Winter Swan

Silje was about to introduce herself when through the clear glass wall, she noticed a loud black man walking outside the room. He was wearing a pair of leopard patterned pants and a fur scarf.

He was talking to someone loudly.

"They said they didn't like our model, so go get them another one. Don't we have an elegant and professional model that'll impress that difficult editor?"

Silje couldn't believe her eyes as she watched the familiar man. She stood up slowly and walked towards him as if she had seen a ghost.

The man was still chatting with someone when he finally noticed her. He grinned.

"Oh, look who we have here! I've seen you before."

He took off his sunglasses and after a few seconds, he smiled widely.

"Oh, you are the girl I met at the nightclub. Aren't you impressed that I remember you? I never forget a face. By the way, what took you so long, little girl?"

Silje didn't know why, but she immediately burst into laughter. Looking at his exaggerated tone and gestures, she couldn't help it. It was a surprise for her to feel this glad to see him again.

He smiled as well and waved her toward him.

The man always wore his sunglasses even indoors.

His name was Klare Paul Carsell, one of the biggest casting managers in the fashion industry.

***

"Why are you staring at me like that? You came to see me, right? So what do you think you're doing? You need to go to your audition."

Klare hurried her in his growl-like voice.

Klare always wore his black leather jacket and he had tons of hair. He enjoyed wearing wide-legged pants and only listened to hip-hop music.

He was definitely very unique. Klare used to work as a designer and as a stylist. Famous fashion magazines often consulted with him.

Everywhere he went, he was surrounded by his bodyguards. Klare loved sweets like macarons and cakes with black coffee. After Silje signed on with his company, she learned that Klare took good care of his models.

"Who? Tatiana is going to Roberto Cabali's audition? Then Silje should go too."

This was his style. At first, Silje had a difficult time getting used to his blunt and spontaneous ways, but she now appreciated it. He meant well, and he saw potential in her and helped her in many ways. She felt thankful, especially because her old agency didn't do anything for her. They mostly ignored her, and so Silje felt appreciative of Klare's interest.

With Klare and his agency's help, Silje began to be noticed in the fashion world.

She had only worked as a substitute model, but things were changing slowly.

"Silje, you went to Philip Lim's audition recently, right? We got a call and they loved you. They found you very modern, which is exactly what they were looking for. They said they don't need a second look. You are hired, so you need to go to Philip's office and get fitted."

"Philip Lim?"

Silje couldn't believe her ears. It was even more confusing because Klare was eating very colorful macarons and telling her this news nonchalantly.

"Yeah, Philip Lim. Go see him in person. It would be great if you get to go on the runway for him. Go now and get your measurements done, alright?"

Philip Lim was one of the top up and coming Asian designers along with Alexander Wang and Derick Lam. To work for someone like him…

Silje couldn't believe it.

Until recently, she was working as a substitute model. Yesterday, she was worrying about her rent and food.

Now, this was happening.

"Yeah, Philip Lim. Get a cab and go now, okay? I don't know why your eyes are so wide like a surprised rabbit. Just go now so you aren't late."

Klare stared at her as he waved goodbye. Silje nodded and left quickly.

This was how he worked. Klare was acquainted with the most famous designers and photographers, and he could arrange auditions with them frequently.

Klare also liked to test his models.

He chose Silje because he saw huge potential in her, and he wanted to find out right away if he was right about her.

To see if Silje was worth investing in.

Philip Lim's audition was one of the many tests Klare gave her and in the end, Silje was able to get the gig.

This was only the beginning. After successfully working with Philip, Silje was able to model for other famous designers as well.

Slowly, Klare began to trust her ability.

After her successful photoshoot for the Metropolitan Fashion Magazine, Klare finally took Silje in as his protege. He sent her to the most exclusive auditions with his top models, but even as she began to gain experience, Silje never stopped studying. She read as many fashion magazines as she could whenever she got the chance. She needed to study different poses and facial expressions.

'I still have a long way to go. Look at this photo… How can someone pose like this? This is a work of art. Famous models can provide different poses for every click of the camera. Compared to them… My body is still too stiff and rigid. To be able to move like that and be so expressive… To become a top fashion model, I still have so much work to do.'

Silje knew this was only the beginning, but at least she now had hope. She could see the light at the end of the tunnel thanks to Klare.

"If you need help, let me know."

She was tempted by Niels' offer when she called him, but she was glad that she didn't take it.

If she took Klare seriously at that night club and went to see him right away, perhaps her life would've been easier. She could've been hired by IMN immediately.

However, the terrible time she had as a new model only made her stronger. Silje knew it was going to help her in the long run. She believed that her current success was due to her hard work and struggle.

Meeting Greg and learning from his advice… The walking lessons from Jung Yun…

If she jumped into the modeling world right away believing Klare would take care of her, it would've been a mistake. She wouldn't have made it.

She learned so much from her experiences and now, Silje was sure she could make it.

Finally, one winter day, she went to audition for the Denmark designer Niels once offered to introduce to her.

All on her own.

Christian Lozetti. The designer for the most famous brand, Sherian.