BEHIND THE EDITORIAL: A MODEL’S PERSPECTIVE

Today we’re sitting down with incredible model Vika Bilenko after her editorial shoot for ELLE Arabia.An exclusive feature with our model - from the reality of working on an editorial set to the moment you finally see your story in print 🖤1. What do people get wrong about magazine shoots?Some people often think that magazine shoots are only for superfamous models or celebrities and that you can only get into them if you have money or connections. But actually, magazines are always looking for unique new faces and fresh talent, models they haven’t seen before, who can stand out in a particular issue and potentially become the next top models.2. What matters more on an editorial set: knowing how to pose or knowing how to listen?I think knowing how to listen is more important. You never know what the client wants to see on set. Sometimes they have a very specific creative vision when they ask for specific emotions, poses or movements. So mostly it’s not always about doing what comes naturally to you - it’s about understanding what they want to see and knowing how to listen.3. What takes the most time on an editorial shoot?Preparation. Editorial pictures have to look perfect - makeup, set, clothes. Everything can change every single minute. They might want to change the makeup, the hair, or maybe the outfit doesn’t look the way we wanted it to on the moodboard. So the actual shooting can be very quick. If we count only the shooting time, this shoot was probably 1–2 hours out of 5 😅4. What’s one skill a model needs on an editorial set that has nothing to do with appearance?Communication is the most important. During an editorial shoot you’re going to meet creative directors, magazine directors, famous photographers who work mostly with magazines, and makeup artists who can recommend you for their next client. You have to know how to talk to people, create a comfortable atmosphere and make people remember you. And most importantly I think it’s to stay polite, patient and understanding!5. How does it feel to finally see the story you created come to life?It’s an incredible feeling. Seeing yourself in the magazine and realizing that everyone did such a great job, and that all the work you put in before was worth every single minute on set. I think it’s one of the best feelings for any model. It’s like a medal for your work.@elle_arabia @vancleefarpels