MODELING: Juliette Ackerman discusses her modeling career.
By Andrea Alvarado, Staff Writer
Today, social networking sites seem to be filled with endless photos of adolescent girls, each attempting to strike their best pose accompanied with a signature yet amateur pout. These photos are reflections of what every female aspires to become: a model. Poly Bear Juliet Ackerman (11) chose to pursue this aspiration professionally.
At the age of 13, Ackerman stepped onto the modeling scene when she attended an open call for Ford Models, a prestigious modeling agency whose past faces range from celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan to fashion industry royalties like Elle Macpherson and Twiggy. The next day, Ackerman was contacted to discuss a contract with the agency. After a contract was set, Ackerman decided to sign with Ford’s Youth Division.
Ackerman was sent to test shoots in order to show how well she works in front of the camera. Upon seeing her performance, Ford sent her to commercial castings. The first commercial she was casted in was the BRATZ Dolls advertisement for their masquerade collection.
At this point in her modeling career, Ackerman has done print work for multiple issues of Seventeen Magazine’s annual Teen PROM issue and runway shows for Teen Vogue in LA. Though she loves participating in runway shows, she leans more towards print work. “It’s more relaxing than runway and not as nerve wracking. Runway jobs can be very chaotic,” Ackerman said.
Earlier this year, Ford Models decided to drop their Youth Division, and Ackerman’s contract transferred to LA Models. Under her new agency, she most recently appeared in the Fall 2013 Lookbook for Living Doll, a teenage girl clothing company. She also took part in a presentation with Again Apparel, a California-based clothing brand. The purpose of a presentation in the fashion industry is essentially to present the company designer’s clothing while simultaneously introducing new models to the industry. “It was a very odd but exciting experience because they had the models stand on these stool-like stands while wearing the designer’s clothing for up to an hour and a half. There were a lot up-and-coming designers and press there, so the publicity was really good. It was a win-win situation for both clients and models,” she explained.
Balancing her modeling career and education this year has been challenging for Ackerman, but she makes sure to maintain good grades. “I think it’s really cool that I am able to go to a public school and model as well. It’s not an easy job, but it is a lot of fun,” she said. Ackerman hopes to continue pursuing modeling as a lifelong career; she plans to become a PINK model for Victoria’s Secret when she turns 18, and then later transition into modeling for the entirety of the brand. As for the most rewarding aspect of modeling, Ackerman finds great joy in seeing her work in magazines, commercials and websites. “It’s truly an amazing feeling of accomplishment,” she gushed.