Spirit Model Interview: Raven Ember

This scottish born and bred, flame haired, long legged alternative fashion model was snapped up by Spirit Models in 2012, after being bowled over by her unique style and bubbly attitude. Whether it is fashion, latex, lingerie, steam punk, pin up or character modelling, Raven fits in perfectly into every genre. We decided to catch up with her to find out about the highs and lows of her career, including opening London's Fashion Week aged just 17 years old. 

Hi there! Firstly, thank you so much for asking me to do this interview and to be your model of the month! I'm Jodie – RavenEmber – a 6ft 2in Scottish red head model. I've been modelling since I was 17 and I love it more now than I ever have!

What were your ambitions for your modeling career when you started out and do you feel you have achieved them?

When I began modeling in 1998 (ouch that makes me feel old!!) I was very much in the mainstream fashion industry. I was 17 years old and being flown about between London, Glasgow and Edinburgh for photoshoots, hair shows and catwalk shows. It was a great time and I learned so much about the industry! However, my ambitions weren't being met at this time. I had no control over what I was shooting and was told day to day what I was doing. I stopped modeling at this time after several years due to personal circumstances where I lost a lot of people I loved in a short space of time and chose instead to go to University where I gained a 1^st Class Honours Degree, graduating top of my year!

How did you get into modeling and why choose the Alternative genre?

I returned to modeling and chose to remain freelance for a long time to build up my own portfolio, working with local photographers to get my ideas for images out of my head and into the world! During this time, I styled all my own shoots and did all my own hair and make-up. I chose to return to the more alternative side of the industry because is suited my personality much better. I had more control and input during shoots and I got to see my ideas come to life! 

 

How is it affected your life so far?

Modeling is so important to me, I can honestly say it has changed my life! The freedom of expression I get from modeling fulfills my desires for creativity. I love to create beautiful images that inspire people. Although I still have to work part time to pay my bills, modeling is my career and every aspect of my life is affected by this. From my relationships with friends and family, to how I spend my money. Everything relates back to modeling and the creativity it inspires in me.

You live in Scotland, is there much of an alternative scene there?

There is definitely an alternative scene up here in chilly Scotland, but it is not as accepted as it might be in the rest of the UK. I still get comments from people about my hair colour, my piercings or my dress sense – and not necessarily from the people you'd expect! Most older people are fine with it and express their love of my individuality. It's the middle aged Mum's that give me dirty looks and tut in my direction that always shock me! I do live in a smaller town though. I don't usually get that reaction when I'm visiting the city.

How would you best describe your personal style?

I'm eclectic. I like a bit of everything! I have two main styles, my loafing about style and my out and about style. When I'm loafing about it's all about soft fabrics, no seams, fluffy socks and no make up. When I'm out and about it all depends on my mood. From very tailored fitted pencil skirts and feminine blouses, to full on hippy chic. My wardrobe has been built up over the years from charity shops, ebay and cheap clothing stores. A lot of my favourite pieces came from a lady I know who at 76 years old is still 6ft tall wearing a size 8. She had to move into a smaller house and gave me 13 black bags of vintage clothes! Everything from dresses to coats to hats and vintage wedding dresses!! Also I have a lovely friend Fiona McCrae who loves making clothes and is constantly giving me awesome things!

What is your personal view of the alternative modeling scene?

I love the alternative modeling scene and very much enjoy how it has almost become mainstream to be alternative! I very much enjoy the fact that it is a much harder industry to get into and to stay in. When I was younger, all you really needed was a few tattoos and bright hair to be recognisable and bookable as an alternative model, this has drastically changed for the better in my opinion. Models have to work harder to maintain their place in the industry because it is becoming more common and mainstream. It's not about how many tattoos you have anymore, it's finally about how well you can model and how much effort you put into learning your trade! Skill is the key now as opposed to what colour of hair you have.

What does the term ‘Alternative’ mean to you? 

Alternative to me covers a huge genre! There's the obvious alternative scene of dying your hair and having tattoos and piercings, but there a much bigger alternative scene developing and it fits everyone who doesn't fit into mainstream. If you're too old, or too tall; too skinny or too curvy! Geeks/nerds have become applicable in the alternative scene as well as goths, lolitas, emos and many more! It almost feels to me that “mainstream” has become the new elite and alternative, whereas “alternative” has become the more commonplace! A strange turn of affairs. :)

Have your friends and family supportive of your career? What was their reaction?

My friends and family have been a HUGE support during my career. They've always been supportive of anything I've wanted to do, and when I went into the modeling they were delighted for me because they know how much I love it. When times have been tough because of my career choice, they are always there to rally about me and cheer me on and support me in any way they can. My family – my Mam and my big sister – mean the world to me. If they had chosen not to support me, I don't think I would have gotten this far. We are a tiny family and their approval and love keep me going through the good times and the bad. My partner Grahame has also been a huge support to me, encouraging me when I'm feeling blue, pointing out the good things when all I can see are the bad, and giving me cuddles when I'm home from a shoot and frozen to the bone!

What has been the most special, memorable, highlight or most unique experience during your modeling career?

Oh this is such a tough question! Back when I started modeling, my most memorable and unique experience would be opening London fashion week at 17 years old at Wembley Arena, on the stage by myself with all the lights off and the hush of the auditorium, then me standing up,  the lights flooding down on me, throwing my hair back and “Hey Joe” blasting over the speakers as thousands of eyes turned to look at me.....I remember the feeling, the joy, the nerves! But most of all I remember thinking, “This is it! This is what I want to do for the rest of my life” *smiles at the memory*
Since getting back into modeling for the second time, there have been so many wonderful moments, but my own personal favourites have to be when photographers/designers/make up artists/hair stylists look at the pictures that have just been shot and are speechless....I love to make people proud, and having a room in silence because of the poses I do and the expressions I pull are amongst my own personal favourites :) Oh, also becoming a sponsered model for Geisha Wigs has to be a highlight!! :)

Who inspires you?

 

Another really tough question! I've never really had any famous inspirations.....style inspirations maybe, like Dita Von Teese and Kato, or pose inspirations like Ulorin Vex, but my life inspirations come from the people I love :) My two biggest inspirations in life have been my Mam and my best friend in school Morgan. My Mam has the most amazingly positive attitude of anyone I've ever met! She's been through some really really hard times, but always has a good outlook on life. She taught me and my brother and sister to be whoever we wanted to be, even if the rest of the world, including her, doesn't understand and that we should never be frightened of what the world thinks of us. You only have to answer to yourself, and if you see a good person in the mirror, and know you are trying your hardest to be best person you can, then you are doing a good job.....she also taught me manners are free, a lesson I've held close to my heart all my life. Morgan, my best friend when I was in school, is one of the bravest people I have ever had the pleasure to meet in my life. She developed brain cancer when we were 14, and she died a year later. This girl, at 14, woke up one day to discover she was blind and couldn't walk anymore, and still she smiled :) All through her horrendous treatments, she smiled, through her agonising physiotherapy, she smiled. She was the bravest person I have ever met and she still inspires me everyday to keep going and not let the world, or life's circumstances get me down <3

Is there a particular model/photographer/designer you would like to work with?

So many it would be boring to list! But top of the list has to be Tim Walker. This gentleman's work blows me away! His fashion work has a surrealist edge and I literally cannot say

enough good things about this man.....amazing, awe-inspiring, at times amusing, beautiful....unique.

Do you have a sideline career and if so what do you do?

At the moment I work in a supermarket to make sure I can pay my bills at the end of every month! On top of that I am a learning photographer and I do work as a stylist for shoots. No matter what becomes of my modeling career, I hope to remain in this industry. The freedom of expression and the creativity are aspects I would always like to work with throughout my life.

 Interview by Sapphira Chattan