New Faces in New Places: Mimi Models in Seoul
Welcome to the beginning of my 75-day Korean modelling adventure (currently 60 days in)
For the next 10 weeks I’ll be documenting my life working as a model in Seoul - the castings, the jobs, the model apartments, the chaos, the homesickness, and all the strange little moments in between.
This series is the very unfiltered reality of modelling abroad. Not just the glossy photos you see online, but the behind-the-scenes: panic attacks at airports, chaotic jobs, navigating a new city, and slowly figuring things out on the other side of the world.
I'm going to be sharing absolutely EVERYTHING so if you've been looking for a ruthlessly honest, unfiltered fashion insider I'll gladly fill the role.
Think of it as a weekly diary from the fashion industry’s slightly unhinged side.
Week 1: Mimi goes to Seoul!!!
My first week modelling in Seoul was equal parts chaos and comedy -- panic attacks at airport security, six strangers in a model apartment, and a tiny dog licking my toes on my first job.
Jet lag, castings, chaotic industry moments, and my first glimpse into what modelling in Korea is actually like - it’s all in Episode 1 of my Seoul diaries.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 2...
WEEK 1:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 2: Booked & Busy
Between back-to-back castings, a few last minute jobs, culture shocks and chaotic flea market adventures, I’m finally settling into Korean life - funky water, freezing shoots and all.
This week’s diary is a very honest, very funny glimpse into what being “booked and busy” abroad actually looks like.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 3...
WEEK 2:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 3: Aoife's Arrival
Week 3 in Seoul was a whirlwind of unpredictable castings, industry highs and lows, and the long-awaited arrival of my best friend Aoife.
From surprisingly slow castings to peaceful Han River walks and a chaotic first night out in Itaewon, this debrief reflects the emotional rollercoaster and uniquely intense bonding that comes with modelling placements abroad.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 4...
WEEK 3:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 4: Buddhism & Campaign Shoots
Week 4 in Seoul was equal parts peaceful and completely chaotic.
From exploring Buddhist temples to embarrassing myself at castings, and finishing it all off with an exciting campaign shoot where I had to juggle lemons!
The reality of modelling abroad isn’t always glamorous.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 5...
(half-way point!)
WEEK 4:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 5: Exploring and Reflecting
Week 5 in Seoul was a slightly slower one.
Less castings, more time to think, which is always a dangerous combination.
A mix of vintage shopping in Hongdae (with mild emotional damage), coffee shop productivity, a confusing Chanel-inspired shoot, and finally taking myself off to Gyeongbokgung Palace for a few hours of calm!
Not the busiest week, but one that was very fulfilled and enjoyed.
Link below to read!!!
Sunday: Work Day & Castings
WEEK 5:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Vintage shopping in Hongdae
Friday: Guyeongbokgung Palace
Casting BTS & Korean BBQ
Midpoint in Seoul: The Reality of Being a Model Abroad
Midway through my Seoul placement and somewhere between thriving, spiralling, and becoming weirdly immune.
Think: model apartment politics, a continually empty fridge, a best friend turned city-wide celebrity, and me... calmly convincing myself I could be the next big thing by next week.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 6... crazy!
Week 6: Hiking, Cover Shoots, and Van Cleef
Moving into the second half of my time in Seoul and I'm only now realising how much I haven’t done!
From cherry blossoms and an unexpectedly intense hike to shooting my first ever jewellery editorial (and COVER!).
This week was everything all at once - stress, surreal, and stunning.
Link below to read!!!
ONTO WEEK 7...
WEEK 6:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 7: From Unemployed to Uber Employed
A week in the life of a model in Seoul - and the emotional whiplash that comes with it.
From zero work to no time to even shower, this post dives into the reality of placement life: chaotic jobs, early call times, and the odd feeling of being appreciated and belittled.
Also sharing my extracurricular from last weekend... including making my own perfume, temple visits, and journaling a lot.
This week holds a mix of fashion, fatigue, and a bit of fantasy.
ONTO WEEK 8... wtf
WEEK 7:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 8: Three jobs, a Hike, and New Friends...
Uber-employment continues - huzzah!
Week 8 included three jobs - one of which was THE most traumatic job I've ever done. Two of which were lovely and with wonderful teams.
In between castings, I managed to explore more of Seoul and actually enjoy it. I hiked, caffeine(d) , and even made some new friends. You can read all about my tragic, sweet, funny, traumatic week below - 5 min read!
ONTO WEEK 9... penultimate
WEEK 8:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
Week 9: Buddhist Temples to Balenciaga
Week 9 in Seoul started with five hours wandering around the National Museum of Korea taking notes like my life depended on it, and ended with me dressed in Balenciaga SS26 inside a conceptual fashion shoot on a tennis court.
In between there were vintage shops hidden around Mangwon, overwhelming fabric markets, chaotic food halls, peaceful temples, and one very bizarre day spent trapped inside a glass box for a shoot with Parker.
My penultimate week did not disappoint. 6 minute read below...
ONTO WEEK 10... FINAL
WEEK 9:
REVIEW IN IMAGES
The Process of going on a Modelling placement...
After weeks of keeping it quiet, I’m finally sharing my next big update - I’m moving to Seoul for a ten-week modelling placement starting in March!
From contracts and measurements to visas, haircuts, and the emotional build-up, this post takes you through exactly what preparing for a modelling placement really looks like.
DITL: Buying Intern at Anthropologie!
Day in The Life as a fashion buying intern at Anthropologie - trend forecasting, sample development, competitor research, jewellery organisation, and even an unbelievable sample sale.
If you’re curious about what a buying internship is actually like, the daily workload, the perks, and the behind-the-scenes chaos of a real fashion office, this detailed intern diary breaks it all down.
Vera Wang didn't start until she was 40!
In a world obsessed with early success and perfectly curated lives, Vera Wang’s story is a reminder that there is no correct timeline.
She didn’t design her first wedding dress until she was nearly 40 — and went on to build one of the most influential fashion empires in the world.
This post is for anyone feeling a little lost, behind, or unsure of their next step. You’re not late. You have time.
2026 - The year we become delusionally optimistic!
This year I’m choosing to be unreasonably, almost comically optimistic.
Not ignoring reality - just refusing to shrink myself to fit it.
2026 is for wild goals, slightly delusional confidence, vision boards that feel larger than life, and trusting that if I back myself, the universe will meet me halfway.
The Met Gala 2026:
Theme Predictions...
With the 2026 theme still under wraps, I’m diving headfirst into my dream predictions.
Gothic Glamour with the upcoming release of Mary Shelleys 'Frankenstein'.
Or perhaps Surrealist Schiaparelli, to celebrate the mind of Elsa Schiaparelli.
A focus on celestial mystique and astrology, or my personal favourite ... meet your muse.
Which would you bet on? Get ready for drama, opulence, and the most imaginative red carpet yet.
Nineteen, Confused and totally fine...
Nineteen is a strange age! Old enough to feel pressure, young enough to still have no idea what you’re doing.
I thought I had it all figured out… until I didn’t.
Here’s what happened when I let go of my “plan” and learned to be okay with feeling a little lost - because we literally have the entire world at our fingertips!
