My daughter is a fashion model… Part 1

Where do I begin? A mother with a normal family doing normal stuff. Oldest daughter performing well, just approaching GCSEs with plans for A-Levels and then University, a real passion for maths. But then things changed…

So began the rollercoaster ride that we as a family have been experiencing this past year. Lois had been shopping in town with her brother, nothing unusual in that, when a foreign lady stopped her and asked if she would like to enter a fashion competition – the main prize being a modelling contract.

That would immediately ring alarm bells with any parent! The agency had a catwalk set up in the middle of the shopping centre, so she went along. Many girls were invited. Lois could not stay until the end to find out who were the favourites, so she left them her email address and thought no more about it. An exciting day at the shops though!

A few days later, Lois received an email saying that she was one of three the agency had selected. Would she like to attend the semi-final? After a bit of research, I found they are a very reputable London Agency. Lois is a terrible tomboy but was very excited regardless.

A month later, I came home from work to find message from the agency. I plucked up the courage and rang. They loved her and wanted to offer her a contract despite the results of the competition! I was in shock. As she was only just 16, we went to London to meet them after she finished her GCSEs.

We had no idea what to expect. They seemed like lovely people… all gushy and, “you’re daughter’s so beautiful”, talking about well-known designers and exotic places. They gave us a contract to look at, but no more idea than that. The semi-final of the competition took place at a very prestigious London hotel. Hundreds of girls were there, some quite young. It was nerve racking, but fun, with the girls all having their hair done, photographs taken and walking for judges. It ended well for Lois, who made it to the final 10! But it was heart-breaking for the girls, who really wanted to be models but did not get through. I felt for the parents who would be left picking up the pieces. It is one part of the process that I always struggled with. These girls are picked out from the crowds, they have their hopes built up to be dashed and the model agency walks away.

The final involved the girls spending five days at a London hotel, without their parents (but chaperoned by agency staff). They were pampered and photographed, culminating in the final at a West End nightclub. Family and friends were invited. It was very exciting. When Lois came out on the runway I barely recognised her! Her hair, the make-up, the clothes – she looked incredible, but she didn’t win the competition. We all felt a bit down. To our amazement, the head of the agency said they wanted to sign her up.

Shortly after when we were on holiday, my mobile rang on the beach…