Former Victoria’s Secret model Elyse Taylor spoke with Vogue Australia about social media, her decision to get breast implants, and the unregulated nature of the modelling industry.
Here are our highlights:
It’s more three dimensional. Social media really sets you apart: you need to be interesting, have goals and something else going on. You can’t just be a model anymore because it’s all about followers.
There’s no healthcare, there’s no regulated hours. Sometimes we don’t get paid, sometimes our agencies take more than their commission. It’s a very unregulated industry and there’s no union — there’s no anything. And a lot of girls work for free, even with the shows you don’t get paid, you get trade. It makes it hard when girls aren’t banding together and they’re willing to do something for free.
It [Taylor’s breast enhancement surgery] was a personal decision; small breasts are never a problem but it got to a point where I could make a substantial amount more money in my career if I did get them because I’m blonde with blue eyes and I’ve got a bum! And then literally a week later I started work with Victoria’s Secret and then the ball started rolling. […] I was 23 so I wasn’t too young and I think I was old enough to make that decision enough in myself. […] I think you need to be an adult and make decisions that are right for you. The end.
