Interview with Face of Fashion week Finalist Courtney Taylor

Well today we are sitting down to chat with Courtney Taylor one of the finalists of the face of fashion week who is in the mix with Ten others to be appointed the face of the QT Fashion Week and Awards 2014 to be held in April.
Starting off with the basics who what and where inspires you most..?
There’s a story that has continuously inspired me to always try to make a difference.
There was a man taking a morning walk at the beach. He saw that along with the morning tide came hundreds of starfish and when the tide receded, they were left and with the morning sun rays and they would die. The tide was fresh and the starfish were alive. The man took a few steps, picked one and threw it into the water. He did that repeatedly. Right behind him there was another person who couldn’t understand what this man was doing. He caught up with him and asked, “What are you doing? There are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What difference does it make?” This man did not reply, took two more steps, picked up another one, threw it into the water, and said, “It makes a difference to this one.”
If you had to describe yourself to someone in a few short words what would you say …?
In a few words, I can describe myself to be motivated, outgoing, hardworking, and energetic and a very presentable person. I appreciate what it means to be a reliable and committed to someone or something, so I’m always on time and well prepared.
Where would you say you find your motivation …?
What motivates me was from my childhood. All throughout primary school, from grade 3 to grade 7, I was bullied. I was teased for being overweight, different, and taller than my friends. I would run to the gate after school, into my mum and dads arms and sometimes I cried, and other days I wouldn’t say anything. I’ve been called many things, “fat,” “a huge bus,” even “a whale,” and as a child these are what caused me to hate myself. The night of my grade 7 graduation, my teacher told me to show everyone I wasn’t what they called me, and that’s what I’ve done. It has motivated me to love myself for everything I am, everything I can achieve and everything I can become.
What would you say fashion means to you…?
Fashion to me is a statement. I love it. I’m studying to one day being a stylist in Sydney. For myself it’s not what you’re wearing, it’s how you wear it.
When did you first get started in modelling and what made you get into the industry …?
I started modeling at the beginning of 2013 with confidence and an open mind. What really drove me into this industry was after a local photographer contacted me in hope I would collaborate ideas and styling designs for a photo shoot. While we were emailing vigorously back and forth, she mentioned that I would fit perfectly for the outcome she wanted. After seeing the shots, showing my friends and family, and on social media, the comments were all positive, and opened the idea of modelling.
What would you say has been a career highlight so far..?
The highlight within my short period of modeling would be when Jesinta Campbell went out of her way to contact me. Through connections I was lucky enough to speak to the beautiful Miss Campbell about modelling and a healthy image for the industry.
As the Gold Coast is pretty different market how would you describe Gold Coast Fashion …?  What makes it different in your eyes …? 
In my eyes Gold Coast fashion is a huge collaboration of local designers, stylist, fabric designers, creators and inspirers. Gold Coast fashion thrives off individuality and is always up to date with what’s hot and what’s not, and is overall fun, flirty, and original.
What do you hope to come from your experience in the Face of Fashion week Competition…?
I hope from this experience that I can encourage those who don’t believe that healthy, average girls can stand out for the right reasons. To inspire young girls to be comfortable in their skin, and accept who they are. Overall I would love to get myself out there, hopefully make it to the top 3, and come out on top.
Now as a final question what makes you stand out from the other finalists of Face of Fashion Week…
What would make me stand out from the other finalists of Face of Fashion Week would be my healthy image. I’m not the typical stick thin, body conscious model. I haven’t been lucky enough to work with as many clients or promoters for this reason, but for this reason, I can comfortably stand our form the ‘normal’ model image, and be booked for who I am  and what I can offer.
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