Now Casting: Hannah Bennett

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Backstage at Alexander Wang’s Spring 2017 show this past September, hairstylist Guido Palau plucked 18 models who were game for majorly switching up their hairstyle, and gave them each a choppy, raw cut, which was then dyed bleach blonde. Reportedly, some of the models models were so taken aback by the results that they burst into tears, but 21-year-old Brit Hannah Bennett was not one of them. “Listen,” she says, “when Guido asks, you say ‘yes.’ Besides, if had the chance, I would’ve volunteered myself.” Following the show, Hannah thinks it was Guido’s cut that helped her to have her best season yet—she walked the runways at Versus, Fendi, and Off-White, to name a few. In this quick-fire interview, she weighs in on her modeling career so far:

Did you always want to be a model?
“People said to me that I should model, but I always thought it was just because I was tall and that it had nothing to do with my face. It wasn’t until I was scouted that I started to actually consider it as a legitimate career option.”

How were you discovered?
“I was discovered on Instagram while I was studying politics, philosophy, and economics at University of York in England. A model scout came across my profile and liked a bunch of my photos of me and my dog, so I messaged her with my statistics asking if I could ever realistically model. She worked at IMG in Paris and put me in touch with the London office. I met with them two years ago and they offered me a modeling contract on the spot.”

Were you interested in fashion growing up?
“I always loved it in the sense that it felt very removed from my world like a fairy tale. Now that I’m a part of it, I realize that it’s really not as glamorous as it seems though.”

When did you get your big break?
“I think that my biggest break was this past season at Alexander Wang’s Spring 2017 show, but my first major job was with David Sims. It was the second thing I was ever booked on and I was terrified. Coincidentally, Guido was on set for that story too and cut my hair into a mullet.”

What was the first runway show you walked in and what do you remember about it?
“I think my first show was Ryan Lo Fall 2016 in London. I was pretty nervous before I walked the runway, but I was also really excited to channel everything I was feeling and enjoy the experience.”

What’s the hardest part about your job?
“I often only get my schedule at 6pm the night before a job, so it makes planning to see friends and family pretty tough. I try to keep a good sense of perspective in the sense that I’m really happy that people want to book me, but it can get lonely and sometimes its hard to strike a good work/life balance.”

How would you describe your personal style?
“Grungy. About half of my wardrobe is stolen from my brothers or my boyfriend, so I guess it’s pretty boyish too. I also love vintage shopping for one-of-a-kind pieces from the ‘70s and skinny scarves.”

What do you do to stay in shape?
“Let’s be honest: I go to the gym a lot. If you’re a model, you have to. Now that I’m traveling a lot, I usually try to run around whichever city I’m staying in. It makes exercising more interesting and it’s a good way to see new places.”

Favorite beauty tip?
“Water! My skin can get crazy from wearing lots of makeup at work and I find that drinking lots of it is the only thing that really helps. Also, as my hair is bleached now, I try not to wash it too often else it starts looking really dead.”

What do you like to do when you’re not modeling?
“I love vintage shopping and exploring new places. Right now, I’m stationed in New York for two months and am really enjoying getting to know the city.”

What are your career goals?
“I’d love to work with Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. Even when I wasn’t a model, I always dreamed of somehow doing something with her. Walking Alexander Wang at New York Fashion Week was also on my bucket list, so it’s really amazing that I’ve been able to check that off.”

Favorite place in the world and why?
“I absolutely adore the Greek islands. My mum loves it too and we’ve visited a lot of them together. I think the simplicity of them is really relaxing and beautiful.”

What projects do you have on the horizon?
“No one has photographed me with my new hair yet, so that’s definitely got to happen. I am 100% keeping it bleach blonde for as long as I can!”

Were do you see yourself in 10 years?
“In 10 years I’ll be 31 and I have no idea what I’ll be doing. I doubt I’ll be modeling still though. That being said, this time two years ago I didn’t think I could be a professional model so who knows!”

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createdAt:Tue, 13 Jun 2017 16:21:10 +0000
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