Its my pleasure to introduce Alicia Rountree, the most successful Mauritian model ever. You may have read the article I wrote last week about her in Le Mauricien , which was a portrait and general overview of her and her career at the moment. You'll get all that info and much more right here, right now!
Model Measurements and Information:
Current Agency: One Management
Height: 5"9 ( 1m 75 cm)
Bust: 33" ( 84 cm)
Waist: 23" ( 58 cm)
Hips: 34" ( 86 cm)
Dress size: US 2
Shoes size: 8
Age: 25
Has worked with: Victoria's Secret, Ralph Lauren, Chanel, Abercrombie & Fitch, Roxy, Quicksilver, Macys, Bloomingdales, Calypso, Saks, Next, J Crew, H&M.....
Advertisements and campaigns: Heineken "The Boss's Daughter", Harfields, Sauvage, Tommy Hilfiger, Corto Moltedo Campaigns, Yamamay Campaigns amongst others and she just shot Guess campaign and True religion jeans campaign before coming home to Mauritius.
Website: www.aliciarountree.com
Spokesperson for the charity Water Thirst Today.
Alicia is also part owner of Tartinery Restaurant in New York.
The questions I asked her were more to do with her career presently, so I added an extract in her About Me section found on her blog so you know how it all started.
From what I can see from your blog and on your website, you have always wanted to be a model. How did that become a reality?
I was first scouted by Select in London when I was 14, but my parents thought I was too young. And I agree. You are still a child at 14.
Were you scouted or did you go directly to an agency?
I was scouted several times by different agencies.
How much work was involved into making a name for yourself?
It can and usually is a long and slow process, when you start out you have to go on a lot of 'go-sees' and meet clients and photographers, and traipse around going from appointment to appointment all day, everyday. The first impression is everything. You have to always be on time, look rested, be friendly and be confident in yourself. It's not always the prettiest girl who will get the job. If you are chosen, the client will be spending the day with you, and sometimes a few days so they want to have someone with a good personality and who is easy to work with. Also, you must remember that you will not book every job, you must be prepared for a lot of rejection and you can't take it personally if you aren't chosen. If you don't have the image they are looking for, there's nothing you can do about it. You need to be at the same time dedicated and ready for let downs. The key is to never let it affect you. Nothing is wrong with you. Someone else will love your look and book you. Also you need to know the direction you want your career to go in and focus all your energy into taking the right steps to achieve what you want.
Are connections that important to the industry? You turned up with Nicky Haslam to Vogue's IT Fashion! party back in 2001, which really created some buzz. Would your career have evolved this quickly without having been so well-connected?
It didn't evolve that quickly! I wish it had! It took a lot of years of hard work and determination to get to where I am now. It has been a lot of ground work in many different countries, especially the fashion capitals of the world: London, Paris, Milan and New York. As my mother always says: drop by drop....
From model to actress and also part owner of Tartinery restaurant, how do you manage coping with it all?
I love everything I do! I live a healthy lifestyle and have a positive outlook on life, and I organize my day in such a way that I find time to do the things that are most important to me.
What about your passion for acting and your evolution as an actor?
I have been studying acting for 5 years now, doing acting courses in between jobs and a lot of night classes! Watch this space!
Is there a special health/fitness routine that you stick with? All the travelling and fatigue that come with being a model must take its toll on your health at some point!
When I'm home in NY I go to the gym, take boxing classes, and have a personal trainer that kicks me into shape! When I am travelling I always bring yoga and pilates dvds to practice on location. It's important to stay in good shape and be healthy. As a model, you make your money with your looks. I am obviously not super-woman, I do have days when I don't feel like doing anything at all! I also try to make time to go to the spa and get a facial and a massage to relax from time to time when I can.
You have modelled for around a decade now. How do you view the 'walking clothes hanger' aesthetic that has now dominated the industry? You are obviously very athletic and not stick-thin, but do you feel pressure to be this way?
There will always be pressure, the key is to always stay true to who you are. In modelling, there are different looks, shapes and sizes. For me, the most important thing is to be healthy. Don't compromise your health for anything.
Any memorable experiences working with designers/photographers?
My Victoria's Secret shoots are always memorable because the team is like your family and everyone chosen feels a kinship in being chosen and is enthusiastic to make the shoot a success. I have met countless remarkable people throughout the years. It is a wonderful industry and I have had the privilege to meet and work with some of the most influential people in the business.
Many people think that modelling is a world marred with eating disorders and drugs...
There are people with drug problems and eating disorders everywhere, I haven't noticed a greater percentage in the modelling industry. Unfortunately it is something many people suffer from.
Models come and go very quickly now. How do you cope with that and how do you stay on top?
I have a lot of regular clients that ask for me now, I have worked very hard to establish myself in many different countries. The important thing is to be professional and dependable. The business is very cut-throat and if you aren't prepared to work any time, anywhere, someone else will be.
Is there anyone in the fashion world who you really look up to or particularly identify with?
Elle Macpherson and Heidi Klum are both great business women that have created empires through their personality and entrepreneurial spirit, they have become a brand recognized the world over. I feel a similar drive in that I would like to return to my little island and create a fashion line of my own. I'm bursting with ideas and have developed skills over the years that would be perfect for expanding the fashion industry in Mauritius.
Is there anything that you particularly love or hate about the fashion business?
I love working with such creative and talented people. It's a great satisfaction to work towards the perfection of a timeless photograph. Modelling has enabled me to visit countries and places that I never thought I would see. The downside is that you have to be very flexible with your social life. I can never plan anything, the second I do I get a call and am booked on the next flight out and have to change my plans! You never know where you will be from one day to the next. You are also often alone. You need a strong head on your shoulders if this is the career you wish to pursue. The call-times can be very early, I have had to wake up at 3am numerous times to be ready for hair and make up to catch a 5am sunrise (and that was after arriving at the hotel at 12am after a long flight).
How do you see your career evolving in the near future? Any plans?
My next step will be to spend more time in LA and attack the film industry!
Any favourite beauty/health care products? Lifestyle tips to a better body?
My favorite beauty products are from a brand called Oskia, it's all natural and does wonders for tired skin. I sometimes take Oenobiol hair pills to give my hair vitamins and supplements they need as well as a miracle hair mask from Leonor Greyl. You have no idea what my hair goes though! It is important to take care of it. I believe you are what you eat. Be kind to you body and try to feed it naturally and organically whenever possible. A great tip is to try to keep stress to a minimum as well!
The 'modelling industry' here has just started to develop. What is your advice to anyone here (on this tiny, remote island) on making it as a model internationally?
Never give up on your dreams. Stay humble but never stop believing in yourself- whatever anyone may say to you. In this industry, 90% of success is showing up and being open and professional.
Most models here work as freelancers, that is they try and bag contracts using their contacts and other methods. Does that even exist internationally? How important is an agency for the development of a model's career?
It's fundamental, it is hard to meet the right people if you don't have an agency sending you out. They also deal with all contract negotiations for you.
Do you think that someone wishing to pursue a modelling career who is less than 1m75 and not as thin as the standard 34-24-34 should still try and pursue it?
In general the industry requires tall and thin models, but there can always be exceptions. Remember that Kate Moss is 1m72! There is also a market for plus-size models.
The most famous models are paid big money, but if a model is just starting out financial circumstances can be very difficult. What would you suggest to a young girl entering the industry who doesn't have any financial backing (that is her parents can't afford to pay her rent or whatever and she may need a second job to pay bills)?
The good thing about being a model is that the food budget is very low. I'm joking!!
On a serious note, your agency can advance you some money to start off, which they do because they are confident they will make you money. It's hard to have a second job because you must be available to go anywhere at any time, at the drop of a hat.
And finally.....
I'm lucky to have a very supportive family and that my parents, Paddy and Elizabeth have always stood by me through all my decisions, even when it meant I would have to live far away from them for many years. And... always stay down to earth, nobody likes a Diva!
Have an absolutely wonderful week and weekend!
xoxo
Alex
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/StyleMauritius
Twitter: @StyleMauritius
Email: Stylemauritius@live.com
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/StyleMauritius
