Chantal Stafford-Abbott: Model Interview

Donkeys For Life (A Facebook Message Thread)
October 22 at 10:34pm

Hey C,
How’s it going? It was cool seeing you at the Luca Luca show last month in New York. I actually filmed a bit of the runthrough, and will be posting that video on my site soon.

Are you still running around the world?! Anyway, I wanted to know if I could send you a few questions about your modeling experience – I’d like to interview you for my site. The story would focus on your experiences, life lessons and mostly to inspire those who are thinking about becoming a model…

Chat soon – Sachin x

October 23 at 3:36pm

Hahah, donkeys are for sure for life you know that…

Cool, let me know when you post the video I wanna see!

Running like there’s no tomorrow… really it’s crazy.

I just lost my blackberry before getting on the train in a hurry this morning (aka worst morning of my life) — and yes, I’m taking the train to NY because I’m a cheap bum and it was only 62 CANADIAN dollars And it’s 11 hours and 5 minutes, holly molly… And it was cancelled so I had to take a bus to Albany and transfer to a train there AAAAAAAHHHH KILL ME!

Sorry bout that… Anyways OF COURSE you can interview me for your blog. I checked it out, it’s really cool! Super interesting things, I think it’s going to be great!

Chow kid stay cool

Catching Up With Chantal Stafford-Abbott

October 23 at 4:30pm

Sachin Bhola: So, tell me more about your disaster of a morning…
Chantal: It all started off when my annoying blackberry alarm went off this morning and I jumped out of bed in a hurry, scared to miss my train. I packed up my bags in a second and a half and jumped in the car with my mom. Unfortunately, I won’t be hearing my lovely phone alarm anytime soon because I LOST MY BLACKBERRY (!) before getting on the train. Only God knows how that happened. Oh wait a minute, I didn’t even get on the train because it was cancelled. I had to take a stuffy bus to Albany and then transfer to another train. Why in the world did Chantal decide to take the train to NYC you ask? Simply because I’m a cheap bum and it was only 62 CANADIAN dollars, and because I’m not a supermodel — YET! Mouhaha

Sachin: Right now you’re on an 11-hour train ride to New York, and you’re thinking…
Chantal Stafford-Abbott: How am I going to get all those numbers I lost from my phone? Why didn’t I bring ear plugs (snoring man beside me)? And what awaits me in NYC?

Sachin: What brings you to New York?
Chantal: I’m going to NYC to have the best time of my life and meet great people, and maybe even do some modeling

Sachin: What songs are on your playlist to get you through the ride?
Chantal: “New York, I Love You” by LCD Soundsystem; “Show Some Emotion” by Joan Armatrading; “Fashionable People” by Joel Plaskett; “Fuck You” by Cee Lo Green; Bon Iver and Atmosphere.

Modeling Advice From Chantal Stafford-Abbott

Sachin: How did you get started in the business?
Chantal: A couple of years ago I was set on the idea of acting (still am), but modeling sounded like a good alternative. I went to an open call casting at an agency in Montreal one day with my mom and sister (hi) and two months later I shot my first cover! It was as simple as that.

Sachin: What has been the highlight of your career?
Chantal: One of the really great moments of my career was participating in the Fashions Night Out fashion show this past Fashion Week in New York. It was so exiting to see all the supermodels and to actually walk the same runway as them. It was also kind of cool that out of all the 150 models, I was the only redhead

Sachin: What are some common mistakes new models make?
Chantal Stafford-Abbott: The worst mistake you could make is to assume that it all comes easily and that modeling is glamorous and that you don’t have to work hard for your money.

Sachin: What are some common challenges working models face? How do you overcome them?
Chantal: REJECTION. It usually happens more than acceptance, unfortunately. I think it’s just important to remind yourself not to take anything personally and to remember where you came from, and that your values stay the same no matter what.

Sachin: On looking the part, how should a model present herself (from wardrobe to makeup) to make the best first impression?
Chantal: I think it’s great to see originality in models clothing and style. It is important to be really natural (hair and makeup) and to look energized and healthy.

Chantal Stafford-Abbott On Fashion & Style

Sachin: Favorite designer?
Chantal: One of my favorite designers is, hands down, Marc Jacobs. Everything he does is stunning and he is extremely creative and talented at what he does. You can understand how doing the show was really exiting for me. I got to see a little bit of what happens before the clothes are sent down the runway and, trust me, the process is incredible.

Sachin: The one thing you always wear to every casting?
Chantal: A pair of Escada leather heels that I got to keep after doing the show. They’re my favorite!

Sachin: Favorite places to hang out in Europe?
Chantal Stafford-Abbot: When I’m in Paris I love to hang around Saint-Paul – there’s a lot of cheap vintage shopping and cute restaurants. There’s always something to see there.

Thank you, C, for being a part of this. You have a good head on your shoulders and I wish you continued success on your journey. P.S. You also have great taste in music! – Sachin

Photos (from top): (1) Elle Canada, November 2009 (2) Model street style (3) Dries Van Noten, Fall 2008 (4) Vivienne Westwood, Spring 2011 (5) Versus, Spring 2011(6) Marc Jacobs, Spring 2011