just fell into it,” Harriet begins. “It wasn’t

like a lifetime dream or goal, it was just

something I woke up one morning and

decided to try.” However, she admits that

she was looking for a little self-confidence.

“I’ve fought with depression and anxiety

for about 5 years, alongside battling on

and off with an eating disorder. I needed

a hobby to give me something positive to

focus on so that I could overcome it and

feel happier in myself.” Modelling can

be considered ruthless and unrealistic,

often giving people a false depiction of

the ‘perfect woman’. This leads to stick

thin models skipping meals and being

slimmed down even more on Photoshop.

However, this is not something Harriet

stands for. Working against this trend,

Harriet uses modelling as a reason to feel

comfortable in her own skin, rather than

a reason to start losing a few pounds.

“Modelling is the best thing I’ve ever done

for my confidence. On bad days I look at

some of the images and achievements

I’ve worked on and feel a bit better.

Everyone struggles with certain aspects

of themselves and their confidence, but

I’m a much stronger person now than I

was before I pushed myself out of my

comfort zone and tried modelling. I >>

celebrities, who plaster our TV screens,

billboards and glossy magazine covers.

These people live in a separate world

to the average person. They spend their

days followed by the paparazzi, attending

the latest fashion parades, and receiving

6 figure sponsorships from the leading

clothing and cosmetic brands. This

brings us to one conclusion: no normal

person will ever become a model. But the

problem is that this is simply incorrect.

Anyone willing to put in enough effort

can work their way up the ranks of any

industry – regardless of their background

– and modelling is no different.

This crucial piece of information is the

backbone to Harriet Isobel’s modelling

career, the 18 year old from a small

village in North Devon. Harriet may live

200 miles away from London, but has

not let this put herself at a disadvantage,

and has dove head first into the world of

modelling.

“To begin with I had no real intention or

aspiration to become a model, I sort of

Words: Juliet Sawyer Photos: Stuart Green

Spring 2016 06

Fashion

Keen, creative and confident: three words to describe Harriet Isobel.

e only see modelling as an

achievable career for the

likes of Cara Delevigne, Kate

Moss, and all the other A-list

feel so much better for braving that first

step, and won’t ever look back.”

As a modelling newbie, Harriet began

researching the industry, and established

her first few contacts. “Once you’ve

worked with as little as one or two people,

you’d be amazed how quickly your name

gets out there.” Her work varies from

modelling for an anti-bullying campaign

– which Harriet feels “immensely proud

to be involved in” – to modelling at The

Big Sheep Amusement Park’s wedding

show (yes, that included wearing bridal

gowns on the death slides, trampolines,

and what not. Who wouldn’t want to do

that?) Harriet’s work may be nationally

and internationally published, but it’s not

all about the scale of her achievements.

Harriet also sees modelling as something

to do for herself, explaining, “Modelling

is a focus and a way for me to be creative

and express myself. Photoshoots give me

something to plan and look forward to,

and seeing the finished result of a shoot

is always a proud moment.”

Social media plays a huge role in

Harriet’s modelling, which she describes

as “a powerful tool.” She explains, “if

you can build a big fan base, then bigger

companies are more likely to want to

work with you as you have already made

yourself recognised.” With over 8,000

likes on her Facebook page, social media

became a gateway into modelling, giving

Harriet the chance to contact people

she’d probably never get to meet in real

07 Spring 2016

life. “It’s not what you know, it’s who you

know, and coming from a small village

like me, social networking and access

to the internet are two key factors to

getting known and making progress.”

So what’s next? Harriet looks very

optimistically into the future of

modelling. “Progression is always being

made and new regulations on height

and weight discrimination are coming in

all the time. Different body types, body

shapes, weight, height, gender, race etc.

are all now able to access the modelling

industry more easily than before – which

is how it should be.” On the contrary,

there are of course challenges when

it comes to modelling too. “It can be

extremely competitive and isn’t always

easy to make your own mark, but it’s

the same as any line of work – if you

are good at it, it will show. Life would

be boring and pointless without a bit of

competition, you just have to play nicely.”

And so it seems that that the only way

is up, and perhaps now is one of the

best times in modelling. Young, creative

minds are taking the first steps in a new

generation of fashion. New boundaries

are being set and rules are being broken.

If anyone is curious about getting more

involved in the industry, Harriet advices

you to “do your research and keep your

head held high. It’s not always the easiest

industry to work in but if you have a

passion, utilize it.”

Spring 2016 08