A model’s life may look glamorous from the outside, but in reality, people don’t see the hard work and dedication that freshman Alexandra Lenarchyk has to put into balancing school and modeling. Alexandra has been modeling ever since she can remember and has been signed with an agency since she was two. She says that being a model adds a lot of variety to her schedule, but some things remain the same from day to day.
The first thing that Alexandra does after hearing her alarm go off is wash her face, brush her teeth, and do her skincare routine. She emphasizes the importance of having a good skincare routine, especially in the winter when her skin tends to be on the drier side. The first activity that Alexandra typically starts her day off with is exercise. After she is done getting ready, she heads to the gym. Her workouts consist of a brisk walk on the treadmill, more cardio, pilates, and stretching.
Alexandra’s most recent modeling gig was during New York Fashion Week. When Alexandra has an event in New York City, she usually likes to spend the night there to ensure she will get good rest and be prepared for the show. Although hectic, she still describes this event as one of her favorite experiences as a model. Her call time for this show was around 2:00 p.m. and the show started at 5:00 p.m., so she made sure to eat a healthy lunch before heading over to the show to make sure she was energized. Typically, Alexandra shows up to her events at least 15 minutes early to get settled to do her hair and makeup. After hair and makeup, she heads straight to the shooting location or venue.
On-site, Alexandra finds the designer that she will be walking for and quickly gets changed into her outfit. Once all the models are dressed, the designer and their team will go over the lineup and positioning instructions while the models are on the catwalk. After all of this, the only thing left to do is walk.
This particular show took an unexpected turn when it was delayed by two hours. Alexandra said that this is not totally uncommon and gives models an opportunity to take their heels off, relax a bit, and talk with one another.
Alexandra likes to set her walk to the beat of the music. When she gets to the end of the runway, she strikes two to three poses and walks back. Alexandra described the adrenaline rush that kicks in after making it backstage. “It is an amazing feeling and one I never get tired of,” she said.
After shows, Alexandra enjoys going out to fancy restaurants to celebrate. To her, being able to take some time to decompress and reflect on the excitement of the day, while in the company of good friends, is one of her favorite parts of modeling. The first thing she does when getting back to her hotel is shower, take off her makeup, and change into something comfortable. Finally, it’s time for her to go to bed after a long, exhilarating day.
Balancing school and modeling at such a young age is not for the faint of heart. Alexandra shared one of the many lessons she’s picked up along the way: “Always put yourself out there for opportunities,” she said. “They don’t just walk up to you and wait for you to take them. You have to go for it.” Despite encouraging people to take risks, she stresses that you shouldn’t do something that makes you feel pressured or unhappy. So, when you find yourself chasing your dreams, remember that the journey isn’t easy but try to seize the opportunities before you and do what makes you happy.
