Argentina is famous for many things. Lionel Messi, the Tango, their Gauchos and their gorgeous wine to name a few. Now they can add Barbara Mascia to their list.
Mascia was studying business administration in Argentina and whilst sitting at her desk one day, it struck her that she was meant for more incredible things. She knew in that moment that this was not the life she wanted to follow. She knew she had to leave now, she knew she had to go to New York and sign up as model.
Right, so clearly we are not talking about your average girl next door because that is a huge goal. Mascia did not see this an impossible dream but one that required immediate action. Talk about courage!
As you can imagine her parents advised her against it but not only that, all those around her starting chipping away at the dream with “you’re not tall enough”, “you’re not thin enough”, and “you’re not pretty enough”.
But nothing stops Mascia. She struck a deal with her folks. She will go to NYC, and if she did not get signed she would come back, study, get a regular job and follow an average life. This is a 17-year-old, who has never travelled, never modelled, and she was going solo to NYC to launch her modelling career. Somehow we don’t think ‘average’ would ever be on her radar.
Biting The Big Apple
As this High Fashion modelling fairy tale goes, one night at 2am in a nightclub, an agent walks over to our heroine Mascia and hands over his card.
She makes an appointment and is sent off to her first casting ever and immediately receives proposals from five agencies to sign her. Bam! Just like that. She lands her dream.
New York City is a fashion capital of North America. Designers like Betsey Johnson, Calvin Klein, Derek Lam, Donna Karan, Isaac Mizrahi, and Philip Lim launched their careers there. Kate Spade, Marc Jacobs, Kenneth Cole, and Ralph Lauren, among many others have their headquarters there. There are more than 5 000 fashion showrooms, more than any other city in the world, and more than 75 leading fashion trade shows/weeks each year. The modelling market is massive.
Vanessa Helmer, model scout and agent with more than 30 years of experience in the industry, advises that NYC is a city that isn’t a place “to start your career. Build up experience and a portfolio working with a reputable modelling agency before heading to one of these cities (the big 4) to catapult your modelling career into its most successful stages.”
Mascia chose her agent out of the five proposals, flew back home, packed, said goodbye to all the doubters and to university and flew back to New York. That’s a career launch that is as fast as a SpaceX rocket.
New York And More
Mascia was blown away. Her dream had happened. Her first big campaign shoot was for Replay. Mascia shares her delight, “It was surreal and super cool. I went to Panama (for the first time). I flew in business class. It was all so new and eye opening. I was surrounded by experienced, high-flying models, and I couldn’t believe I was standing amongst them and being used as a lead model.
It was without hard work though, fighting back huge bouts of fear and being treated unkindly. Mascia reflects, “I had to be taught how to pose, how to act, how to be comfortable in front of the camera, how to attend castings and how to speak English. It was hard work with long hours and lots of demands because I didn’t have the luxury of time. It was happening now.”
“In NYC, the modelling competition is intense.” Mascia continues, “Being around these girls can be tough on your self-esteem as they are all in impeccable condition, they have perfect hair in perfect condition, they have the best make-up on, and they are fighting to be at the top.
“At castings, the other girls would look sideways at me because my English was not good or I didn’t know the process. You have to be strong and believe in yourself, love yourself and work on your confidence. Also, be super positive, if you are negative, it will show on you.”
To Infinity, Mascia And Beyond
“I am proud to be here in NYC. Argentinians have a laid back approach to life, so it was a huge step for me to move, at 17, to NYC. And I made it. I am so proud of this,” beams Mascia. “I want to do a lot of mag covers and get a big campaign like Dior Perfume or Chanel. After modelling, I would like to start my own business perhaps in skincare, or make-up, for women but always with a careful eye on being gentle on Mother Earth.”
And for those young girls who want to follow in the path of rocket-ship Mascia? “Firstly, be present”, Mascia advises passionately. “In casting, it is surprising to see some models that are not present in the moment, they are busy on their phones or they have a long face because they want to be at home, not at the casting. It is so important to be present in the moment regardless of what industry you are in.
“But more importantly, if you have a goal, you must go for it. If you dream it, you can do it. Don’t fear being alone; you can achieve a whole new life, all on your own. Envisage it, and it will materialise.”
And that, dear readers, is how a superstar does it. Next phenomenal launch from Mascia will be soon, no doubt!