The process of going on stay as a model

Boy do I have an update for you… after weeks of holding it in I am thoroughly delighted to tell you all that I’m headed to Seoul, South Korea on a ten week modelling placement!

How bloody exciting! 

If you are a dedicated/ loyal reader of ‘With love, Mimi’ you may well be aware that last year I went to Tokyo, Japan on a ten week modelling placement that (not to be dramatic) changed my life. The experience for me was indescribably unique and left me with a severe sense of emptiness upon my return. 

Of course since my return to the UK ten months ago I’ve travelled, lived, laughed and cried, and yet nothing I do can even remotely compare to the abundance of happiness I felt in Japan.

Within that modelling placement I did things I never thought I would do, and lived an entirely alternate existence that was so enlightening my view of the world changed. The point is I changed as a person in more ways than one and I’m so grateful to have lived it.

Now I completely understand I sound like a lunatic to anyone who doesn’t know me personally because it's been ten months and I still won’t shut up about it but the point is that I am hopeful that Korea will also hold an abundance of brilliant memories for me. Let's keep our fingers crossed! 

Which brings me to the topic of today's post… filling you in on the preparation process for going on a modelling placement.

The Contract: 

Last March the groundwork was put down by an agency in Seoul when they expressed their interest in having me over for a placement. Now as I was in Japan at the time I was too scared to go immediately to Korea and be without my family for four months, so I politely declined. 

I can't wait to find my soul again in Seoul!

Again in June they requested again and stupidly again I said no. In hindsight I’m not even sure why but I think Korea just scared me slightly. Thankfully my best friend then headed off to Korea for three months and after using her thoroughly as my guinea pig she vetted it as an amazing experience. 

So I have now agreed and discussed details with the agency, meaning that almost a year later I am set to head to Korea in about a month - and I get to go with that same friend! Which is so fun because we will be able to live together and experience it together. 

The measurements:

Before finalising contract details you have to go through the humbling experience of having every single inch of your body measured. Something I’m now quite used to, however, when they do the most absurdly specific measurements such as the width of my neck or the distance between each toe. I am always weirded out by it because what could you possibly need my toe measurements for?!?!? WILD.

Earlier last week I had these measurements done and I defintitely didn't dress corrected because my baggy jeans were not cutting it! So of course I had to strip. I also hadn't realised how strict the Koreans are so my big scar on my elbow became a bit of a problem, but thankfully it was sorted with minor back and forth and everything was confirmed! 

The dreaded haircut discussion: 

It was after this measuring session my agency sat me down and gently expressed the need for a haircut. I'm strangely attached to my hair and any time they’ve pitched a significant chop before I have said NO and run away screaming (not literally, come on guys I am a professional - kinda.)

my inspo

So this time they pitched a two-inch trim and I was super chill with this. However later that day when they sent over an image of me with a big line drawn at boob level, marking a seven-inch chop not two-inches I stared in complete puzzlement.

After a complete meltdown I realised they have my best interests at heart and think this haircut will get me more work, so I guess I’ll see you with significantly less hair in a few weeks. 

The VISA: 

Now it’s time for the dreaded VISA application to be filled in and sent off. The VISA marks the 100% confirmation that you are able to go on the trip but securing a VISA, particularly a working one to any Asian country is actually very difficult because they are quite strict. 

manifesting

The Korean embassy also doesn’t even exist in the UK so I have to send my passport to Germany in order to get it approved - keep your fingers and toes crossed for me!

I plan on bringing you all with me as I step into this new modelling experience so please stick by me and keep up to date. 

With love, 

Mimi x