Chapter 30: THE FIERY MODEL

The stage had only gotten bigger since that fateful day three years back, when she had decided to enter the modelling world. The unstoppable multi-hyphenate, Audrey, had conquered every field imaginable in the modeling portfolio.
But, not a day went by in these three years, when her eyes couldn't stop lubricating a stream of incessant tears.
"Welcome, Audrey ! What brought you today to my cabin ?" Calvin asked as he greeted on the supermodel"s visit to the modelling agency's headquarters.
"It had been a long time since I met you, so I just dropped in to say hello !" Audrey replied.
"So, what is next on the horizon for my dear friend and supermodel after a string of epic highs ?" the handsome Calvin Hughes asked with a pleasing smile on his face.
"I'm planning to be a voice for all the injustice that happens in our fashion industry, besides focusing and constantly pushing the goalposts in my own career," Audrey added as she took a seat in front of him.
"How're you feeling after hearing the horrific detailed accounts of your colleagues ? I'm asking you this as I'm quite disturbed after that evening," Calvin admitted.
"I can't even put it into words," Audrey confessed. "I feel something from these heinous stories. It makes you want to go out and do something for the betterment of the industry," she added.
For decades, modeling has been a silent profession, where women are supposed to be seen and never heard.
"Our fashion industry deals with youth- many of the inexperienced young models may not have the confidence to speak out when something isn't right or they're abused. So I want to be their voice and want to help them," Audrey said with steel-like resolve while talking about the modeling agencies and casting directors who still wielded extraordinary power and many feared the cost of raising their head above the parapet.
"So, Audrey, you've made it your mission to lift the lid on the "toxic" fashion industry ? Calvin affirmed.
"Yes. I certainly want to send a strong message to all women in the fashion industry- and beyond to not surrender to any abuse and torture," Audrey replied.
"Will it be effective ?" Calvin asked.
"If we can"t win protections against human trafficking in disguise for some of the most privileged and visible women in the world, then where does that leave us ?" she asked.
"How do you plan to do this ?" He questioned with raised eyebrows as he fixed a drink for the two of them.
"I want to set up Zoom mentorship sessions for young models on bullying, coercion and harassment," Audrey confided her future plans as she accepted the glass from him. "I've been "shocked" by the number of top models reaching out with "horrific" stories which I'll broadcast to expose the offenders through my social networking sites," she added.
"Ambitious but a potential disaster nonetheless," Calvin pointed out.
"I want to establish a new model charter" with a new code of conduct with the authorities. I would also like to set up a confidential expert helpline to give advice and emotional support to models," Audrey revealed. "I would encourage models to beat down the door and, on my end, I"ll tirelessly expose the culprits for the world to watch," she determinedly said.
"Audrey you can carry on with your work and stay silent if you want, as a model of your stature is above this abuse," advised Calvin.
"Silence is violence, Calvin !" Audrey exclaimed. "Models who decide not to speak up are participating in that same system of oppression that is harming other people and just because it doesn't affect me directly or I benefit from the privileges of it, doesn"t mean that I get a pass and that I should remain silent on these issues," she retorted standing firm on her moral values.
"Understandable but I am just asking you to be cautious," Calvin replied.
"Calvin, I want to mitigate these hidden crimes in the fashion industry and also want to give my damn best to make it happen," Audrey said.
Audrey revealed her strategy to call out on her social media platforms the fashion industry for its emotional abuse, sexual harassment, body image pressures, unprofessional working conditions, nonpayment and creating a 'veil of secrecy and silence'.
"From what I concluded that day was that curvaceous models have long been marginalized in the fashion industry. It's high time we demand their representation," declared Audrey.
"Playing on women"s insecurities has become so extremely pervasive in our society that it's not only immensely damaging and unhealthy," Calvin commented.
"For the models, of course, but also for the women in general— especially for the women that see the images of the models and want to imitate them without knowing how much time we spend trying to look good. And then also they don"t understand the process," Audrey said.
"These issues not only damage the fashion industry but the whole society in general. Consumers are influenced into hypothetical standards," Calvin remarked.
"Gullible women having societal pressures don't understand that models like me have spent the last three years perfecting our bodies, skin, hair color, and we have a team of makeup artists, a team of hairstylists, and a team of wardrobe stylists that help us become what we are today. No one is perfect !" Audrey countered.
"And it doesn't end here," Calvin nodded as he too agreed with Audrey about glorification of beauty.
"Indeed ! Then we have a professional photographer. And then all the photos get edited and photoshopped. So the end result is the farthest thing from a realistic photo that one could ever imagine," Audrey alleged.
"And women are seeing these images that literally are not real and are setting unrealistic standards for themselves," Calvin said as he saw eye to eye with the supermodel on the issue.
"I've spent the last 3 years predominantly on this winning racehorse of my career and now I want to actively balance my career and my philanthropy work," Audrey asserted who had lived up to that mythical notion of having it all- a self-made outsider who somehow carved a path in the fashion industry.
"You've worked on assignments back to back and have not taken a single vacation in the last three years. You need to slow down now, Audrey ," Calvin advised.
"I've no personal life left in me. For three years the fashion runway helped me run away from the baggage of my past and memories," Audrey said with glassy eyes.
"Seeing your assignments for the last few months, it seems like you"re always on the go. You only have stamps on your passport but you've not done any sightseeing. So I suggest you take it easy and take a vacation before you plunge into the next assignment," Calvin suggested. "And then think of settling down in life," he added.
"I know but as of now I have no time and space in life to look for love and date eligible bachelors," Audrey snapped.
"Alright, alright. You don't need to search or look for them. You have no dearth of guys who are keen to date you. So many renowned designers, photographers, entrepreneurs are interested in you. At least give one of them a chance," urged Calvin.
"I've loved only once. It can feel pretty wonderful— when all goes well, that is. When romance follows a rockier path, we notice our inner compass needle swinging more toward abject misery than euphoric joy. And I've experienced both misery and euphoric joy," Audrey replied.
"It has been a couple of years now, you've sailed through all this so just move on," Calvin said.
"Haha ! Look who's talking ! Even your love boat is still anchored, so stop telling me to sail my boat, Calvin," said Audrey while playing a joke on him.
"Ok fine ! Tell me what next !" asked Calvin as now he was under attack.
"Calvin, I want to be in a little bit more control of my life. I don"t want to keep waiting to get a schedule that tells me what I'm going to do the next day or the night before," Audrey replied.
"Then what do you want ?" asked Calvin.
"I want to have a settled life after three years of a nomadic life. I want to sit on the beach and absorb the love that happens when waves crash into the heart of the rock," Audrey chimed her feelings. "And most importantly, supporting social causes, participating in charity fundraising. It will be my way of repaying back to society," she added empathically.
"You have everything planned out, don"t you ?" Calvin smirked. "Are you sure you just came here to say "hello" to me," he teased.
"I don"t want to be stuck running on a hamster wheel anymore," Audrey stressed. "I now want to be careful to carve out time for my personal dreams, swapping hotel room service for dinner and drinks with snacks with my family and friends," Audrey confessed her feelings.
"Good idea ! Great to know that you're no more an anxious model like you were before but a girl who is focused on being more present," Calvin complimented. "There is a fundraising event getting organized called 'Fashion Funds the Cure - Runway to Hope' for Pediatric Cancer cure. Would you like to walk the ramp there ? That too on a faraway beach city !" he enticed the supermodel to the job.
"Sure! Anything for little angels. What are the details ?"Audrey asked.
"It's to walk the ramp for a charity that works to raise funds," Calvin explained. "This is the perfect opportunity to show financial and emotional support. You can make a difference in the lives of children battling cancer who deserve to live long and healthy lives."
"I'm in for this," Audrey consented without hesitation.
"You can take a small vacation in that city too. I"ve heard it's a beautiful place," Calvin said.
"Sure, I'll take this vacation and explore new places," Audrey agreed. "I'll also invite my best friend, Rachel, to spend some time with me there," she added, excited at the prospect of meeting her best friend.
"From promoting the fundraiser event to getting media coverage, using press releases and follow ups with local media outlets, all will be taken care of by the corporate sponsors and local businesses under the umbrella of the pediatric wing of the city's renowned hospital" informed Calvin.
"Sounds great ! Let's freeze the dates for this event then," Audrey replied.
"But first I need to share a piece of news with you," Calvin remarked.
"I can see you blushing, so I can guess, it's just not news but good news," Audrey replied.
"Well you've guessed it right ! I'm joining our advertising company's other office in the same beach city as a Creative Director," said a delighted Calvin.
"Wow ! Awesome ! It's great news ! Congratulations ! I'm so happy for you. So, you're not coming back to your headquarters after attending the fundraising event ?" Audrey asked.
"Yes ! After a small vacation there, I'll join the office but rest assured I'll always be there to help you in this fight against the wrongdoers of the fashion industry," reassured Calvin.
"I really appreciate your help, all through these years," Audrey replied with gratitude.