Being a model isn’t just about lights, glamorous clothes, selfies, and beauty; as well as many people don’t realize that to become a model, you don’t necessarily have to be conventionally beautiful – you need style, grounded energy, and the readiness to handle anything, especially when it comes out of nowhere!
I started slowly, when I turned 18, living in Athens, and my only goal at that time was to make some money on the side, so I wouldn’t burden my parents. If someone had told me back then that I’d shoot for Vogue, or travel for work to New York, Milan, or London, I would’ve laughed.
It all began with some local jobs in Greece, walking from casting to casting like a soldier of a fashion battlefield with my portfolio in hands. Then a modeling life brought me to Dubai and New York, where I’m still based for now, followed by having photoshoots for editorials at Vogue, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Sorbet, Emirates Woman, and recently the editorial for David Yurman. Each of the modeling jobs taught me something new. Every failure, every casting that didn’t work out, was still a step forward. And every backstage, every house party with other models who became friends, became a part of the journey.
One morning in Milan, I had an early casting at 8:30 a.m. I had prepared the night before – set my alarm, picked out my outfit, mapped the location. It made me feel like a pro. Until… I didn’t hear the sound of my alarm. I woke up at 8:45 a.m. with my phone vibrating like crazy the agency had been calling nonstop: “Where are you? They’re waiting!” Panicked, I jumped out of the bed, threw on a jacket, grabbed my bag, brushed my teeth in 30 seconds, and ran out of the apartment. When I arrived and saw my reflection in a glass window, I realized something horrifying: I was still wearing my pajama pants! Not the fancy satin ones, but those loose ones, obviously slept-in pants that screamed: “I just woke up and haven’t even had coffee!” The casting director looked at me, blinked, then burst out laughing: “Is this your fashion statement for today?” I smiled awkwardly and said: “Yes Milan meets pajama. Bold, right?” Then we all laughed, and the casting ended up going really well and I ended up booking the job!
At that time I used to live at the model apartment, together with five other models from different corners of the world: Greece, Brazil, Russia, South Korea, and Poland. Instead of going out every night (which would have destroyed our budgets and heels), we started a tradition: each night, one of us would cook a traditional dish, with the music from her home country, and try to give everyone a taste of her culture. It started as a cute idea but quickly turned into a competition. The Brazilian girl cooked feijoada and taught us how to dance samba in the kitchen. The Polish girl made pierogi and DJd early 2000s euro-pop. The Russian girl made blini and played their strict traditional music. When it was my turn, I couldn’t resist making a classic pita souvlaki and played bouzouki. By the end, the hallway had turned into a dance floor. The Korean girl made kimchi fried rice, and by the end of the night, we were full, laughing, and dancing to K-pop. We learned so much about each other not through the runway shows or photoshoots, but through spices, old songs, burnt pans, and our awkward dancing.
Here are some of my practical tips for traveling models:
Dress like a pro. Always carry nude underwear, heels, a comp card, and a little black dress. These four will save you countless times;
Google Maps is your best agent. Pin your locations the night before and take screenshots because you never know when internet connection might drop;
Be kind, not competitive. You’ll meet models from all over the world. Some will become lifelong friends. Others will be your strength on tough days. You’re not opponents you’re on the same side;
Sleep > Party. Fashion Week parties are tempting, but your 5 a.m. call time in full glam will remind you of your choices;
Always bring snacks and water. Castings can last for hours. A protein bar can feel like a 5-star meal at the right moment. Hydration is everything.
Modeling has taken me to places I never imagined! It’s tested my confidence, my patience, and definitely my feet. But it has also given me hilarious memories, lifelong friendships, and a global perspective I wouldn’t trade for anything! If you’re a new model reading this, remember! It’s okay to feel lost sometimes both literally and metaphorically. What matters the most is keeping your sense of humor, staying grounded, and always walking with confidence… even if you’re wearing pajama pants!
The post Alexandra Papagianni: Spices, Burnt Pans, and Awkward Dancing appeared first on The Fashiongton Post.