Nowadays, unfortunately, the modelling career refers to a vague concept coupled with false myths and legends, distorted criteria and insufficient understanding of the subject! The development of the world as a whole and in every aspect, lead to a change in the modelling market. This in turn led to a broadening of the scope of work and the opening of new possibilities in the world of fashion! The results are inevitable and entirely natural, given the pace at which the world has been developing in the last couple of years.
My name is Elena Vasileva and I am an actress. For the last year or so I have been happily “engaged” to Alia Models’ family. Going back down memory lane, I realise just how much my life has changed in the last few months. What started as a pastime has now become one of the main driving forces in my life!
If I am honest with you, I have never liked the modelling profession. That is probably because I had heard the phrase: “Oh, you are so tall, you should be a model!” so many times while growing up. As if this is not genetic and I just happen to be taller than other people. This does not make me a model.
However, upon entering the modelling world, I realised how much effort is needed, be it physical or mental. All this lies behind the glamour of show business. Modelling has become a big part of my life since fairly recently. I did not realise how big the scope of interaction between modelling and acting is. In movies and theatre the character portrayed shows a particular attitude. It turns out that this is also the case in photoshoots! Most people think that you simply stand in front of the camera and everything happens on its own. In reality, the model has to recreate a different image and attitude in each photo, which in turn influences the audience. This is howI understood that my personal strength in modelling lies in my acting skills.
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Thanks to Alia Models I was given the opportunity to reach beyond the Bulgarian market and everything that was familiar to me (e.g. food, habits, religion and culture), beyond my own view on life and most importantly - beyond my comfort zone! At first glance, people will think that this is a dream job for anyone without realising how many inner and outer battles every model fights on a daily basis. One of the best things in the modelling profession is the possibility to travel and learn more about ourselves and the world!
How does this happen? For those of you who might not be acquainted with the practice of modelling agencies, this information may be valuable. Every model has their own mother agency, which holds their rights for signing contracts with third parties, etc. Should the model agree, the mother agency can lease its rights to other agencies abroad for a certain period of time. This is how I had the opportunity to travel to Athens, Greece at the end of 2021. The city became my temporary home for a few months.
Thanks to Alia Models, I had the opportunity to sign a contract and work with the most amazing professionalists in the modelling industry in Greece. I will always remember my first work engagement in Athens. I had just started working as a model and I was not aware of what I had to do when I arrived at the studio. I was completely taken aback. The photographer noticed that something was off with me and he asked me if playing some music would put me at ease. He then played an awesome 90s pop playlist. I then got to meet the whole team of professionals, who were all young, positive and incredibly funny. They helped me immensely and we took some great photos whilst having a party. In time, Greece became more of a home to me. I formed wonderful friendships, experienced personal and professional encounters. I got lost in admiration of sea views and I fell in love with Greek cuisine!
Some time after that, modelling brought me to Cyprus where I had the opportunity to take part in a photoshoot for Lifestyle Pop magazine. The task was to represent their cause in support of strong women. During this adventure I had the chance to meet and travel with an amazing person - Julia Mitsova, who is also part of Alia Models. Together we were able to admire the beauty of the whole experience that Cyprus has to offer.
I am currently starting the new year 2022, in Istanbul, Turkey, where I will be represented by Mona Models. I am full of new energy, dreams and ambition to work. Here I have the amazing opportunity to get to know a completely different world and a new way of thinking. In the megapolis where I live now exists a spectrum of different traditions, religions and dreams. I feel completely insignificant. I am exploring the great new innovations of the modern era, tall glass skyscrapers, huge mosques, veiled women, luxurious restaurants near the Bosphorus, the small local doner places and the kiosks selling simit bread and roasted chestnuts. Seeing all of this everyday a person learns to better understand the unknown and what seemed distant, to quickly adapt and respect everything that we do not completely understand.
In each place I visit, I always leave a piece of my heart and the emptiness that is left is filled with an abundance of experiences, exciting new friendships, tasty food, new knowledge of the world, countless memories, and a few memorised Turkish words and phrases! There is a quote by Susan Sontag that I really love: “I haven’t been everywhere but it’s on my list!”. I don’t know where life will take me next but I am sure that wherever it is, I will go there with all my heart. I would like to thank the amazing Kirilka Hristova, who is always beside me, although virtually and Alia Models for giving me the opportunity to love what I do and do what I love.
I know that everything seems perfect at first. It is clear that all nice things have a price to be paid. The highest price, in my view, is the fact that I am away from my family. I have participated in birthdays, family celebrations and even a wedding via video calls, thanks to technology. I substitute tasty pizza, burgers and cakes for fruit, vegetables and a lot of exercise in the gym almost daily. I do not complain because I believe that if you wish to receive you must give.
All in all, I would like to say to all girls and boys, who wish to be part of the modelling business that there is nothing wrong or bad about it. There is nothing ugly nor beautiful. It is all simply a point of view. Dare to dream!
Author: Elena Vasileva @aliamodelsagency
Model: Elena Vasileva @aliamodelsagency
Photos: personal archive Elena Vasileva, Petros Dellatolas
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