It's more who you know than what you know

Hello Fashion fuckers, I am very happy to be back with a new article. I have in my previous post already talked about models I loved and all but I wanted more I wanted to talk to one and I got the chance to interview a freelance model named William Norton (Wills) and this interview is just amazing. 

I was at first a little afraid because I didn't know if he would answer to my request because I don't really know him personally, but he was really nice and accepted to answer to my questions. 

I really wanted a british model because I think that Britain is the best place to find models, they have the most interesting face and for me William is one of them, his face is really fresh and cool for me! That's why I chose him. He is freelance (if you don't know what is a freelance model you will have the definition in the interview) and I really hope that he will make it to the top!

 I am not going to spoil anything, I will just leave you read it and enjoy it as I did. 

Oh I just wanted to add that I agree with everything he says!! 

Introduce yourself, please. Who are you? Where are you from? How old are you?

My name is William Norton, known as Wills; I'm 19 from Northamptonshire, England.

Can you explain for those who don’t know, what is a freelance model?

A freelance model is basically just an unsigned model, so I don't have an agent to represent me and find me jobs. So it's harder to find well-paid work, but a lot of my clients find me through websites, networking and a lot of recommendation from clients I've previously worked with. 

 It is sometimes cool to be freelance because you can organize your time as you like, right?

Yeah! I have a couple of part time jobs as well as my modelling, so being freelance means I get to talk to clients directly and let them know when I am available or when I need to change work, it means I have full control which I like and I get to talk through concepts and details before we shoot. I think it's good to build a bit of a relationship before you shoot. 

please click on the link bellow to see the rest of the interview 

 How did you become a freelance model? Do you like it?

Over time a couple of people asked me to model for them now and then, and I always wanted to model but never really got anywhere because of my height (which is why I don't have an agent) but as I did more shoots and started to build my portfolio, more people got to know my name as I made contacts which lead to more work. I like being freelance, but at the same time it unfortunately means I don't get to hear about the big money jobs and shows. I find that networking with people and building relationships really gets you places. In this industry, what I've found so far is, it's more who you know than what you know.

 What would be a normal week for you?

I’m not sure how to answer this question cause I have a very normal (pretty boring) life haha so you might want to take this question out. But I had a bit of a go at answering it haha...

I don't model nearly as much as I'd like so I also work in a coffee shop through the week, but if I do have a shoot then I'll usually meet with the photographer or client a couple of days before just to confirm everything and make sure we are agreed on all the details. I will often also meet with the stylist to do fittings and make sure we don't need to get any more outfits.

 What models do you look up to (freelance or not)? In other words who is/are your favourite model(s)?

As far as a role model, I really like Portia Freeman. She is a classic beauty and has such a talent for taking, amazing images, she's simply stunning. Not only is she an awesome model, but a mother and wife too! She is such an inspiration and a really lovely girl too, I had the privilege of meeting her when I was interning at Premier in London in September. 

But as far as models go my favourite (female) model has to be Lara Stone, I love her unique look. She has a spark about her that just makes her special.

 What do you think are the most important qualities that a model must have?

Models must have a range of different qualities but most of all, in my opinion, they must be happy and easy going. Modelling allows you to go places, wear clothes and do all sorts of things you wouldn't be able to in any other job, so you have to be open minded and just enjoy it! You should be: 

Punctual and hardworking, a shoot can last from anything from an hour to 3 days, so you have to really want to do it. 

Open minded and easy going, a lot of shoots will require you to do things you wouldn't usually do, like attempting to put in contact lenses, stripping down at night in a field in January - surrounded by fireworks, or jumping into a river in late November! But they are all things that I have loved doing and have achieved fantastic pictures/films in the end, let alone the memories I have. 

Also, I've found that if you let the makeup artists and designers do what they want, the final product will look amazing (compromise is always an option though, I never do anything I'm uncomfortable with).

How do you see your future in the fashion industry (not only as a model but other things)? Do you think that you could become a journalist for instance or do you have other plans?

I would LOVE to see myself modelling full time for the next few years, but because of my height, some clients want taller guys (I'm 5ft 10). But I'm also very interested in other aspects of fashion, so I'm currently considering going to university to study Fashion Marketing and we will see where that takes me!

 Male models that are casted nowadays are more and more skinny, what do you think about that?

Hmm this is a hard subject because a lot of people have very strong views on this. I personally think that as long as the models themselves are fit and healthy then it is okay, what a lot of people don't seem to understand, is that the majority of models are naturally very slim, some people can eat whatever they want and not gain any weight. 

I can however see it from the other side, in that the designers are not always presenting the best body image for kids to aspire to, but at the end of the day it's their concept and they design the clothes. In reality, a model is merely a way of showing the designer's work.

 Do you have brands, photographers, models that you dream of working with?

I would really like to model for Vivienne Westwood or Alexander McQueen. They are both classic British designers that just keep producing amazing collections year after year - I really love their individual styles. If I got to model for either Westwood or McQueen I'd be a very happy guy! 

A photographer I'd love to shoot with, hmm Maximilian Rivera. He is a really amazing photographer, I know he usually shoots women but everyone says he's good fun and awesome to shoot with, he really gets to know his models before he photographs them. 

I've not really thought much about other models I'd like to work with, but to name a few off the top of my head... Danny Carr, Lara Mullen, Morris Pendlebury, Lara Stone, Molly O'Connor, also, I think it'd be awesome to have an identical twin of myself to shoot with! ...is that weird? Haha. 

 Do you think that England is the best place to involve in the modelling industry?

I think London is one of the best places to be a model, there is so much talent and potential here and the industry is always growing. Otherwise, if I had to choose somewhere else, I'd love to go to New York and Paris.

 Would you like to come to Paris?

It would be amazing to go to Paris! I've never actually been to real Paris (only Disney a couple of times as a kid haha), it looks like such a beautiful city and has some real quality talent when it comes to fashion. Also, I'd get to meet you! Haha.