perspective on life all around especially when it comes to modelling. Now not only do I model for myself but I model for them. To show them you can have a career and still have a life at home. My husband and children support me in every way possible and I’m forever great full to have them in my life.
What are you passionate about?
Outside of modelling I’m very passionate about a few things, one of them being crocheting. I had always been a knitter prior but could never quite get a hand on crocheting. Through reworking the “rules” I learned my own way to conquer the craft. I make my own patterns and designs. From blankets, to stuffed animals to clothing for myself, if I think of it I can make it! It’s a growing passion of mine that I love to dive into. Whether I’m in the waiting room or having a few spare minutes in the day I’m always crocheting.
The other thing I’m very passionate about is gardening and preserving. At my house my husband and I have created the gardens of our dreams with tons of fruit trees, bushes, vegetables, flowers, and medicinal herbs. We take such pride in our gardening and harvesting. We try to grow almost everything we would need for the year. I haven’t bought tomato sauce or any veg in almost 2 years. It’s definitely a life I take great pride in.
One thing people may be surprised to find out about you.
Although I’m only recently coming back to the modelling scene I’m actually quite experienced. From 2018-2020 I travelled as much as I could. I was based out of Beijing China - but flown all over the country, for three months. Working 89 out of the 90 days truly gave me the “mode boot camp” feeling. It was a huge learning moment going on my first over seas contract. One that I’ll never forget.
From Beijing I went on to Osaka Japan. It was a beautiful country full of so much culture. Japan was my first taste of modeling where I had to navigate the city to find my own ways to castings and jobs. Next was Paris France. Paris was magical, the city itself was beautiful but walking in Paris fashion week for @Juanamartinoficial (Instagram) was one of my proudest moments. Along with working for Thorntonbregazzi, @benjaminbenmoyal (Instagram), Paul Smith and many more, Paris gave me a real rush making me feel like I’ve finally made it.
If you could give an aspiring model any advice, what would it be?
There’s nothing I can stress more about than having the right management. When you’re trying to get into modelling you want to know that you’re going for a partnership. You don’t work for them, you work with them. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your agent then it will never work out.
Your management needs to be able to assess what market your look would work best in for you to succeed. Putting a commercial style model in the high fashion market wouldn’t be the best fit and can make it a lot harder to get jobs. Knowledge about the industry is key.
I have been beyond lucky with my mother agency @massardomgmt (Instagram). He will stick up for any of his models and make sure they are being treated fairly. He treats his models as human beings instead of employees and this has been one of the main reasons why I love modelling so much. After my 5 year break with the children I was welcomed back into the industry with wide open arms and I felt at home again.