Katie Bishop

March 25, 2008

Katie Bishop in Belle
photo: George Whiteside I'm slowly starting to realize why so many young girls come to countries like this, and leave with fallacious impressions of reality. The partying, being driven everywhere you need to go for castings, getting things paid for you all of the time... that is; if you have the right connections.

Don't get me wrong, it's a lot of fun, and has provided me with opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise, but I recognize the difference between a free ride and reality.

Models seem to be caught up in this lifestyle, almost seemingly never wanting to leave it, minus a few exceptions.

For example, I had a fully paid spa treatment from a dear friend of one of my girlfriends last week. As amazing as it was, I couldn't help but sit back and realize I should enjoy and be thankful for this treatment, but that it's not always just around the corner offered in open arms.

Something interesting I learned while at the spa was that if you have a tattoo, you cannot receive a spa treatment when in Japan. Why? Because they believe that if you have a tattoo, than you are part of the mafia, therefore your entry is denied. Crazy, huh?

Speaking of interesting facts, I'm finding myself wandering around the city, picking up crazy amounts of randomness simply from observing, or from looking weird things up on the internet when I find myself at a loss for an answer.

Remember how I spoke of the clean streets in my last entry? I didn't realize the lengths to which the Japanese undergo simply to make this city look more than just "presentable." I came out of my apartment today to find a woman cleaning the cracks of the sidewalk! Haha.

And the other day I decided to look up the fine-tuned details as to how the right brain differs from the left, as well as different cooking recipes with my favourite vegetables. Did you know that if a carrot has a green spot on it, that means it got sunburnt while underground? Haha

I've also decided I want a long haired Chihuahua when I get the chance. Just another random tidbit for you.

Yesterday I worked for one of Japan's top men's fitness magazines; Tarzan. Basically I got to wear workout outfits from the 70's while demonstrating 100 different ways to work out your abs! And they kept insisting on stuffing our (I worked with a male model while shooting this) faces! Which is awesome because they actually made sure we were fed, but also hilarious, because at the end of the shoot after eating all day, they passed us two bathing suits.

His, baby boxer briefs, and mine... a bikini that looked like the bottoms were a thong. Oh, joy! Haha, all in all though, a great day. :)

I don't know how many people know this, but something I am deeply passionate about is helping people with their self-image; feeling beautiful in their own skin. Eventually I would like to help children, teens, men and women alike, but I know this needs to start somewhere.

I felt that my means to helping others began in Toronto, but in Tokyo, it's a bit overwhelming, as well as defeating. The girls don't seem to want the help, to want to feel good in their bodies, to be healthy.

It is so unfortunate that a certain market within the industry can make so many young people have misconstrued body images. I see girls eating a salad and a banana a day, never-ending talks about being "fat," and constant pinching of skin off their meatless bodies saying that it is fat. This worries me. (Mind you, there are quite a few healthy models that I've met and have become friends with, so please don't think I'm saying all models are like this, because they aren't).

I understand this industry is built on image, and that as a model, there are certain measurements you need to fit. But how far is a person willing to go? How much are they willing to damage themselves? We all have "fat days," you know... the not-so-hot days, but I really think we should all ask ourselves these questions before going past the point of eating healthy and exercising to maintain the bodies we have, or are wanting to improve.

Yet another exciting two weeks spent in Tokyo, and I can only imagine that it will get better and better! Cherry blossoms begin to bloom this weekend! Yoyogi Park, Imperial Palace, and countless other places... here I come!

Katie xx

Ps. To the girls in fashion week, you looked amazing.

Katie Bishop is a Ford model, currently with Team in Tokyo.