This story is dedicated to my fellow models and all the other artists working in our alternative fashion wold. It might not be so interesting to others, but as it is a story everyone of us knows too well, I might be wrong.
This is a long story, longer than you are used to get from me, but bare with me to the end, it is worth it

I get a lot of comments and questions about why I'm so "negative" all the time, and many people seem to think that I am overreacting when I talk about what is happening behind the goth fluff and pretty faces. This story will show you how much I am actually sugarcoating everything. The truth is darker than you think. So, without further introduction, let me start.

Every model in our industry starts alone, more or less. There are no big name agencies or managers, talent hunters to spot and discover us. Those agencies that do exist, are made mostly on a friendly basis to help us find more work and support us in promotion, and very often they don't even do that. Mostly it comes down to just having their name or brand behind you, which might help you to some extent. But at the and of the day, you have to do everything by yourself- promote your page, IG and website, ask for support and return favors, socialize with everyone and anyone online, make connections, discover potential business partners and sponsors, send thousands of emails, handle thousands of crisis situations, manage all the competition and stress, and still find time to do what you actually do- arrange photo shoots and be a model.
Every model will tell you that the hardest part of all of this, is finding people , big names and brands, shops and designers who will put their trust in you and choose you to represent them, out of so so many other models. It is a daily struggle. I know many who have given up because of this.
Naturally, in all that chaos, everyone tries to fight for themselves, to find their own path and unique features and style that will set them apart. So there we are, the models, chasing the brands, or brands chasing us, and on the other side of this story are the promoters, equally important to all of us. Big pages and websites, big names in magazine and advertising industry, who we need to show our work. You can have the best photo in this whole damn world, but if you can't promote it properly, nobody will know that, and vice versa.
And the promoters know this, they know we need them so bad, and naturally, they set the rules. They get to choose who will be their cover girl, their most represented model, and who will get the most benefits from their influence online. They can make you or break you, and very often they are very impolite.
It is exactly in those dark waters full of arrogant and impatient "influential" people that I found a gem, a true angel. This person is a beacon of kindness and support and she helped so many of us not to get lost or drown when we stepped into deeper waves. Asking absolutely nothing in return, she helped me find more work, get in touch with big brands, find good people to work with. She put her years and years long and hard earned reputation on the line for me, and most importantly, she believed in me, day in day out. And I know so many others that she did the same thing for. And she has been doing this long before my time and she will be doing it as long as she believes we need her. And we will always need someone like her. Since I started my modeling career, I can say, without any exaggeration, that she is the only person who does so many things for others without any personal benefit from it. It comes from a pure heart and something that is such a rare thing to find- a true wish to help others and see them grow and succeed. No hidden intentions, no hidden motives or payback, not a single emotion but selflessness. I hope you got the picture what kind of amazing person I am talking about. And she has a small team of great people around her, who help her make all of this happen.
Recently, I have witnessed and heard about truly bad things that have been done to her and said about her. All done by people who took advantage of her kindness and built their careers with so much of her help and connections. They have tried to break her down because they know how much they owe her, and that they didn't make it all by themselves, which is something they want the world to believe. Pretty girls and kind goth princesses joined together in an shameful attempt to destroy something other people have worked so hard for. I have said this so many times, people in this industry can be horrible and will stop at nothing just to destroy competition and feed their envious hearts. The saddest thing is that they get their way. Very few people do their homework and run a check up on someone. A model can tell lies and people just take it as the truth. Because, well, she is sooo pretty and cute and looks good in photos. And believe me, these are not merely gossips or made up stories, I am talking about serious tactics and actions taken to destroy somebody's business and business reputation, lose contacts and break connections, steal ideas and take credits.
So, this is my plea, my well intentioned advice and message for shops and brands, please make sure you know the person behind the model , behind this imaginary character, before you decide to support them. Because one day, when you are no longer needed, the lies and harmful actions might come your way. We are all on the same side, we all want to work in peace and prosper in our business. These people are making our world a messy place and they are enjoying and taking advantage of our confusion while we try to untangle all their webs. Nobody likes to pick sides, but the truth is there are no sides. It comes down to just doing the right thing for all of us.
And for those who hurt and betrayed these good people, I have a message too- your true colors will show in time, you can't run away from who you are. There are so many of us that know the truth, and know who was there for them , and against all your ugliness and darkness, we will shine brighter than the Sun. And Karma will do her thing. Until that happens, I am out to get you
Sincerely
Kali