Push to Fire: Alternative Music Webzine

Push to Fire Fashion Interview: Ulorin Vex
Ulorin Vex is a UK based alternative model with four years of industry experience. As well as doing modelling she also is a talented illustrator and has a degree. The following interview was conducted via the power of email in January 2008 by Suzy Witts.

1. How did you get into modelling (and when?)
My first ever shoot was about 4 years ago, I have a bit of a poor memory but I think I just saw cool pictures on the internet and decided I’d quite like to give it a go. I only did a couple of shoots in the first year though and didn’t really start modelling properly until a year later after I finished uni.
2. What do you think the hardest thing has been in the development of your modelling career?
I’m not sure there has been anything specific. I tend to just see how things turn out and seem to have been quite lucky.
3. What's been the highlight of your modelling experience so far?
Probably going to America for the first time, it was quite scary going all that way by myself but it was so cool and different to here.
4. What plans have you got for the next few months (in relation to your modelling)?
I’m actually having a bit of a break at the moment, I have a few shoots booked for January but after that I’m having a month or two off to make time to apply for a Masters.

Ulorin Vex by Russell Coleman

5. You also do a bit of illustration and art in your spare time. How do you see that progressing in the future? What are your plans for that?
I do have one or two projects involving my artwork in the pipeline but nothing is definite yet so I don’t want to say anything! Long term though, I think it will remain just a hobby for now. I’m not quite good enough or fast enough at getting things finished to make a career of it.
6. What type of modelling do you do? (if multiple types, which is your favourite type and why?)
Loads of different stuff, but mostly hair modelling, alternative fashion and fine art nudes. I like them all equally for different reasons.
7. Who inspires you and why?
If you mean modelling-wise (I guess you do!) I do admire a model called Alex Simwise. She’s quite a successful UK glamour model, and I read her profile on myspace sometimes. Her writings are always very intelligent and she has a really down to earth and genuine personality.

Ulorin Vex by Russell Coleman
8. Where have you travelled with your modelling? How do you find the approaches towards the profession in these countries? does it differ at all?
I’ve been all over Germany, I seem to get a lot of work there. Last year I also went to Sweden and Spain and I’ve been to Los Angeles twice now too. To be honest, I can’t really tell much difference! The only people I have much contact with are the photographers and other people involved in the shoot and they always seem to love what they do no matter where they’re from.
9. Which magazines have you been on the cover of?
Gothic Beauty, Flush and Forum. And quite a few clothing catalogues.
10. If you could work with any company, photographer or organisation who would you love to work with?
I’d love to shoot with Ellen von Unwerth and/or David LaChapelle, I don’t mind what for.
11. You always have different coloured hair, what type of hairdye do you use?
When it was red I just used Stargazer (whichever red they had in the shop). Since I changed it to orange I’ve been using a mixture of Manic Panic oranges.

12. Thinking about your shoots, which has been the most challenging and why?
Probably one of the many fine art nude shoots on location outdoors. It can get quite cold and it’s always a challenge to make graceful shapes lying on scratchy granite rocks with numb toes!
13. Which shoot have you enjoyed the most?
Probably the first ever shoot I did for Mother of London clothing

Ulorin Vex by Russell Coleman

14. Have you been able to keep any of the clothes you have worn in your shoots? If yes, which ones?
Sometimes I’ve been allowed to keep bits and pieces. I got a couple of t-shirts, hoodies and loads of undies from the Toxico Clothing catalogue shoot, which was really cool. I’ve had one or two latex outfits and corsets too but most of the time I have to give the stuff back after the shoot.
15. You recently got a contract with TIGI hair design, tell me more about what this will involve... how did you feel about landing such a high profile contract?
I’ve already done the latest European collection recently, which was a full day getting my hair cut and coloured then another day doing promo videos and a couple of shoots. It was really fun, I’ve never really done videos before so it was all quite new to me. I might be doing one or two hair shows for them too this year but I haven’t got any details yet. I was pretty chuffed when I got picked for the job as I don’t have an agency and it’s not the sort of work that I would have expected to get freelance. And the new haircut/colour they gave me is very cool :)
16. Do you have a 'day job'? if so, what do you do?
I do have a day job at the moment, just regular non-exciting office work!

17. Do you think the internet has been a useful tool for models? How/why? Has it provided any issues for you (e.g. fakes)?
Yeah, for freelance models especially as it provides somewhere where you can network and show your portfolio, what an agency would usually do for you. There are lots of sites now with forums and casting boards offering work.
I have had lots of problems with fakes, but they usually tend to be on social sites like myspace so it doesn’t really affect modelling, it’s just a bit annoying and creepy.

Ulorin Vex by Russell Coleman

18. What music do you enjoy listening to?
I have really diverse musical tastes. My favourite is music from the 80s, whether it’s pop or new romantic or anything else. But I like most things from goth to indie to metal and lots of modern pop too. Mostly anything that isn’t RnB.
19. In some of your shots you have worked with your twin sister, is she pursuing a modelling career in the same way that you are? If no, why not?
We do shoots together every now and then but she’s really busy doing her PhD and doesn’t have a lot of spare time.
20. What do you enjoy doing to chill out after a busy day of work?
I just laze around and browse the internet or read books
21. You have a degree from Durham University, what career did you want to follow when you were at school?
I never really had a clear idea what I wanted to do as a career when I was at school. I still didn’t really have a clue even at Uni and changed my mind so much I even swapped courses after the first year. I’m hoping to do a Masters this year related to Conservation and eventually pursue a career in that field.

You can visit Ulorin Vex's Official Site to find out more about her modelling and illustration. All photos used alongside this interview are © copyright Russell Coleman www.rootofsilence.com. Thanks go to Ulorin Vex for taking the time to answer our questions and letting us use these fantastic images!

Push to Fire Fashion Interview: Ulorin Vex Ulorin Vex is a UK based alternative model with four years of industry experience. As well as doing modelling she also is a talented illustrator and has a degree. The following interview was conducted via the power of email in January 2008 by Suzy Witts.
1. How did you get into modelling (and when?) My first ever shoot was about 4 years ago, I have a bit of a poor memory but I think I just saw cool pictures on the internet and decided I’d quite like to give it a go. I only did a couple of shoots in the first year though and didn’t really start modelling properly until a year later after I finished uni. 2. What do you think the hardest thing has been in the development of your modelling career? I’m not sure there has been anything specific. I tend to just see how things turn out and seem to have been quite lucky. 3. What's been the highlight of your modelling experience so far? Probably going to America for the first time, it was quite scary going all that way by myself but it was so cool and different to here. 4. What plans have you got for the next few months (in relation to your modelling)? I’m actually having a bit of a break at the moment, I have a few shoots booked for January but after that I’m having a month or two off to make time to apply for a Masters.
5. You also do a bit of illustration and art in your spare time. How do you see that progressing in the future? What are your plans for that? I do have one or two projects involving my artwork in the pipeline but nothing is definite yet so I don’t want to say anything! Long term though, I think it will remain just a hobby for now. I’m not quite good enough or fast enough at getting things finished to make a career of it. 6. What type of modelling do you do? (if multiple types, which is your favourite type and why?) Loads of different stuff, but mostly hair modelling, alternative fashion and fine art nudes. I like them all equally for different reasons. 7. Who inspires you and why? If you mean modelling-wise (I guess you do!) I do admire a model called Alex Simwise. She’s quite a successful UK glamour model, and I read her profile on myspace sometimes. Her writings are always very intelligent and she has a really down to earth and genuine personality.
8. Where have you travelled with your modelling? How do you find the approaches towards the profession in these countries? does it differ at all? I’ve been all over Germany, I seem to get a lot of work there. Last year I also went to Sweden and Spain and I’ve been to Los Angeles twice now too. To be honest, I can’t really tell much difference! The only people I have much contact with are the photographers and other people involved in the shoot and they always seem to love what they do no matter where they’re from. 9. Which magazines have you been on the cover of? Gothic Beauty, Flush and Forum. And quite a few clothing catalogues. 10. If you could work with any company, photographer or organisation who would you love to work with? I’d love to shoot with Ellen von Unwerth and/or David LaChapelle, I don’t mind what for. 11. You always have different coloured hair, what type of hairdye do you use? When it was red I just used Stargazer (whichever red they had in the shop). Since I changed it to orange I’ve been using a mixture of Manic Panic oranges.
12. Thinking about your shoots, which has been the most challenging and why? Probably one of the many fine art nude shoots on location outdoors. It can get quite cold and it’s always a challenge to make graceful shapes lying on scratchy granite rocks with numb toes! 13. Which shoot have you enjoyed the most? Probably the first ever shoot I did for Mother of London clothing
14. Have you been able to keep any of the clothes you have worn in your shoots? If yes, which ones? Sometimes I’ve been allowed to keep bits and pieces. I got a couple of t-shirts, hoodies and loads of undies from the Toxico Clothing catalogue shoot, which was really cool. I’ve had one or two latex outfits and corsets too but most of the time I have to give the stuff back after the shoot. 15. You recently got a contract with TIGI hair design, tell me more about what this will involve... how did you feel about landing such a high profile contract? I’ve already done the latest European collection recently, which was a full day getting my hair cut and coloured then another day doing promo videos and a couple of shoots. It was really fun, I’ve never really done videos before so it was all quite new to me. I might be doing one or two hair shows for them too this year but I haven’t got any details yet. I was pretty chuffed when I got picked for the job as I don’t have an agency and it’s not the sort of work that I would have expected to get freelance. And the new haircut/colour they gave me is very cool :) 16. Do you have a 'day job'? if so, what do you do? I do have a day job at the moment, just regular non-exciting office work!
17. Do you think the internet has been a useful tool for models? How/why? Has it provided any issues for you (e.g. fakes)? Yeah, for freelance models especially as it provides somewhere where you can network and show your portfolio, what an agency would usually do for you. There are lots of sites now with forums and casting boards offering work. I have had lots of problems with fakes, but they usually tend to be on social sites like myspace so it doesn’t really affect modelling, it’s just a bit annoying and creepy. 18. What music do you enjoy listening to? I have really diverse musical tastes. My favourite is music from the 80s, whether it’s pop or new romantic or anything else. But I like most things from goth to indie to metal and lots of modern pop too. Mostly anything that isn’t RnB. 19. In some of your shots you have worked with your twin sister, is she pursuing a modelling career in the same way that you are? If no, why not? We do shoots together every now and then but she’s really busy doing her PhD and doesn’t have a lot of spare time. 20. What do you enjoy doing to chill out after a busy day of work? I just laze around and browse the internet or read books 21. You have a degree from Durham University, what career did you want to follow when you were at school? I never really had a clear idea what I wanted to do as a career when I was at school. I still didn’t really have a clue even at Uni and changed my mind so much I even swapped courses after the first year. I’m hoping to do a Masters this year related to Conservation and eventually pursue a career in that field.
You can visit Ulorin Vex's Official Site to find out more about her modelling and illustration. All photos used alongside this interview are © copyright Russell Coleman www.rootofsilence.com. Thanks go to Ulorin Vex for taking the time to answer our questions and letting us use these fantastic images!