Model Momentum: How Lina Rose Through the Ranks of the World’s Toughest Fashion Markets

PHOTO BY TOMILA KATSMAN

Breaking into one market is hard enough! Conquering three of the world’s most competitive cities is something else entirely. Lina’s journey from the quiet charm of Vancouver Island to the energy of Toronto, the grit of London, and now the relentless ambition of New York isn’t just a modeling success story, it’s a lesson in resilience, intention, and self-belief.

Every city meant starting over. Every move felt like a reset. But instead of being paralyzed by the unfamiliar, Lina chose to see each transition as an invitation: a chance to grow, to reimagine her path, and to bet on herself louder than ever. From vocalizing her goals with agents, to showing up with consistency when momentum felt slow, to embracing the grind of rebuilding her book. Lina’s ascent wasn’t fueled by luck, but by quiet determination, a strong mindset, and the kind of grace that can only be learned the hard way.

Now, with a fresh signing in New York and a portfolio built across continents, Lina reflects on the power of patience, the importance of the right support system, and why sometimes the quietest moments in your career are the ones that prepare you for everything ahead.

Models of Canada: Lina, you’ve successfully transitioned from Canada to the UK and now to New York... both very competitive markets. How did you harness momentum during these pivotal moves, especially in unfamiliar environments?

Lina: Each move felt like a complete reset, but I tried to treat it as an opportunity rather than something to fear. When I left Vancouver Island and moved to Toronto, I was still so new to the industry figuring everything out as I went. By the time I set my sights on London, I knew it would be a major step forward, but also a huge challenge. I had never even been there before, but I was vocal with my agents about my goals and timeline. They believed in me and really pushed for me to make it happen, even when I wasn’t sure I could.

Being in unfamiliar environments forces you to grow quickly. You learn to adapt, to listen more, and to find your rhythm fast. I didn’t walk into London with a ton of momentum, it took time to find my place. But once I committed to building my book properly and showing up with consistency, things started to click. Now with New York, I’m just getting started but I’m coming in ready to gain experience, work hard, and prove to myself that I can thrive in this new chapter.

Models of Canada: Establishing yourself in a new market often means starting from scratch. What internal mindset or external habits helped you stay focused when it felt like no one knew your name yet?

Lina: Establishing yourself in a new market definitely comes with that “starting from scratch” feeling. But I’ve always reminded myself that I’m not really starting over… I’m building on everything I’ve already done. Every experience, connection, and lesson comes with me. What’s helped me most is staying focused on the work: being prepared, staying professional, showing up with a good attitude, and trusting that effort compounds over time.

Internally, I’ve learned to be patient with the process. I never expected things to take off overnight, and I think that mindset kept me grounded. When things felt slow or uncertain, I used that time to take care of myself mentally and physically and to keep growing. Whether it was practicing in front of the mirror, studying poses, or just staying healthy and present, I tried to see the quiet moments as part of the process, not a pause in it. Journaling my progress helped as well. It gave me perspective, and reminded me how far I’d come even when things didn’t feel fast.

Models of Canada: On the tough days, when castings didn’t go your way or self-doubt crept in...what did you rely on to keep going? Were there specific routines, people, or mantras that kept you grounded?

Lina: Tough days are part of the journey, especially in an industry where rejection is constant and often out of your control. On those days, I leaned into the things that reminded me of my why. Sometimes that was as simple as doing my makeup and taking cute pictures of my self, calling my sister, or reminding myself that one casting doesn’t define my worth or my potential.

I found a lot of strength in routine making time for things that made me feel balanced and confident outside of modeling. I’m six months into a year-long Pilates instructor program, and pairing that with modeling has given me a stronger sense of purpose, especially on days when I’m not working. It’s helped me stay mentally and physically grounded, and it reminds me that I’m always growing even when I’m not on set or walking into a casting.

Having a support system ,people who genuinely believed in me and reminded me of how far I’ve come. My parents, sister, boyfriend and other model girlfriends who are in the same position as me - made a big difference too. Modeling can feel isolating at times, but knowing I wasn’t alone helped me keep going.

“I would keep an open mind and remind my self to not take anything personally in this industry. I would tell my self something better for me is around the corner and to keep going”. That helped me release the pressure and trust that if I kept showing up, the right opportunities would come.

Models of Canada: You've just signed with a new agency in NYC (Congratulations!!!). What do you believe makes a strong agent or agency relationship, and how important is that team dynamic for a model navigating a global career?

Lina: Signing in New York has been such a meaningful step for me not just professionally, but personally. Entering a new market always comes with uncertainty, but having the right agency relationship can make all the difference. For me, it’s about trust, open communication, and mutual respect. I want to feel supported, but I also want to show up for my team to be someone they know is reliable, hardworking, and clear about her goals.

I’ve been incredibly lucky with my mother agents. They’ve been my biggest advocates from day one. I honestly didn’t think I was going to get signed in London at first, but they believed in me, pushed for me, and kept the conversation going until the right opportunity came. The same thing happened with New York. I was very vocal with them about my timeline and what I wanted, and because we always had open, honest communication, they were able to advocate for me in the right way and at the right time.

That kind of support system is everything when you’re navigating a global career. It’s not just about who can get you through the door…it’s about who walks with you once you’re in. A strong team helps you stay grounded, make smart choices, and continue growing with intention.

Models of Canada: Modeling can be emotionally and mentally draining at times, especially with the constant travel, judgment, and comparison. How have you prioritized your mental health through these changes? Keeping a strong mindset is so important! 

Lina: It’s so true! Modeling can be emotionally and mentally draining. You’re constantly putting yourself out there, facing rejection, judgment, and often comparing your journey to others. One of the biggest things I’ve had to learn is how to protect my mindset and keep perspective.

There were so many moments, especially in the beginning of my London journey, when I genuinely wanted to quit. I was still trying to build consistent clients, the cost of living was overwhelming, and I hadn’t yet found the right support system of friends to lean on. I remember thinking about going back to Canada more than once. But what kept me going was the decision to just keep showing up, even for the jobs I wasn’t excited about and trusting that it would shift if I stayed committed. And eventually, it did. Slowly but surely, things started to click, and I found my rhythm.

Now, I actively protect my mental health. Journaling, Pilates, unplugging when I need to, and staying connected to people who know me outside of the industry… things help me stay grounded. I’ve also learned to stop chasing perfection and start practicing grace. Some days are hard, but staying consistent, even quietly, is what’s carried me through.

Models of Canada: Were there moments when you felt lost or unsure of your path? What kind of guidance whether personal, professional, or spiritual helped you regain clarity? It's those quiet moments that mean the most.

Lina: Absolutely! There were definitely moments where I felt unsure of my path. Modeling is such an unpredictable job, and in those early days in London, I went through a lot emotionally. It’s funny because getting to London had felt like this huge, almost impossible goal, especially for someone who was still a new face and hadn’t been in the industry that long. When I finally arrived, I was so proud of myself. It felt like I had made it… but then it got quiet. Work was slow, and that initial high started to fade. I began questioning everything, whether I could sustain this, whether I even belonged here.

That’s when my parents really stepped in. Even though they had always hoped I might choose a more traditional path like school, a steady job - they stood by me 100%. When they saw me struggling in London, they gave me the reassurance I needed. They reminded me that this was just part of the process, and that my end goal was getting to New York and working with the brands I’ve admired for years was still in reach. Their belief in me, especially when I was running low on my own, meant everything.

Eventually, I started opening up to other models in my agency and realized so many of them had been through the exact same thing. That sense of shared experience was comforting, and it helped me stop feeling like I was failing just because things weren’t moving fast. It reminded me that struggling doesn’t mean you’re not on track. It just means you’re human. And the more honest conversations I had, the more grounded and supported I felt.

Models of Canada: Each market has its own aesthetic and expectations, often requiring models to rebuild their books from the ground up. What kind of emotional, financial, and creative investment does it really take to not only build, but continually rebuild your portfolio as you move between cities like Toronto, London and New York?

Lina: Each market has its own expectations, so rebuilding your portfolio isn’t optional, it’s essential. What works in one city might not translate at all in another. You have to adapt creatively and mentally every time you move.

I actually made the mistake of taking too long to get new pictures right when I moved to London. That really should’ve been my first priority. For about three months, I was stuck wondering what was happening and why the bookings weren’t coming through. Once I finally got my first really good test shoot, things started to shift, and I began getting booked consistently. That experience taught me how crucial it is to invest early and strategically in your portfolio to reflect the market you’re in.

The industry is more competitive than ever, and I really believe that as a model today, you have to spend the money on the right tests if you want to start making money. It’s a financial and emotional investment up front, but it’s part of taking yourself seriously. I know going to New York I’ll need to rework a lot of my book to land the kind of jobs I want in that market and I’m willing and ready for that transition.

Models of Canada: For models who are contemplating an international move or struggling in a new market, what honest advice would you give them about staying resilient, choosing the right representation, and finding their own voice in the chaos?

The transition is hard, especially when you’re coming from somewhere small, like I did. I grew up on Vancouver Island, so moving to a big city like Toronto was already a huge shift. Trying to build up my book there, then breaking into the industry in London, a foreign country I had never even been to was intense. I was alone, figuring it out as I went, and that kind of move tests you in every way.

But from the moment I left my hometown, I had a clear goal: New York. I knew I couldn’t jump straight there, so I mapped out a path and set deadlines. I chose London intentionally. I knew it would be a challenge, but it would also prepare me. Those timelines helped me stay focused and grounded, even when things moved slower than I hoped.

Finding the right representation is everything. My mother agents have been with me through every chapter advocating for me, helping me strategize, and backing me when I needed it most. Having people in your corner who see the long game with you makes a huge difference.

If you’re starting out in a new market, my advice is simple: trust your gut, stay vocal about your goals, and don’t wait for permission to take your career seriously. The industry is competitive, but there’s power in being intentional and in betting on yourself before anyone else does.

***Article cover photo by Chris Dwyer

Written by: Models of Canada

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