How to Handle The Critique

If you have any idea what the modeling industry might be like you probably have seen a few movies, or reality tv series in regards to modeling or fashion. You probably haven’t actually seen it first hand and if you have you will understand where I will be coming from throughout this writing.

Blast From The Past

Before I get into what I mean about “The Critique” I want to bring you back to my first ever experience as a model. My first booking was with a well known brand, I don’t want to necessarily state their name, but you will get the picture. We were preparing for a show and were being fitted for what we were to wear. There was a rack of clothes towards the back and some of the models were rummaging through to see what is what, myself included. There were baggier clothes, tight fitted clothes, sweat suits and some looks with only a crop top. Everything of course is so chic and trendy. It was time for the stylist and director to sort through the clothes and pair talent to the outfits.

The women talent were asked to get in a line at the front of the stage. The stylist and director started whispering to themselves and looked up at us and said, “raise your shirts so we can see your stomach.” Looking around at the other models slowly lifting up their shirts I did the same and flexed as hard as I freaking possibly could. I started hearing from a distance, “yes… no… no… yes..” The voice slowly came closer to me and I was so nervous that I would get a “no..” with my breath held and my tummy tucked in, I got the “yes” and was given a look with a crop top. In that moment I realized that I was flat out being put into a box of crop top girls because of one thing.. I had abs. I could only imagine what the girls with a “no” were thinking if I was feeling the way I did by getting a “yes.”

The Turning Point

I didn’t really know how to take the whole situation. It was all something I was not familiar with. I wasn’t used to being critiqued on my body type, or the way my hair was or how clear my skin was at the time. It was genuinely heartbreaking the first time I witnessed this and it allowed me to understand why this industry is full of beautiful people that are filled with insecurities that stem from clients, agencies and society's views on models. We are human too, humans with feelings that aren't perfect by any means. We are put into this box and are held to such high degree because models are supposed to be perfect. From our size, to our skin care routine, to the way we present ourselves on social media, simply perfect.

A lot of castings and jobs you have to mentally prepare yourself to be critiqued. And for the record, I am talking about critiquing physical features not performance. You have to just remember not take these critiques personally, even if it does strike a chord. Stand confident in who you are and know that they booked you initially. They chose you, so they like at least one thing about you to have you on set with them. It is easier said than done to not take it personally. But do your best to keep your head high but also, realize it is okay if it shifts your mood. I really wish I could change this stereotypical view that models have to live up to. I wish I could help bring light to this atrocious idea that models have to look a certain way in order to be successful. I am tired of the measurement requirements and the views that society has of models. It doesn't have to be this mentally draining for models to live up to this hype that is deemed as a successful model. So modeling agencies all over the world and clients that hire us daily, let's do better. Let's be inclusive, encouraging and supportive. Cause day by day you are slowly critiquing a human being that is doing their best to be approved and not rejected in such a cut throat industry.

xx Tayler Fettig