The purpose of a model is to make people feel something. That was one of many essential pieces of information I learnt at Coco Rocha’s Model Camp in New York… and I challenge you to watch this video of Coco on a shoot and not feel anything.
You felt it, right? It got to you too? Of course it did. This is supermodel Coco Rocha, known as ‘The Queen of Pose,’ and I was lucky enough to watch that shoot live.
Supermodel, Coco Rocha, known as The Queen of Pose
So how on earth did I end up in the presence of such epicness? Well, I was taking part in an editorial photo shoot with the phenomenal Zuzia Zawada when I mentioned I wanted to improve my walk. Runway is the dream destination for my modelling career and I’d started making strides towards that goal with an appointment to get the new Taleo Adjust foot that would allow me to wear high heels.
Zuzia suggested I attend Coco Rocha’s Model Camp where they focus on signature runway walks, alongside:
- Dynamic posing
- Photo movement
- The art of emoting
- Branding for models
- Social media content
- Industry pitfalls to avoid
- Dealing with agencies
- Negotiating with clients
- Expectations vs. realities
It sounded incredible! I applied online and was accepted. My initial chats with the hugely supportive CRMC – Coco Rocha Model Camp – team, consisted mostly of: I have a prosthetic leg… are you sure Coco knows? Are you sure Coco will be able to help me? But my leg??!! I obviously panicked enough for Coco herself to message me and assure me that she personally approves all applicants and she’d been through my Instagram and knew all about my leg and story. Wow! This Supermodel…
…this Supermodel had looked at my Instagram. The fashionista with over two decades of experience. I suddenly remembered some of the stupid stuff I had on my page:
Hey ho! I was in! So out I flew to NYC. 3 weeks from Zuzia’s suggestion and I was there. I’m all for grabbing opportunities and seizing the moment. When you’ve been through something like I have you realise life is short, and you should say yes to absolutely everything. The communication from the team was fantastic. Everything was so well organised and the whole camp ran perfectly.
Coco knew exactly what to do with me. From the orientation:
To the posing:
To the runway:
Coco was there helping me every single step of the way. She genuinely is one of the most wholesome people you could ever wish to meet. She’s real, she speaks the truth, and she told me I could. She told me I can. And guess what? I believed her.
The whole experience was just a whole bunch of fire emojis. The other models were so friendly and there were three other girls there my age.
Not only did I learn about how to improve myself as a model, I learned loads about the industry and everything my agency should be doing for me – how much commission they should be taking, and how I should take more ownership of the future I want. It was truly empowering to say the least. More importantly – maybe – was the fact it was fun! I mean, the whole camp was so much fun! The CRMC assistant team, and Coco herself, were always so full of energy and support. Each night was themed… Cocktail, 80s and Island:
Shoot Day was a definite highlight – I actually realise as I’m writing this that I’m lying… it was a highlight, but every single day was a highlight, every single session was a highlight, every single discussion was a highlight. There were no best bits as the whole camp was one gigantic best bit… but yes, shoot day was truly epic:
I now have two more images to add to my book:
EDITORIAL TEAM: Coco Rocha, James Conran, Jeanie Stehr, Caroline Fiss.
GLAM TEAM: Carolyn Cina, Christina Delfino.
ASSISTANT TEAM: Alyssa Bacon, Leah Ruane, Sophia Massad.
I also have a 100 point action plan that I’m working through every day – one of Coco’s fantastic initiatives that you’ll have to find out about for yourself by going on camp. I’m practicing my posing, my walking, my faces, and my emotions. I want people to feel something when they watch me too.
The fire that I had within me has now exploded into a roaring inferno with a blistering desire to become the world’s first above-knee-amputee supermodel walking all the fashion weeks around the world. (I know we have other amazing amputee runway models but they have knees, it’s easier with knees 😉)
I want to become the world’s first above-knee amputee supermodel
But seriously, all the words in this blog can’t convey what a magical experience CRMC truly is and what a magical woman Coco Rocha truly is… so here’s a final video instead:
