Urban World

» Claudia Smith Interview

Roger The Writer Meets…

Claudia Smith – Future Supermodel.

When I was told I’d be interviewing a model, my first port of call was the barbers. If I was to do my best, I needed to look my best. To my dismay, I was later told it was to be a phone interview (after spending £7 on a new trim – pissed). Enough about me, allow me to introduce the beautiful, elegant and intelligent Ms Claudia Smith.

Roger The Writer – RTW
Claudia Smith – CS

RTW – How are you this morning my dear? Are you cool with a morning interview?
CS – I’m fine thank you. I’m fine with mornings; it’s the best part of the day for me. I’m quite talkative once I get going.

RTW – So Claudia, other than being appropriately named, what got you into modelling?
CS – People have always told me I should give it a try so I started freelancing in October 2006. I was studying social work and wanted to complete my studies before I started anything full time. You know, to have a foundation.

RTW – So how serious did you take it when you first started?
CS – I literally gave up everything to focus on it. When I was studying, I did a lot of research so that when I finished my education I knew exactly where I was going, who I was going to contact. I planned things a year or so before I started in October.

RTW – Was it not daunting giving up everything?
CS – It was but like I said, I had spent a year researching so my head was right and I knew the steps I needed to be taking. I have great faith and I know God is with me on this journey. I trust him and believe he will care for me. That’s why I have never felt out of my depth. I believe in myself and believe I can do well if I keep at it. I never want to say ‘coulda, woulda, shoulda’ for anything.

RTW – You’ve only really been doing this for 10 months? Are you comfortable being dubbed ‘the new Naomi’?
CS – I’m OK with it because basically, this is the search for her and I don’t really think it excludes me. The CMS (Caribbean Model Search) is about looking for her but in my own right, I am her. For me, at the end of the day, I am Claudia Smith, I do work hard and I have a lot of confidence that I will make it too but it will be nice to have another black girl to rub shoulders with. I don’t see that in any negative aspect whatsoever.

RTW – Is it true you were scouted?
CS – No, not really. I was actually reading SHE Magazine and I saw one of their models and she had done really well as a black model. So I ‘googled’ her to find out some more information about her but it wasn’t all that helpful. What I did find was the agency she was from which was Pulse. I offered to send them some pictures but declined as they would be coming to London promoting CMS. I travelled down to the event and while I was there, I was approached by one of their scouts. They had no idea I was the same girl who had called them in Jamaica a month before so when they found out, we just took it from there.

RTW – So you winged it? You lucky thing.
CS – (Laughing) No not exactly. You still need to be in the right place at the right time.

RTW – Speaking of that, do you think you’re on a journey of fortune of did you make this for yourself?
CS – Half and half. If I didn’t put myself out and call Jamaica, research Pulse or go to the embassy, I wouldn’t be in line to receive the blessings I have. Nothing just happens, you need to make things happen as well. It’s a shared pie.

RTW – How do you get past the misconception of ‘the empty headed clotheshorse’ misconception?
CS – The fact that I’ve freelanced my way to where I am and done this all off my own back; there is no way I can be empty headed. It is a lot of hard work and its very difficult to break into mainstream only for someone to tell you you’re empty headed because you’re skinny and have to walk down a runway.

RTW – The Naomi comparisons will come thick and fast but which models will you attempt to emulate in your career?
CS – I do like Liya Kebede from Eritrea, (Alek) Wek and Gemma Ward. They’re all very elegant and beautiful. I aspire to be like them not only with regards to success but conduct.

RTW – How supportive have your family been with regards to your career?
CS – Very. My mother is in it with me all the way. She paid for my portfolio which was thousands and she’s really been there for me every step of the way.

RTW – Are the any photographers you’d want to add to your portfolio?
CS – I like Nick Knight, he works for Vogue. He’s really famous and we actually tried to contact him but it was almost impossible to get close to him. So we just went with someone else of the same quality in our eyes.

RTW – If you weren’t modelling, what career could you see yourself in?
CS – I’d be a teacher, probably art. I studied A Levels and did social work practice afterwards. I really love art though so that would be where I’d settle.

RTW – Is there anyone else you would highlight as having your corner since you got into the industry?
CS – My aunties are like second mothers, my make up artist has given me a lot of help, Damian Silk – the list goes on.

RTW – Have you ever wanted to just quit?
CS – No, I’ve always wanted to do this. I have felt really down when I was freelancing but I thank God for the support of my family and friends. They got me through it.

RTW – Did being a black woman limit your progress?
CS – Definitely, that almost goes without saying. I know it is difficult for us as black people in any industry but you just have to make sure you cannot be ignored; you have to be the best at what you’re doing all the time.

RTW – Do you see yourself as a role model or are you just trying to ‘do you’?
CS – If I can influence anyone in a positive way, all the better.

RTW – Who would you love to meet and why?
CS – I would love to meet Naomi because I admire her so much. If she wanted to, she could get us prepared for the modelling world as black girls and give us some crucial advice on what to expect. Regardless of her ups and downs, I respect her. She is all we’ve ever had too.

RTW – Is there anywhere you’d love to go to?
CS – Ethiopia – for the history lesson.

RTW – Do you see a support system for young black models in the UK?
CS – No, not really. Mainstream is not ours; it belongs to white models so when they do say yes, you know you’ve made it. That’s why I contacted Pulse. They do really support you. There isn’t really anything here in that respect which gets us into the mainstream. Even though they’re based in Jamaica, I really do have that support system I need. It gives girls the chance to take their careers to another level and gives them that exposure.

RTW – What would your response be at the claims that Ms Black Britain excludes other races?
CS – Well there are numerous events which take place in and around London which focus solely on different ethic groups. Ms Black Britain is merely our slice of the pie.

RTW – Do you not think it only logical that advertising would reflect the population though?
CS – There are so many black women trying to be models but I cannot blame agencies; they are just giving the designers what they want. It makes sense to support you, hence the importance of Caribbean Fashion Week where we get to celebrate our beauty.

RTW – Don’t you miss just eating cake and junk?
CS – I’m not being good at the moment but I need to fix it. I’m off to New York in two weeks so I need to slim down. I don’t really crash diet; I just try to be balanced. If I need to slim, I just cut down on carbs and walk a lot. I love to walk. Maybe dancing around my room a little (laughs)

RTW – Do you think Alek Wek’s career is based on her being such juxtaposition in comparison to other models?
CS – She is a head turner. She is the first to look like that on the runway. She should be embraced because of her beauty. Her skin tone is so rich and her shape is great for the clothes.

RTW – How crucial do you think Iman has been to the cause for black models?
CS – She has been important but not crucial. Tyra is probably the main protagonist and model who has ‘given back’ after finishing her modelling career. Her talk show and America’s Next Top Model have helped break the mould with regards to mainstream beauty, especially introducing Eva Pigford.

RTW – How can the average girl off the street get to where you are?
CS – First thing to get is a relationship with God. He has been my strength from the start. Self belief and being self reliant is important to have. Nothing just happens; you need to make it happen. The most important thing to remember is to plan your next move. If you fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Just because it’s Friday, don’t get a pizza with extra topping. It’s easy to put on but very hard to take off. Just keep yourself in check.

RTW – Diet?
CS – I fluctuate really. I let myself go at times but I try to be sensible. When I cut out carbs,
the moment I try them again I never want to stop. I become a potato fiend!!

RTW – What do you need to be a model?
CS – You need to have an edge, you need height too. You don’t have to be beautiful, androgynous features are more coveted actually. You need to be ready for praise and rejection because both will come your way.

RTW - What do you think about ‘size zero’?
CS – Well, it’s the designers who make the clothes so it should really be them who are tackled. The models are so desperate to fit into them; they do what they have to do to fit into them.

RTW – Is it more media hype than an actual problem?
CS – Yeah, you got it. I think it is just a story which the media had in its teeth and ran with.

RTW – You are a black woman in an industry dominated by white women. Have you ever wanted to make things easier for yourself through changing your hair or skin tone?
CS – No. Never. I have never permed my hair or bleached my skin. I love me how I am; just like God intended.


The Caribbean Model Search Finals will be held on 5th September 2007 at an exclusive location.

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