Q. Where are you from?
A. Boston, MA
Q. What are some of your main interests and hobbies?
A. Outside of modeling and acting… Volleyball – I love the game! Aside from playing on my H.S. team for the past two years, I also play on the club level. I also like to bake, and strive for honor roll status in school, which I’ve achieved each term to date.
Q. How would you describe your professional interests?
A. Modeling and Acting is something I’ve always wanted to do, I love it…. It was my ‘sport’. When everyone was chasing a ball on the field, I was acting in short films, booking print work, and eventually landing larger roles and eventually gaining recognition for my work.
Q. What’s your background in modeling?
A. I’ve always known I wanted to model. From the time I was 5 I was telling my parents I wanted to model and would someday be a supermodel. By the time I turned 9 they were tired of hearing me ask to model, and we walked into a Newbury Street Agency and walked out with a contract in hand. When I was 10 my mom entered me into an online casting, and I was ‘discovered’ by CLICK Models of Philly, the only office of CLICK with a child’s division. I’ve been with Renee’ Lauren of CLICK Boston for 5 years, and signed with Stefano D’angola of CLICK Boston’s Junior Division in April 2012.
Q. Was it for the glamour, the money, or pure kicks?
A. Pure love for it!
Q. Who are some of your favorite models and designers, and why?
A. I can’t say I have favorite models or designers, I love fashion, study magazines for looks, and artistry of makeup and hair designs and yet still I feel I’m unique and have my own sense of style without the necessity of emulating someone’s work, yet still appreciating fully what they do.
Q. Which fashion magazines, websites, blogs, and catalogs do you visit most often?
A. I read Seventeen Magazine, Teen Vogue, and Vogue. I read The Fashion Hub blog by Jennifer Chen and various other blogs as I stumble across them.
Q. What’s your fashion mantra?
A. I don’t have one – I tend to pave my own fashion style, and I’m never afraid to add pieces to my wardrobe that are off the map.
Q. How would you describe your style?
A. I consider anything and everything from color to historical eras and more. I like a combination of vintage, edgy and classic. I like to mix it up. Some days I’m wearing sleek black leggings paired with a silk camisole and fitted black leather jacket and boots, to the next day, a feminine dress with a sheer skirt light with movement and lace bodice paired with a soft pale pink, silk lined jacket that’s as soft to touch as it is to look at. I like to think that my wardrobe is as diverse as I am, allowing me to take on a multitude of looks.
Q. Where do you generally shop?
A. Delia*s, Forever 21, Hollister, American Eagle, TJ Maxx for designer finds, Charlotte Russe, H&M, and so many more!
Q. What other modeling projects have you done? Could you provide links?
A. http://www.AshleyJermaine.com
Q. Would you like to have other experience in the fashion industry (writing, photography, marketing, etc.)?
A. I love photography. I would definitely like to see what it’s like behind the camera.
Q. What is fun and rewarding about modeling?
A. Modeling transforms you, the clothes, the setting, and the genre of the shoot. Each piece brings a uniqueness all its own, and it’s my job to bring the design to life on print. I’m not just wearing the design, I’m the muse chosen by the designer to showcase their piece as it was meant to be seen. Working with a designer, whether it be for print or runway is incredibly rewarding, and having the ability to translate their designs, each with their own unique personality, has been the reason I’ve been called a chameleon by many I work with. My last shoot for Seventeen Magazine, I shot with Peter Rosa, the shoot was for Seven Days of Beauty. I had seven different looks with seven different hair styles along with seven makeup and wardrobe changes. After the first few sets were completed, the design team and Peter Rosa started flipping through the frames, and they were visibly thrilled, and then commented, “They all look different”. This was one of the greatest compliments, since of course the shots should look different, my hair style changed along with my wardrobe and makeup, I had to bring a different energy and personality to each look, it couldn’t be shot with the same smile, or tilt of the head, each set had to be unique.
Q. What do you dislike about modeling?
A. Modeling in cold weather. Or the wait time between the call time and when the hair/makeup actually wraps so that we can start shooting.
Q. What advice do you have for other aspiring models your age?
A. You have to love it. If you are interested in modeling, definitely give it a try, and keep an open mind. You may hate it, or find you love it, either way, know that modeling is a lot of work. Looking at behind the scenes photos or runway clips makes it all look glamorous, but there is three times the work prior to hitting the runway or clicking the first shutter on the camera.
Q. How do you prepare for a modeling shoot?
A. I preview the designers work, and it’s especially helpful if the designer shares the inspiration for their pieces. You need to know what their vision is for the shoot. I also make sure I drink plenty of water days before the shoot so I will have the best skin possible. I get plenty of rest! You can’t go to bed at 1:00 AM if you have a shoot the next day and think you’ll look your best.
Q. How would you describe working with the photographer?
A. It’s a connection – I really like it when I get to work with the same photographer on several jobs. I’ve had the opportunity to work with Jeff Demers on several shoots; this provides a familiarity that with most situations just makes the work easier. My most recent was working with Peter Rosa, for Seventeen Magazine. Peter Rosa shot me for the CoverGirl ad that will appear in Seventeen Magazine’s April issue, and then the next day, we worked together again for a two page editorial spread for the March issue of Seventeen Magazine titled Seven Days of Beauty. We worked well together the first day, so when the call sheet on the second day included 7 style changes packed into one day, it was imperative that we clicked and could read each other.
Q. How would you describe the photographer’s style?
A. Just like a designer, every photographer has his/her own sense of style – it’s like a different genre of books or movies, some like comedy, some like classics, and some a dark mystery. Photographers are artists, each with their own unique brand.
Q. Do you think it’s important to follow the photographer’s instructions?
A. I think it’s important to work together. There are many times when a model needs to follow the photographer’s instructions – for instance, if you’re modeling jewelry, hand placement is crucial, yet it could look completely different if the hand modeling the bracelet or ring is moved a fraction of an inch – a model won’t see this, but the photographer will. However, the model needs to know her own body, movement is key and a photographer can suggest some body movement but the model has to have the fluency to make it translate onto film.
Q. What comments do you have about frugal fashion–smart or petty?
A. There is no such thing a frugal fashion, it’s the individual’s interpretation of fashion – what makes it fashion, whether it’s designer or bargain basement – wear it well and make it work while making it your own.
Q. Who are some of your favorite fashion photographers? (They do not have to be famous.)
A. Can’t say I have any – there are so many talented people in this industry, you’re right to say they do not have to be famous to be a favorite, nor do they have to be famous to be amazingly talented.
Q. What does fashion mean to you?
A. Fashion does not consume me, it compliments who I am. It’s a personal expression, it becomes a part of me, and my own sense of self is tied together by my fashion choices.
Q. What distinguishes a good model from a bad one?
A. If the model cares more about how ‘they look’ in the shot, and looses sight of the fact that they’re hired to make the design or whatever is being marketed look amazing. If a model doesn’t prepare for a job, is late, and complains.. Gosh I hate complaining. Why be in this business if you’re always miserable or complaining.
Q. What distinguishes a good photograph from a bad one?
A. Lighting and the wrong angles, it can ruin a photograph.
Q. What are some things you dislike/hate about the fashion industry?
A. The pompous side of it. Keep it real; don’t think some crazy design walking the runways of Paris is fabulous just because it’s on the runway in Paris.
Q. How has modeling changed other aspects of your life?
A. I feel I’m mature for my age, and have been told so by people I work with. I have a solid sense of who I am and have gained the ability to juggle school, sports, modeling and acting. I have to make difficult decisions as to when I should pass on casting opportunities, or miss school because it’s an opportunity not to miss. I network with designers and photographers as well as have the opportunity to meet the publisher of Seventeen Magazine, the editors of the 1.4 million subscriber publication, and talk with celebrity makeup artists about school and modeling. So, yes, modeling has changed some aspects of my life, while I’m in NYC, friends are getting together – sometimes I miss out – but I know, right at that very moment, I’m exactly where I should be.
Q. Do you do your own hair and make-up?
A. I do! I feel I have a good sense of style when it comes to my hair, and my makeup is subtle and applied well. I came to the Seventeen Magazine shoot with no makeup but curled my lashes before heading to the HearstBuilding. Professional makeup artist, Sage Maitri commented “Did you curl your own lashes?” and I told her I did, she said “Wow girl, you did an amazing job”. I still get a rush when I think of that moment!
Q. What are some of the main differences between runway and photographic modeling? A. Aside from my heart pounding before I step out on stage? With still photography the model has the chance to over emphasize the design with a pose, arched back, unusual body positions. However, runway provides the movement of the design, how it looks walking the stage, how it flows, the flash at the end of the stage where you can’t see a foot in front of you because you’re blinded by the spotlight, yet you know you need to deliver some killer shots because the designer is counting on just this. My work with Emerging Trends was especially exhilarating. I worked with designer Lauren Beauchesne, and opened her show with an amazing design, that also had me wearing sunglasses. Walking a dark spotlight driven runway with sunglasses was a first, yet the shot that the photographers captured at the end of the runway was stellar, and I was told by the show’s producer, Reaz Hoque, that I brought the show stopping look to the stage. This very shot can be seen on all the promotional videos Synergy Events is using to promote their runway shows.
Q. What’s your favorite outfit from your own closet? Do you have your own personal uniform?
A. I’m loving my combat boots by ALDO, they’re my new fashion passion – laced up distressed leather, they are perfect! My go-to style for castings would be skinny jeans, tank and boots, pretty much a signature look for most models – to call it a ‘uniform’ may be a bit much – as I mix up my wardrobe based on my mood for the day.
Q. Describe the atmosphere when you’re on a shoot. Do you play music? Do you talk with the photographer between shots?
A. I love to have music on the set – probably another reason I love runway, the music and atmosphere is exhilarating. I talk to the photographer during and between sets. I like fun setting and like everyone to collaborate with the shoot.
Q. One last question, how would you like to be contacted for future jobs?
A. I can be contacted through my website at http://www.AshleyJermaine.com, my FB Fanpage: Ashley Jermaine Model and Actress or through my agency, CLICK Boston, or CLICK Philly.
Q. Anything else you’d like to say?
A. I think it’s all been covered – you had some great questions!
Based on Ashley’s responses it appears that she’s smart, bright, and well educated. Ashley is also great when it comes to loving what she’s doing. It’s not an easy task to point at someone and says how professional he/she is. But Ashley’s determination and hard work had led her to be known at her young age for many magazines, designers and photographers, and it’s only a matter of time before she opens the doors for her bright future.
To learn and read more about Ashley and/or to contact her for a job visit:
Her personal page: http://www.AshleyJermaine.com
and her Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashley-Jermaine-Model-and-Actress/182122315179890
and make sure to buy Seventeen March and April issues of 2013, because I’m going to :)
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