Fresh Talent
Lucy Cates: On Model Behaviour
June 6, 2012 Nicola  |
Lucy Cates was scouted by photographer Scott Cole just over a year ago and she has been modelling ever since.
Just over a year ago, Lucy Cates was working as an assistant manager in a clothes shop. Her alternative style caught the eye of photographer, Rob Coles, who works for tattoo and alternative magazines.
“It was quite a privilege that he wanted to work with me,” says Lucy. “Since then everything’s developed and it’s got bigger and bigger.”
Lucy talked us through some of these tattoos that attracted Rob’s attention. “Almost all my tattoos are music-related,” she says, “apart from my owl.”
And any plans for more?
“I want to get X-Files tattoos – Mulder and Scully portraits on each leg. I’ve been thinking about whether I want to get that done or not, because it’s quite a big thing.”
Lucy’s aware that having so many tattoos will have an impact on her career: “If you’re absolutely covered in tattoos, I don’t necessarily think it’s as acceptable to be a fashion model.”
And, although Lucy mainly does alternative modelling showcasing these tattoos, she is branching out into fashion as well: “I don’t want to just be a tattoo model. I have got tattoos, but I don’t think I necessarily should be just branded as a tattoo model.
“So I’ve gone on to do more fashion stuff, mainly magazine work, catwalks, collaborating with designers, jewellery companies, latex companies. I basically want to do as much as I can.”
And it doesn’t stop there. Lucy recently appeared in the TV series Switch and is on the verge of being cast in a music video. She’s really embracing the variety of work coming her way: “I wouldn’t say I’m an experienced actor but from what I’ve done so far I seem to be quite confident and I can adapt.
“In modelling you have to take on a different role, the focus is on you, you have to be very confident and it’s almost like you’re telling a story sometimes. With that it’s very similar to acting.”
Lucy is always looking to learn and improve. She looks to others in her industry for inspiration in style and attitude and has found a role model in make-up artist and fellow model, Ryo Love: “Ryo’s been modelling for over three years and she’s been such great support, great help.
“Ryo’s been a very good at telling me how [the industry] works, what to expect, what not to expect, things like that. I think it’s very handy working with her.”
Although Lucy launched her career often doing unpaid work, she is now in a position where that isn’t always necessary: “I feel a bit mean doing it, I don’t want to be like a diva, but at the same time I have to be realistic. You can only do something for free for so long.”
And Lucy has just completed her favourite shoot yet, working with Ryo Love and photographer Matthew Craig: “The images I’ve seen have been the best images so far.
“At the moment, I want to work with the best people I can. I’ve got to that stage of my modelling where I need to be working with better people.
“I need to be raising the bar and this is definitely one of those steps.”
By Talia Rose Hughes
[Image courtesy of Lucy Cates]
