The art of being a live mannequin

Models are more than just powerful struts, ethereal bodies, flawless skin, and fierce looks. After all, take away the dazzling looks and they're flesh and bones just like the rest of us.

And before they ever graced a fashion spread or became cover girls, they worked their butts off in pursuit of their ambition.

Fashion models Pauline Prieto and Jasmine Maierhofer, who started their careers as models as adolescents, had to go through difficulties to become life-sized mannequins in the big and catty world of fashion.

“When I got into this, I wasn’t taking it as a joke or as a hobby. I took it seriously,” Pauline asserts. She was scouted when she was just 13 years old by photographer Doc Marlon.

Pauline Prieto believes that there's a sense of escapism in modeling. "I don't dress up, but when I model I dress up," she said. Photo by Cholo dela Vega

Pauline was still in high school when her mom booked her for the Collezione (a Filipino retail brand) fashion show. This was where celebrity stylist Liz Uy noticed her modeling potential.

Now a 20-year-old fashion model, Pauline has a different perspective on the modeling industry. "When I'm on that stage, you're not supposed to know my name. I'm basically a mannequin. That's a job,” she said. “That's the reason why I find it funny why some people think that fame can come from this.”

“Modeling for me, especially in photographs, is like human sculpting. Your body is moving in ways that it doesn't normally move. You're stretching yourself in ways you don't normally stretch and you're projecting something that isn't you. That's the art of it," she added.

Admittedly, Pauline, living by the Prieto surname, experienced discrimination within the modeling industry from her colleagues and other fashion forces.

“You put modeling in a hierarchy. They are way above me, so to be discriminated by them is really daunting,” said Pauline. “I just decided that if I can’t do anything about it, I might as well just prove them wrong. I’ve already been bullied my entire life, I think I can do it again.”

Pauline is not like most models in the country. She had picked up the overseas modeling vibe when she worked abroad. “Girls would go to work with wet hair, big shirts, torn-up jeans like they’ve probably been worn for days and flip flops, they go to work like that. I took that mindset and I go to work like that.”

When not working, Pauline Prieto's fashion sense is laid-back. “When I was modeling abroad, girls would go to work with wet hair, big shirts, torn-up jeans like they’ve probably been worn for days and flip flops. They go to work like that.” Photo by Mac Macapendeg, GMA News Online

“Here, on the other hand, everybody wants to be praised and have the camera on them, and you know, put in a pedestal, and everybody will praise you. I like that anonymity when you’re abroad. Isn’t that the mystery of choosing to be a model?”

After numerous magazine editorials, magazine covers, and fashion shows, Pauline does not aspire to be famous. Rather, she’s invested a lot in loving her craft and chosen career.

"I don't understand why so many people lust for this idea of fame that they think you could get it when you're a model. But I don't lust for fame, I lust for the art behind it,“ she said.

The breakout star

Jasmine, before she became one of the most sought-after models of her generation, didn’t think she was the prettiest in the bunch.

Just like every woman who went through puberty, Jasmine started modeling with a bad case of acne, which left her feeling depressed.

Jasmine modeled for Rajo Laurel's Parisian line last year at SMX Convention Center. Photo by Mac Macapendeg, GMA News Online

“I could feel that the makeup artist didn't want to do my makeup because of it and other models didn't want to kiss me on the cheeks whenever they see me,” she confessed. “I even cried in those situations. I hated mirrors at that time. I hated seeing my face full of acne.”

However, Jasmine was determined to break out of this emotional rut. She would rather start feeling confident and concentrate on doing a great job.

“I take good care of my skin and body since it's my job to look good in pictures and in runways. I visit my dermatologist more often and watch my weight, though I don't exercise. I just eat less rice and more greens and drink lots of water,” she said.

Jasmine Maierhofer has modeled in Turkey, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Malaysia. Photo from Jasmine Maierhofer's Facebook account

Nowadays, Jasmine, who walked for known fashion designers here and abroad and was featured in different magazine covers and spreads, is enjoying her journey as a model.

“Being a model means being true to your inner goddess. I'm doing the work with all my heart, mind, and soul. I put all my effort to my work. And if you love what you're doing, then you'll never get tired of doing it again and again.”

Jasmine is at the peak of her career and is clearly one of Philippine fashion’s finest faces. It was an achievement that was difficult to fulfill given the unusual scrutiny concentrated on her physicality.

“I act normal and stay true to myself and whenever people look at me, I think that they're just appreciating God's work, or they think I'm so abnormal with my height, some even think that I'm a gay [man],” she proudly affirmed.

Success is not being hungry for fame

Jasmine and Pauline, both under the Mercator Model Management, Inc., are both successful in their careers given the number of work engagements they've notched. With all that, they’re just thankful for the opportunities and both of them are well aware that their careers are temporary.

“I'm not hungry for fame but I'm hungry for experiences. Since I'm working with beautiful species I need to take the urge to be beautiful as well. I hate working with people with such bad attitudes. I hope they change for the better,” said Jasmine.

Moreover, these Filipina top models are not competing with other models. They are concentrating on improving themselves, and this may be one reason why they are household names in Philippine fashion.

“You'll always have to struggle to be the better version of yourself but don't lose your core person because you can always become better. You know who you are, just be a better person of yourself,” Pauline concluded. — DVM/HS, GMA News