WANT TO BE A MODEL? YOU CAN’T BE INSECURE, AND DON’T BE FAKE
As Professional Models Association of the Philippines marks its 30th year, five of its top new faces dish out on the fashion industry
Lou Yanong, a fourth-year Entrepreneurial Management student in Meridian International College, dreams of pursuing further studies abroad after she graduates. She describes herself as real, chill and fearless. She started modeling professionally at the age of 15. She loves to paint, being outdoors, and spending time with her family. What is modeling for you? Modeling isn’t easy. Be-
ing a model means being able to show something beautiful without saying anything. It’s more than just about looking good. Modeling is bringing art to life.
What has been the biggest challenge you faced so far, and how did you deal with it?
I was an amateur beside all these professional models. I was 15. I tried to dress the way they did and tried to act the way they acted. Soon after, I lost myself. I realized that simply being myself matters.
What is your advice to those who want to start modeling? I’m still learning. But what I learned for the past five years is to have a solid identity. People will push you to do things that you aren’t ready to do. Knowing yourself and your limits is extremely important. Also, have confidence. We all have our own insecurities, but a professional model would know when to keep those insecurities in a bottle and work with his or her flaws. What are your tips on selflove and confidence?
What I do is I list down everything that makes me happy, and things that make me rather uncomfortable, and try to work around those. Sometimes our weaknesses turn out to be our strengths as well.