Jessica Clarke model on reality of the fashion industry

For many young girls, the modelling industry is a glamorous world filled with flawless figures, million dollar mansions and wardrobes most can only dream of. 

But New Zealand born Victoria’s Secret model, Jessica Clarke, says this is simply ‘fantasy’.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the 24-year-old London-based based beauty, who has walked from some of the world’s most elite fashion houses, revealed a candid insight into the trillion-dollar industry from her own experiences. 

‘So many people are trying to meet up with the expectations of the fashion industry and it just needs to be known that it is fantasy, there’s airbrushing, there’s $20,000 gowns,’ Jessica told Daily Mail Australia. 

Jessica Clarke (pictured) is an international model who has walked for Victoria’s Secret

The 24-year-old revealed what really goes on in the fashion industry after her own experiences

The 24-year-old revealed what really goes on in the fashion industry after her own experiences

‘Those models you see on the catwalk are like athletes, they really do put loads of work into looking like that, they don’t just wake up like that, no one just wakes up like that.

‘We train really hard, we eat healthy and that’s all part of the job.’

The 24-year-old says there is a stigma attached to the modelling world that natural ‘beauties’ don’t have to put hard work in.

‘I feel like nowadays… with things like Instagram it’s about ”this is my real life and it’s perfect, I’m always airbrushed” and it’s just not true. 

‘It’s always been something that’s not quite real and it’s not supposed to be taken to heart as much as it is today.’

Jessica is speaking out in a bid to offer an insight to the trillion-dollar fashion industry 

Jessica is speaking out in a bid to offer an insight to the trillion-dollar fashion industry 

She fears that the younger girls, including up and coming models, will buy into the ‘perfect’ facade which could be detrimental to their bodies or state of mind.

‘There’s so many girls, like younger models, that go into this world thinking that’s who they have to be, and it’s just cookie cutters set out by agencies of what size you should be, how you have to look and how you have to have no cellulite.

‘We don’t have to be those people because guess what? Us, the models, we’re not those people either.

‘On a good day I will have perfect skin but other than that there’s caked on make up, highlighter and all of that other stuff.’ 

The esteemed model was the first to walk the Victoria's Secret catwalk from New Zealand

The esteemed model was the first to walk the Victoria’s Secret catwalk from New Zealand

Jessica says that transitioning to styling has given her an opportunity to take some control back.

‘Styling is an amazing way to express creativity in the industry and how you put the clothes together.

‘I feel like making those decisions can make the models and the young girls so much more comfortable and confident, and also portray something to the rest of the world which is more real and it can be more of a wonderland than fantasy.’  

‘I think with styling, the pressures of being that tiny aren’t as great when a stylist like me can choose clothes that fit the girls and work with these girls who can make beautiful art instead of trying to squish people – who are all different – into one certain type of clothes and still look beautiful no matter what size you are, as long as you have the right size. 

‘You can create a trend or a vibe and I feel like that kind of resigned about the culture, that’s something that I really love because it brings the fashion industry back to what it actually is, it’s not real, it’s fantasy.’ 

Jessica has worked alongside many designers, photographers and artists – and she said she has the utmost respect for them.

‘They are the stars and the reason the fashion world is such an amazing wonderland.’

She said the models you see on the catwalk are athletes who pour loads of work into looking like they do 

She said the models you see on the catwalk are athletes who pour loads of work into looking like they do 

The modelling industry is a glamorous world filled with flawless figures, million dollar mansions and wardrobes most can only dream of but all is not as it appears at face value 

The modelling industry is a glamorous world filled with flawless figures, million dollar mansions and wardrobes most can only dream of but all is not as it appears at face value 

After hailing from humble beginnings in Palmerston North, New Zealand, Jessica doesn’t overlook the chances she was given or doubt how lucky she is to be able to go as far as she has.  

‘I had a really rooted upbringing, so I always stayed genuine, luckily I have my mum and dad, and my brothers and my cousins who always shoot me down if I get too cocky and my friends from Palmerston North.’

She spends her time working and studying between New York and London, with an occasional visit to Australia and New Zealand, with her boyfriend Rufus Taylor, who is the drummer for The Darkness. 

Jessica said that despite the perks of her job, she isn’t chasing the approval of others, she just wants it to be known that it isn’t all as it might appear at face value.  

‘A lot to do with luck and timing, there’s a lot of times where I doubted if this was what I wanted to do.’

She said young women, who are still teenagers, might not be prepared for the industry. 

‘When they think this is who they have to be, it’s such a massive thing to have put on you, I am not saying 19-year-olds don’t know anything, but you’re still trying to figure it out, you really need to know who you are.’

Jessica has made friends who are renowned for their stunning beauty but she says they too suffer at the hands of pressure 

Jessica has made friends who are renowned for their stunning beauty but she says they too suffer at the hands of pressure 

Jessica says no one is immune to feeling the pressures of the fashion world, not even the models 

Jessica says no one is immune to feeling the pressures of the fashion world, not even the models 

Although Jessica isn’t afraid to admit she has a lot to learn, she said she is passionate about the industry.

‘No one is perfect. We are all here for a good time not a long time. Be weird and happy and embrace our differences,’ she said. 

She encourages others to be something they can believe in, imploring others to: ‘Take risks and be brave.’

With a string of successes worldwide, including a lucrative commercial modelling career which allows her to fly under the radar, she has made some friends who are renowned for their stunning beauty, but everything doesn’t always meet the eye.

‘I know some people in the fashion industry and can’t name names, but some of those really talented people, they might look like they ”have it all” but they find it hard to be in front of everyone’s prying eyes, and it’s just as hard for them not to feel the pressure.’  



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