It’s not a surprise that school can be quite the handful. Whether it be looming deadlines, homework or stress–inducing tests, students may find it difficult to make the time to develop separate avenues. This can include jobs, family business or just free time. So how do they do it? Well for the answer, one could ask sophomore Eli Chambers, who not only found a way to work as a model but also is actively pursuing fashion design.
Eli Chambers’ entry into modeling wasn’t a conventional one.
“I got recommended by family members,” Chambers explained.
When his grandpa contacted some people in the fashion business, Chambers submitted headshots, and in about a year, he was finally in. Chambers’ job requires him to travel places, but fortunately, these locations are only about four hours away from him and can be accomplished by car or train. However, he does mention that a plane is required in some instances.
The job as he explains it is pretty simple.
“They dress you up in clothes they’re meaning to showcase, and then they tell you how to pose, what expression to have and take photos of you,” Chambers said.
After he is done with his photoshoot, a professional edits them. However, this travel can leave him feeling exhausted as Chambers explains that his modeling work is spontaneous.
“There’s some nights where I’ve gone at like 1 a.m.,” Chambers stated.
“Entire weekends sometimes, and, a lot of the times, they work you constantly, and then, like, I just pass out when I get home, and then I’m late for school in the morning,” Chambers explained.
This doesn’t stop him from also working towards his education as he still aims to complete his assigned schoolwork. If it ever so happens that an assignment is missed, he doesn’t bring up his employment as an excuse. He recognizes that the workload and lifestyle of modeling can be intense, and while he is committed, he understands why others might not be able to juggle it alongside their education.
“I have friends that I can’t ever hang out with because they have it [a job] on top of school, and they’re getting back at like, 11p.m. on a school night, and it’s like, that just sucks. You know what I mean?” Chambers shared.
Perhaps most intriguing, however, is Chambers’ dedication to fashion design. Modeling may have introduced him to the industry, but it’s clear that designing clothes is what truly intrigues him. For him, wearing stylish outfits and standing out is something he’s very passionate about. In fact, it’s this passion that he’s actively taking strides to achieve.
“To homecoming, I wore my own outfit, like something I made. [It’s] a part of a collection that I’m trying to release,” he explained.
It’s not only clothing he’s working on, though, but also accessories like silver sterling press-on nails. Chambers’ desire to merge his experience as a model with his vision as a designer suggests that he is carving out a place for himself in the industry, both behind and in front of the camera.
