From model turned mentor, Rachael Williams is a lady with an inspiring vision to reach out to young females. Her modelling seen her featured in magazines like Vogue and has taken her all around the world . Now she wants to empower teenage girls to take their ambitions and dreams into their own hands with her ‘We Girls Rock’ organisation. We had a chat with Rachael aboout modelling, We Girls Rock and what it means to be a young role model today.
How did you get into modelling?
I feel my career started when I won Miss Black Britain in 2006. It was such an amazing achievement for me as I had zero modelling experience and was new to the industry.
After that came networking parties, fashion show invites, invites to be judges and more!
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I love Travelling. I love to hear my agent say, ‘Rachael this week you’re in Spain, next week in Miami then back to London to travel to Africa’. It’s so beautiful to see the world, especially as I’m young. I also love the fact that every job different. You always meet different people and learn about different careers and lives too.
What advice do you give to aspiring models?
I would say you should learn to be strong within yourself. There will be many times when you rejected than accepted. So stay focused on your goal. Also research on modelling agencies and select the best one for you. As a top agency is not always great as you could get lost withing their books!
What is We Girls Rock?
We Girls Rock is a new organisation to London that I established a few years ago.We do short taster courses in Fashion, Business, Sports and Entertainment, for girls aged 13 plus.
How did the idea for it come about?
I started We Girls Rock, as I never had anyone to mentor me or offer me guidance when I started out modelling. I had to make mistakes to learn and grow as very quick as an individual.
So We Girls Rock offers leadership, guidance and insight into many different career paths that young women can take.
Why do you think it’s important to reach out to young females in this way?
It is important because young women need certain groundings in life. And we believe that if they have an active, passionate input in their subjects choice then they will achieve higher. As well as giving specific course related skills our courses also help to develop and strengthen their Self confidence, Self awareness, communication levels, team workmanship and increase fitness levels.
What’s the most exciting thing that’s happened with We Girls Rock so far?
Well we just secured an course pack with Mizani (L’oreal)! They taught our Hairdressing course at the L’Oreal Academy Hammersmith in mid Feb 2011. Such an amazing opportunity for us as a new organisation and a for the young girls who attended!
What are We Girls Rock doing for International Women’s Day?
For IWD WGR are developing an all female music viral, featuring over 40 women in London. We have a range of ages, job sectors, classes, status, races and cultures and we want to express that no matter who you are we are all still women, and should stand together on positive matters to that help women all around the world. This will be aired In March 2011, and be active on our website.
What inspires you to get out and make a difference?
I always feel inspired by younger women, who approach saying how much of a role model I am to them, its that that keeps my pushing harder with We Girls Rock, and opening doors for all women with my career.
www.rachael-williams.com
www.wegirlsrock.com
