Michelle Valencourt

PAGE TWO

Michelle Valencourt in Flare

Modelresource (MR): How are things going for you?

Michelle Valencourt (MV): Really well... really well. It was kind of slow when I got here because it was show week in Paris and Milan, then clients had to recuperate. I didn't end up going to Paris and Milan, but I've been going to so many go-sees and meeting with photographers and stylists. I've had a really good response.

I've shot with a really great photographer here in London and I'll be shooting with her again on Wednesday for Nylon magazine.

MR: How is it different this time?

MV: The competition now is so much more fierce because there are so many new girls in the industry. When I was 14 and seen as the fresh new face people really took to me, whereas now it's more difficult because there are so many new girls and you have to re-introduce yourself. Other than that, London is London and it's my favourite place to be, fashion-wise. It's my home-away-from-home in the fashion industry.


Michelle Valencourt in Jalouse MR: Why did you choose to come now?

MV: I came over for the shows and to meet clients - and what better time to meet with people and let them know you're back in it? London was always my market. When I was 14 I came to London when New York was a little bit iffy, and Paris was a little bit iffy - London I booked so much - I was just working, working, working. So I came back to London to see if I could get back into the market the same way I did when I was younger.

It's kind of been a different experience this trip. I'm just getting back into the industry and still meeting clients and meeting people I haven't seen in years.

MR: Do they remember you?

MV: Yeah, a lot of them remember me. They're like "Where did you go?" Because I just sort of dropped out. But a lot of them remember me and they're like "It's so good to have you back."

It's so different for me because when I was younger I never did these commercial castings, and some are really embarrassing.

I had one the other day for a video game, and I walked in to the casting and they said "Okay, cry! Just start crying, show deep despair." And I'm like "How do I do that?" They said they could do a couple of takes, and I actually did start crying. I was proud of myself. It's good experience - a little embarrassing - but now I know I can do it.

MR: Will you be heading back to London after returning home?

MV: I think so. It's so close to Paris and Milan, and I think I would rather be here. They asked me where I was going to be based and I'm like "In Canada?" They said that's not going to work. So I think I'm going to be based in London, but still live in Canada with my parents.

MR: What are your accomodations like here?

MV: I'm staying in a models' apartment here and I love it! A lot of people ask me how I can live like that, but I love my roommates. It's like having a bunch of sisters. You just chill out and go sightseeing together.

In my own flat I would be so lonely. I'm over here away from my parents and my boyfriend, and I would just be sitting by myself.

MR: How are things with your boyfriend?

MV: We've been together for a-year-and-a-half. I didn't want to be in a relationship, because it's so difficult with all the travel. We kind of got into it, and this is our first trip apart that's been more than a week.

It's been challenging but absence really does make the heart grow fonder, and coming home this time is so much more special.

MR: What are your roommates like?

MV: I'm actually living with four girls right now. Two are Brazilian, one is from Russia and one is from Paris. But we all get along.

MR: It must be fascinating to get a taste of so many cultures?

MV: It's interesting you would say "taste" because yesterday I went out with my two Brazilian roommates to a Brazilian restaurant and I'm looking at all this stuff saying "What's that?" Not only am I in London, England, but I've made Brazilian friends and had Brazilian food. I have an Arabic friend and he takes me out for Arabic food. If I was living alone in a flat I don't know that I would have experienced all that.

MR: So you really keep an open outlook?

MV: Oh yeah, I love experiencing new things. That's why I find modelling so beneficial and so fun. You just find so many different experiences that are life-changing. I just grasp and hold on to everything I learn from my travels.

MR: Education has always been very important to you. How does that figure into your future plans?

MV: I graduated high school in June and still have plans to go to university to become a teacher - it's still my dream. I want to teach history and English.

With university though, it doesn't matter how old you are. For now I want to model and see how far I can take that - make some money and get back to where I was when I was younger.

MR: Do you plan on doing your formal studies in a classroom setting, or over the internet?

MV: I've always loved school and a lot of people may not see it as an experience, but I see it as such a life forming experience. I would rather do it in a classroom.

PAGE ONEABOUT LONDON