by Stacey McKenzie
(taken with permission from www.staceymckenzie.com )

When I first got into modeling in Paris, I did not have any money to buy the nice clothing I craved for, hell I lived in a studio apartment in the outskirts of Paris not knowng how I was going to pay rent and eat for the month.

I use to go to a place called Gerasol to shop for my clothing.  Gerasols are broke down secondhand stores where you can get clothing for 10 francs ($1/2).  I made the best with what I had.  I always walked with my head held high in my $1″JPG printed dress” and my $1 “Sergio Rossi stilletos”, you would think I was Naomi when you saw me coming down the street!

Don’t get me wrong, I would feel bad at times that I couldn’t get that beautiful NEW dress and shoes I saw on one of my window shopping trips in the Marais.  I did not let it get to me because I did not want that to define me as a person.  Unfortunately in this business it does and if you are not careful it can take over your life.

I remember when I went to my first agency dinner, the owner of the agency did not like me one bit because, of all things MY LOOK!  I sat at that table OWNING my Gerasol dress and shoes having a great time.  Not long afterward, the owner of the agency starts making fun of me.  This man made fun of my looks, my voice and my clothing the entire night.  I was really paining inside, but for some reason I continued smiling and having a good time.

Finally, I could not take it anymore and turned to him saying “take a look at yourself, your wearing a pink scarf looking like a poodle talking about me”.  That was not the right thing to have said and sure enough I was dropped from the agency the next day, with my portfolio never to be seen again.

I remember when I bought my first NEW outfit, I was in heaven, I made it clear that I would NEVER in my life wear used clothing again (I was letting it finally get to me).  I realized shortly after that it did not matter if I had the Gerasol clothing or the new Gucci, you will be loved and hated no matter how you look and what you have.

Now, I mix my clothing with a little something new and little something old, I also mix my clothing with a little something expensive and a little something inexpensive.  The reason I do that (believe it or not) is to remind me of when I did not have it like that and I made the best with what I had at the time.  I reminded myself of where me and my mom came from, reminded me of what it took for us to get to where we’re at today, reminded me of all the ups and downs,good and bad of my life experiences.

As long as you OWN who you are nothing in this world nothing can stop you from OWNING your dreams in life!