Model Moments: Grace Cameron ‣ Body & Sleeves

Fashion model Grace Cameron, who began her modeling career while still in high school, experienced a rapid evolution in her personal identity thanks to early exposure to a variety of people and creatives in the fashion industry. This environment liberated her from the conventional pressures to conform, fostering a strong sense of self from a young age.

Q: How has your personal identity evolved with your career in fashion?

Grace Cameron: Jumping into the industry in high school really fast-tracked my personal development. I was thrown into a mix of so many different people and creatives, which really freed me from trying to fit in like my friends back home were doing.

Q: What has been the most challenging aspect of modeling for you, and how did you overcome it? What did you learn about yourself through the process?

Grace: Dealing with the downtime and the waiting has been tough. There are weeks when I’m not working, and being in a foreign country without my usual roots or routines can really test my spirit. I’ve tackled this by diving into online studies and finding ways to feel at home wherever I am. This challenge has shown me just how adaptable I am and underscored the importance of keeping myself inspired and engaged.

Q: Modeling can be as demanding mentally as it is physically. How do you maintain your mental health and well-being in such a high-pressure industry?

Grace: For me, maintaining a diverse support network outside the industry is crucial. It’s easy to lose sight of who you are when your job is so focused on your appearance. My friends and family, who aren’t involved in the industry, help keep me grounded. Also, therapy has been invaluable—just having that space to unpack everything helps a lot.

Q: The fashion industry often deals with stereotypes. Have you faced any, and how did you challenge or overcome them?

Grace: As a cis het white woman, I’ve been largely shielded from the more harmful stereotyping that persists in the industry. Recognizing the privilege my demographic has historically enjoyed, I understand the importance of advocating for more diversity and challenging the outdated norms that still prevail. There’s a lot of work to do, and it’s crucial to acknowledge the ongoing issues and the damage they cause.

Q: What’s something people would be surprised to learn about the life of a fashion model? Any common misconceptions you’d like to address?

Grace: Many people think modeling is all glamour and light work, but that’s far from the truth. The job involves a lot of hard, often unglamorous work behind the scenes. From early call times to long hours waiting around on set, it’s not as easy as it looks.