Meet Milena Panic, a fashion model from Serbia. She is in the industry for eight years. Now Milena is well aware of how the industry works.
Credits: Milena
She is an independent woman who is setting a path for other girls to follow their dreams. Besides doing modeling, Milena is currently working in a designer’s store, Model Mint, and babysitting children. Simply, she is a multi-tasking and multi-talented person. Also, Milena is thinking to start her own blogs too.
Milena is an English literature graduate. Presently, she has taken a little break from her studies to focus more on fashion and designing. Therefore she is trying to create a balance in her life.
“Fashion Industry is very tough and unpredictable. Sometimes one has to work for twelve hours and they get projects very often. Then, it becomes quite impossible to focus on other things. And sometimes there is no work. Therefore, being in this industry requires lot of patience and hard work”.
Modeling happened to Milena accidentally. She never ever thought of making her way into the fashion world. When she came to Belgrade for her further education, she was searching for a job. Currently, she is working as a freelance model. However, before she was associated with the two agencies.
“I actaully did not want to be a model because I thought that was so simple and was not able to see any progress. It was like superficial to me. But I need a side job so I applied to three agencies and got selected in three of them. I chose the Click Fashion Agency. They are the founder of Belgrade Fashion Week and were working with one more agency that were sending models abroad”.
Gradually, Milena started liking modeling. What she likes the most is the performing and the act of different posing. She found that she is free and can express herself fully.
“When one do modeling, one can discover them so many times for every single project they do. Sometimes one does not know what they can do but end up doing it. This way one discovers all parts of their personality. In modeling, one get to work with photographers, designers, all of them are professional and working hard. Consequently, one learns about the process and what it takes to be there. Fashion is all about multimedia. There is film, music, and all sorts of art. This is what I like the most about it”.
Credits: Milena
Though, Milena is in the fashion industry for quite some time now still has to face challenges in her life as a model. Initially, when she started, she liked it. But being a model is not everyone’s cup of tea. Models are important but easily replaceable too. As soon as one realizes this and does not take it personally then that becomes a lot easier. There was a moment when Milena felt bad about herself and doubted her capability. She was insecure about her job and was in an existential crisis. But over the years, she has grown more confident and mature. Though, when she started it was very tricky and challenging.
In Serbia, plus-size modeling is not prominent and the market is not so wide. However, Milena loves the idea of putting different types of bodies and diversity in the industry.
Milena was fortunate enough to be associated with the well-known agency. She got the guidance of Nenad Radujevic, founder of the agency, and the Belgrade Fashion Week. He taught her a lot of things. When Milena started working with the agency, there was a modeling school where she was given grooming classes on how to walk, pose, and other aspects. The best advice they gave her was to accept things the way they are and to learn that this is just a part of the job.
“They always told me not to take things personally. Be confident about oneself. They always kept on telling me that either one is going to make it in this business or nobody will want them. Sometimes it becomes frustating because its money that one needs and then there is no work. At some point one is living in luxury and then it is a normal life. So one should be able to handle ups and downs which comes with this job”.
Credits: Milena
Milena got her first modeling project in Belgrade Fashion Week through her agency. The best of the models were chosen for the show from her agency. Milena was one of them. She is also working as a choreographer for fashion events. She started her journey as a choreographer in Balkan Art Fashion event and from there she started working in other fashion events as well. Talking about the importance of modeling agency, Milena said,
“Modeling agencies are very important in the beginning. Because they might not get one any project but definitely going to protect one from fake casting calls. If one wants to be model, they should definitely join legitimate agency with experience. This is very important in the initial career”.
The most rewarding moment for Milena is friends. She got a lot of friends in the industry. She met her close friend through modeling. They met in the same grooming class in the modeling school. For her, it is comforting that she is able to find her place in the industry. There is no fierce competition among the models in Serbia compared to the other countries. Moreover, her favorite places in the country are Belgrade, the capital, Tara- mountains in western Serbia, Central Serbia- Sumadija, and the Northern part where German influence can be seen. Talking about the traits to have to make it in the modeling industry, Milena said,
“One should have a sense of business. Also, one should know to approach it as a business. They should know how to sell oneself and gain profit. Furthermore, one should be a little more adventrous and willing to take risks”.
In the future, Milena would like to go to London to take further her modeling career and education.
Credits: Milena
During the worldwide lockdown, she got an opportunity to spend quality time with her family. Discussing her skin-care routine, Milena revealed,
“I do everyday fascial massage in the morning and in the evening. I follow basic skin care routine. Whenever I have shoots, I try to take good hours of sleep. I did not value sleep earlier but now I am taking care of my sleep routine as well. Also, I am not using any cosmetic product for skin and trying to keep it natural as much as I can. But most important is to feel good about oneself”.
Also Read: “MODELING IS THE LIVING ART”, FASHION MODEL, VAIBHAV PARIHAR
