“Have Fun. Be Yourself. Do Your Thing.”
IMAGINE THIS.
She is 16. Fresh-faced, nervous, standing under a dozen lights in a cold studio. It is her very first test shoot.
She has never posed professionally. Never seen a moodboard. Doesn’t know her angles, her light, her power.
The photographer adjusts the lens. The stylist fixes her sleeve. The makeup artist steps back.
And someone says,
“Have fun.”
“Be yourself.”
“Do your thing.”
That is it. That is the coaching.
She nods. Smiles. Pretends she understands.
And quietly panics inside.
Because… what does any of that actually mean?
THE ILLUSION OF EMPOWERMENT.
We throw these lines at new models as if they are empowering.
But without context, without education, without emotional safety—they are just noise. Worse, they become a mask the industry wears to hide its lack of structure, its lack of mentorship, its lack of real care.
In most professions, beginners are trained, mentored, and given tools to grow.
But in modelling? We assume they will figure it out.
Or worse—we assume they either have it or they don’t.
That is not just unfair.
It is irresponsible.
WHERE WE ARE FAILING
We are failing young models in three key ways:
1. No structure
There is no universally accepted roadmap for becoming a model—just a fog of random advice, trial-and-error, and, for many, trauma.
2. No translation
Modelling is a language—of posture, presence, expression and energy. But we rarely break it down into teachable parts.
3. No safe spaces to learn
Shoots are high-pressure. Agencies expect instant results. There is little room to make mistakes, ask questions, or grow at your own pace.
Even the best coaches in the industry haven’t managed to translate the art of modelling into something systematic and digestible for a 16-year-old—or even a 21-year-old—starting out.
That has to change.
“Be Yourself” is Great.
BUT WHAT IF YOU ARE STILL FIGURING OUT WHO THAT IS?
Especially in the early years, a young model is still discovering her identity. Telling her to “just be yourself” without any guidance can be confusing—even damaging. Because she might feel like she is doing something wrong if she doesn’t instantly “get it.”
Real empowerment comes not from vague encouragement—but from education, direction and support.
WHEN “JUST BE YOURSELF” BECOMES THE ONLY DIRECTION
No wonder the biggest campaigns by some of the world’s most powerful fashion houses even today feature models laughing, twirling, half-dancing, or throwing their heads back in spontaneous “realness.”
It looks carefree. It feels fresh.
But beneath that aesthetic lies a broken system.
A system that:
- doesn’t train models to express emotion intentionally
- doesn’t teach physical storytelling
- doesn’t develop character work, body control or presence
- doesn’t believe modelling is a craft worth teaching
So instead, it captures moments.
Real or staged—it doesn’t matter.
The vibe replaces the vision.
THE ILLUSION OF “AUTHENTICITY “
The industry glorifies “being yourself,” but never helps you discover who that is within the context of your craft.
It leans on spontaneity because it doesn’t know how to guide expression.
It praises raw energy because it forgot how to nurture refined power.
But modelling isn’t just about being—it is about becoming.
Becoming the mood. The muse. The message.
Magic doesn’t come from chaos.
It comes from clarity.
From direction.
From preparation.
From craft.
IT IS TIME TO BUILD WHAT DOESN’T EXIST
Here is what the modelling world needs—urgently:
- Modules that teach the craft: Runway walks, camera connection, posture, movement, emotional expression, posing, interpreting briefs.
- Guides for parents: So they can protect and support—not hover or pressure.
- Mentorship: Ongoing. Honest. Kind.
- Feedback loops: Supportive. Focused on growth.
- Safe spaces to experiment: Without fear of failure.
- Documentation of best practices: Made public, made accessible.
WE DON’T JUST NEED TO FIX THE SYSTEM, WE NEED TO REIMAGINE IT
We are done pretending that the old ways were enough.
We need to build a new culture for aspiring models—one that is inclusive, honest, structured and deeply human.
We need every model to walk into a room not just feeling pretty—but feeling prepared.
Not just seen—but supported.
LET US REWRITE THE SCRIPT
So the next time a 16-year-old walks into her first shoot, let us not just tell her to “have fun.”
Let us show her what, why & how.
Let us teach her the language of advertising, communication, fashion.
Let us hold a safe space for her process.
Let us remind her:
You don’t have to already know. You just have to be willing to learn.
And this time—we need to actually teach.
A FINAL WORD
Don’t mistake us.
We know this industry—despite all its chaos—has given us some truly remarkable talent. Models who have risen despite the odds. Who have taught themselves. Who have found their way.
But when we zoom out, we must also ask:
At what cost?
For every story of success, there are hundreds of young people who gave up, broke down or disappeared silently.
Talents that were never nurtured.
Spirits that were never protected.
Dreams that were never understood.
They didn’t fail because they weren’t good enough.
They failed because the system wasn’t.
It is time we stop celebrating only the few who made it.
And start building a system that supports every aspiring model—
So no one has to stumble in the dark ever again.
At ASOTY, we are reimagining what model coaching should look like. Stay tuned.
