QUARANTINE DIARIES 2 with : MARTA AGUILAR
Facetime photographed by Mathieu Puga. Words by Charlie Newman.
Please can you tell us where you're from and the best thing to do there.
I’m from Barcelona born and raised. My favourite thing to do is walking around with friends before stopping to get some nice drinks or meals on a terrace.
How long have you been modelling for and what has been a career highlight for you?
I got scouted 8 years ago at the age of 14, and I’ve been full time modelling for 5 years now. For me, the biggest highlights are the places I’ve been able to visit for jobs, like Hawaii, Brazil, Cape Town or Cuba as I hadn’t really got to travel before and maybe never would have had the chance, so I’m very grateful and amazed every time I get to go somewhere special and new for me.
What was the biggest surprise for you when you first started working in fashion?
Becoming a model was already a big surprise for me as it was something that never really crossed my mind.
And what do you wish people knew more about when it comes to the world of fashion?
I’d like people to realize how hard models have to work and that it is not all fun and glamour.
Drawing from your personal experience, what have you gleaned from working in fashion?
Starting to work from such a young age, I became very independent pretty soon and while I still consider myself very shy, it has helped me a lot to meet people all around the world and develop a more extroverted attitude.
Covid-19 has undoubtedly transformed the way the world now works, the fashion industry included. How would you like to see the industry change for the better in the future?
I think everything was forced to slow down during this year, which hopefully got massive companies to stop mass-producing the way they have been doing for the past years. Working in the industry made me realize how fast fashion works and how mental it is... I’d like the fashion industry to head towards a slowest and more sustainable future.
What have you discovered about yourself throughout the struggles of this year?
I learned how during my career I may sometimes have taken some things for granted. I also learned to be patient and resilient and got back some hobbies I had left behind in my teenage years like crochet, that has become like a therapy for me.
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
I look up to every model I met that made me feel comfortable and made me love the job and it’s people while I grew and discovered the industry. I always remember them and try to be the same they were for me when I work with younger models that are shy or sometimes look terrified haha. It’s a job that can get lonely and I think it’s important we help and be nice to each other.
Who do you think we should be watching/admiring when it comes to up and coming talent right now?
There are so many inspiring young people creating incredible stuff right now! Arale Reartes is a young photographer (also from Barcelona) who I really admire and think will be a very big one day.
What would your advice be to young, up and coming models now?
Be patient, if it has to come, it will. Don’t compare yourself or your career to other models. Be friendly, be on time and have a good attitude.
Lastly, with the closing of 2020, what do you hope 2021 brings?
I hope 2021 brings brighter and healthier days.
Marta appears courtesy of UNO Models.
