Karla Devine

As one of only a handful of internationally successful New Zealand models, Karla Devine has spent much of the last 4 years travelling from one major fashion centre to the next. Recently she returned home to spend some time with family and friends - and generously agreed to interupt her brief holiday for a Bullet photoshoot and interview. Two days after the shoot Karla was back on a plane to Sydney (where she was based for 2008) to pick up her belongings before moving to New York.



Let's start at the beginning - how were you discovered initially? Was it a deliberate move on your part to become a model, or were you simply scouted on the street?

It was definitely more of a deliberate move on my part. It was just something I had always wanted to do, but never really knew how to go about it. So after hearing about Clyne Management, I sent them an email asking what to do, followed by some photographs of myself, before heading up to Auckland (from my hometown of Taupo) to sign up. Things were pretty quiet to begin with, until i was discovered by Marissa Findlay who gave me a huge push in the industry and a lot of help at New Zealand Fashion Week 2004.


What were your first impressions of the industry? Was it what you expected?

I had a fantastic first impression of the industry. I found everything so exciting and enticing. In all honesty I didn't have very many expectations of the industry as I knew so little about it, but any impressions I did have were well exceeded. I think I was one of the lucky ones and everything ran so smoothly for me initially. I had a lot of good luck on my side. I also think I was fortunate to be starting out with modelling in New Zealand - everyone was always so kind, friendly and helpful. I never really saw any negative aspects of the industry that I now know do exist.


How have your perceptions of the fashion industry changed since then?

After travelling and working in other markets around the world you definitely do get to see a lot of the downsides of the industry. I think if I had started out modelling in Paris or New York my first impressions would have been completely different. Also, like most things, you adjust to situations and your surroundings.

The environment is more real and normal to me now, so unfortunately I don't have the same excitement I once had. It has become more of a job for me now and you begin to see things for what they really are. However I still absolutely love modelling and count myself extremely fortunate to be doing this for a living, and to be offered all the opportunities that I have. And on the really big jobs that same excitement does return!


What do you enjoy the most about the profession?

I absolutely love the travel. I've had so many opportunities to travel to so many different places - and a lot of freedom to pick and choose when or where in my case. And I'm constantly meeting amazingly talented people in my day to day life and having the opportunity to work with these people in their creative element. Work wise, I’d have to say I really enjoy catwalk. Give me a runway over a studio any day.


And what do you like least about modelling?

 I think I'd have to say the rejection, and having my life put on hold constantly. I've learnt to try and not make too many plans (or at least not to count on them too much) because more often than not things will change. The amount of times I've planned things, and changed them, and changed them back, and so on - it's ridiculous!

Quite often you will be put on 'hold' for a job and have to give up other things in case it comes through - and then the hold will be released. Often this includes travel, so I would have just gone and booked a flight and then all of a sudden I have to change or cancel it.

But at the same time there is certainly an aspect of this uncertainty that I absolutely love. I hate routine and working 9 to 5 in an office is not for me. Currently in Sydney I generally get a call around 5 or 6pm telling me my work schedule for the next day - or sometimes that I have the day off. I think this is great, as long as I don't have any plans!





How would you describe the role of a fashion model in today’s media saturated world? Many people would dismissively categorise models as nothing more than walking clothes hangers – do you think this is a fair assessment of your profession?

No not at all. I think it is a very ignorant and unfair judgment, and I'm sure that anyone who has any involvement in this industry would know there is a lot more to modeling that just looking pretty. The role of a fashion model is not just to display clothing and merchandise in advertising, but to work closely with the photographers and clients to produce something that connects with the target audience. Models need to have more of an in-depth understanding of what is going on behind the camera, and what message is trying to be put across.

Beyond being photogenic, it is about trying to convey an idea to the public. I think this is the difference between simply ‘being a model’ and actually knowing ‘how to model’. There is skill required that I think a lot of new models lack in the beginning, and that I probably did too. It takes a while to learn and to really understand what you're doing beyond having the ability to look good in a photograph.


In recent years top fashion models have come under fire for portraying unrealistic body image ideals. Personally, I think models simply make for easy targets, while the real issues involved are far more complex and stem from wider societal problems. What are your thoughts regarding the portrayal of women in fashion publications and campaigns?

I completely agree, models are all too quickly used as the scape goats in all of this. I think the models are blamed as they play the most visible and recognisable role in fashion advertising. Many critics don't think to look further into the media process of today. The silly thing is that whilst everyone is going around pointing the finger at the models, they too are being affected just as much by unreasonable expectations, if not more so.

This is a complex issue that would require a fair bit of time to explain. Suffice to say I think that notions of beauty are used to influence women for a variety of reasons, some more sinister than others. The lack of diversity in mainstream media creates an often unattainable notion of ‘the perfect body’ or an ‘ideal woman’, which many find difficult to escape or ignore - especially impressionable young girls. But models aren't reponsible for the editing decisions and image manipulations that are largely responsible for these unrealistic ideals, so why should we be blamed for any adverse effects caused as a result?

Better education about the media's methods and practices is the only way to combat this issue. I would recommend people check out Dove's 'Campaign for Real Beauty' commercials. They show how manipulated mainstream beauty imagery has now become, and how young women are constantly bombarded with these distorted ideals.


I understand you already have ambitions for life after modelling – care to share?

Of course! I understand modelling is a very short lived career and I definitely do have a few things up my sleeve for later on. But for now I’m in no hurry and am more than happy to focus on modelling - I'll take advantage of all it has to offer while im still young. However, my current favourite interest is journalism which I am looking further into at the moment, as well as exploring on my own accord.


Do you think your modelling experience will help with your future career goals?

Absolutely, I think there is so much that I have learnt from modelling and from my travels that will be very valuable to me later on in life. Also, depending on which career path I choose to follow after modelling, it should definitely open many doors within the fashion industry and beyond with all the invaluable people I meet through work.






Credits
Interview: Aaron K
Photography: Aaron K
Make-up & Hair: Maza White
Model: Karla Devine at Clyne


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