It doesn’t matter if Alamela Rowan of Australia’s Next Top Model did not win the reality tv show’s top prize — she doesn’t need it.

Life after AuNTM for our underdog that is Alamela is a success: booking various modeling jobs not only from her own home country, but landing lucrative offers and endorsements from all over Asia. Blooming in the international scene, Alamela’s success gives both her detractors, and her bullies a definite run for their money.

Name: Alamela Rowan
Age: 20
Height: 174cm
Weight: 44kg
Agency: Self represented in Australia, with various overseas agencies.
Based at: Brisbane
Motto in life: Truth, justice, and a white dove.

What interested you in modeling? How did you get started?

When I was in High School I spent much of my time volunteering with charities and assisting veterinarians as a nurse. I was always creative, and interested in travelling and meeting new people. So I began to enter modelling competitions as a trivial distraction, and then suddenly I was offered international contracts.

What was the experience like being a Top Model Contestant? How did you deal with the pressures of having to be on camera almost the entire time the show was being filmed, and how did you deal with the girls, particularly with Demelza?

Top Model was unbelievable. Being constantly filmed was excellent preparation for the media exposure that came after the show. The situation was an intense introduction to the importance of self censorship, and maintaining a professional and responsible attitude throughout adversity.

It was impossible to be false in that context, the only issue was misrepresentation. Whatever content you provided the program with, was likely to be scrutinized and dissected, so it was important that your every action was reasonably defensible.

The unfortunate consequences of failing to consider this were later realised by Demelza. I suppose I was unable to deal with the pressures of that program, when I eventually broke down.

I believe that allowing the situation to elevate to that level, and then the lack of subsequent action by the producers was a grave mistake. The public response of overwhelming support was incredible though, and reasserted that such dramatic exploitation for the sake of headlines was absolutely unacceptable.

After the show, a lot of people have written things about you both good and bad - have you read them and what is your reaction to them?

I read most comments about myself, whether in the media or private forums. As a model it is important to understand your perception in fashion industry and general public. I am also involved in writing for the media, so it is useful to know what interests others.

Unsubstantiated criticisms are generally few, while those that have substance are genuinely considered and commonly responded to. The vast majority of comments are supportive, and I am privileged and honoured by those that take the time to write such kind words.

What’s your take on bullying/being bullied? How will you advise young people of today who are victims of bullying? What would you want to say to them?

Always do what is right and true, remain poised and dignified, and talk to someone about the situation. It is important to understand that the reasons for selecting victims are often arbitrary, like the girls on Top Model said I was criticized for the way I spoke. Differences make others interesting. Suffering from such intolerance is a fault of the bully, and something they require assistance for. It is important to speak to someone about the issue, and continue reporting any further offences, because many others are often experiencing a similar situation.

Moving on from AuNTM is life after that. What do you consider to be your biggest achievement as a model?

As a model, the greatest achievement was probably being involved in a catwalk show for Harry Winston held in the tallest tower in the world, in Taipei.

Personally, the greatest modelling achievement was working with charities to promote humanitarian and environmental causes. It is a great honour for these organisations to seek my involvement, and my commitment to their objectives is likely to last long after my career as a model.

What else would your aspirations be?

I am really enjoying university, studying a double degree in Environmental Law. After modelling overseas for several years, the work became repetitive and I decided to focus pursuing my activist interests. I still enjoy being involved in select shoots that are in some way challenging or inspiring. Ultimately though, I would like to work with charities as a lawyer assisting cases that are morally important. There are many areas of animal rights that are presently concerning including whaling, cock fighting, and the bear bile industry. My aspiration is to assist both animals and humans in disadvantaged situations.

Who are the people in the field that you look up to?

I admire models such as Twiggy that refuse to wear fur, because of the unnecessary cruelty of the industry. Others that I admire are generally unconventional individuals, in various fields, with a genuine devotion to their work. They may be lawyers, environmentalists, or lecturers that are opinionated and passionate about what they believe in.

What’s something about yourself not a lot of people know about?

I changed my name when I was young. I grew up with alternative parents, in Byron Bay. They wanted so many middle names they could not all fit on the birth certificate. I ended up with 6 names from as many ethnic origins, and often forgot how to spell half of them. So when I travelled to India when I was 12 I heard this Sanskrit name, and from then on became known as Alamela.

If you weren’t into modelling, where would you be?

A very difficult question to answer, I suppose I would have done better in my final year of high school and received the marks required for admission into a Veterinary Medicine degree. After graduating, I would probably have become involved in animal rights work overseas. That is similar to my current aspirations, although more isolated to assisting individual cases rather than permanently altering the industry though law reform.

Define beautiful? What is beauty for you?

Beautiful is something that imparts inspiration, a connection between a quality of something and the passions of an individual. For me, that means beauty must have inherent decency. Something loses its capacity to be beautiful when it is corrupted, in the same way that an unpleasant model becomes physically unappealing because of their demeanour.

Any words of advice for anyone who wants to be a model?

For those that want to become models, understand that everyone in the industry is pretty. There are certain statistics that are conventionally required, such as a slender and tall form, and attractive countenance, and beyond that it is important to have something special that you bring to work. While it is not required that you conform to every specification of the industry, it does make pursuing a modelling career far easier. Always act professionally, while maintaining your personal standards. Help others, rather than criticizing the competition. Everything you achieve means far more when you make it on your own merit, others will admire that, and that creates lasting success.

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Citations

1. Headshot: A photo that was taken by Alamela’s Taiwan agent, V and L International Models.
2. Red dress: For Daniel Alexander, by photographer and makeup artist Frankie Fong. http://www.frankiefong.com.au/index.htm
3. Magazine: By Franky Fong.
4. Profile: By Amanda Lim http://www.amandalim.com.au/
5. Dress: For designer Alex Perry, photography by Georges Antonihttp://www.georgesantoni.com/
6. Absailing: For designer Mary Kyri, photography by Simon Upton.http://www.simonupton.com/
7. Water: For Napoleon Perdis, photography by Jackie Mieling.
8. Catwalk: For Angelo Seminara at Sydeny Hair Expo, photography by someone in the crowd.
9. Yacht: Photos by Pat Ramos http://www.patramos.com/

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Credits

Thank you to Ms. Alamela Rowan herself for the time, the photos, and the interview. :)

Visit http://www.alamela.com/ to see more of Alamela Rowan’s work.

Interview by Adrian Gonzales

Posted 10 months ago with 25 notes
Tags: model feature