Alternative modeling caters to the more gothic, punk, rockabilly, Lolita, any-other-alternative-subculture side of the industry. Here Erin Jones tells us about her adventures as an 'Alt'.

By Erin Jones




I first tried out to be an alternative model early last year but received a rejection email a few days later saying that I “wasn’t what they were looking for”. Rather disheartened by it all I decided that it was just another one of my ridiculous ideas and resolved myself to think no more about it. Some time later I received another email telling me that the model who was supposed to be doing the shoot I had applied for could no longer attend, and would it be possible for me to go in her place?

I of course jumped at the chance of becoming the Kate Moss of the alternative scene and happily toddled along to the shoot a couple of weeks later where I met a lovely photographer named Charlotte O’Shea. The shoot (Victoriana themed) was held in a smallholding type scene, a beautiful if muddy location I stalked around in arch stilettos. The hours flew by and after a very enjoyable afternoon I bid farewell to the photographer and decided that I definitely wanted to do that again soon.


Off the back of this set of photos I was accepted into the promotions site that had previously turned me down, I chose the modeling name ‘Lark’ (it is customary for models in this field to choose an alias to be known by) and as I result I attended many more shoots and had an amazing Summer traveling around the country meeting lots of new, fabulous people. In this time I was privileged enough to work with a wonderfully talented young photographer named Cat Kershaw. Cat has such technical ability and the creativity of artist so it was a real thrill to work with her.

Mind you it wasn't all glamour. On my second meeting with Charlotte O'Shea I discovered what I thought was going to be a pretty woodland shoot actually turned into a near death experience. Instead of a fairy glen I was expecting I was taken to swamp-esque marshland near the bank of a river. I was wearing ballet pumps so I had no grip whatsoever in the muddy terrain. This could only end in disaster and it did. Charlotte wanted to get some shots with the river in the background so I was required to climb down some slimy rocks to get to the ideal spot. Unfortunately I didn't get that far. I slipped after the first step and sliced my leg open on a piece if stray barbed wire. I protested that I was okay but I couldn't keep the act up for long as I fainted soon after.

Presumably there is a picture of my face down body drifting gently down stream. But to be honest near death experiences were thankfully rare.



As time went on I started do more shoots until eventually I even had an offer to appear in Front magazine. I wasn’t sure whether or not it would be the best idea to pose topless considering the nature of my ‘proper’ job. I decided to ignore the lad-smut and really go for it. It was time to apply to a major alt modeling agency.

Although I have 13 piercings and a tattoo (okay, it is a very small tattoo), I was turned down because I was considered “not alternative enough”. I still maintain to this day that is was the most insulting and offensive thing anyone has ever said to me. I had much rather they had said that I was butt ugly than not alt enough! That was the end for me. I gave up modeling and haven’t done a single shoot since.

Although it was fun while it lasted I feel that one is only truly accepted into the alternative modeling world if they are covered head to toe with tattoos, have brightly dyed pink hair and have no more than two facial features without some kind of piercing. It is kind of all or nothing in that respect and in that sense just another stereotype.

Got a story to tell? Reach us on twitter ...