She’s a model, designer and one of the busiest women you’ll ever meet. A style-maven in her own right, Ella Cole has slowly but surely made a name for herself within the fashion industry. Having previously posed for the likes of FHM, Front Magazine and Ann Summers, the Essex based model recently swapped the camera for a needle and thread, with plans to launch an innovative punk line, appropriately called Steam Couture.
Somehow in midst of her hectic schedule, Cole also finds time to dabble as a makeup artist, do the odd spot of acting and spend a quality day or two in sunny LA with her fiancé, Black Veil Brides guitarist Jack Pitts. Opening up to Hit The Floor about her new fashion-label here’s what she had to say.
HTF: For our readers who don’t know you. Tell us a little bit about yourself?
EC: My names Ella Cole. I’m a British internationally published model, designer, actress, makeup artist – loads of things that aren’t interesting. I’m from and live in Essex but have lived all over, from Devon to North Scotland, as my dad was in the military. I have a great love of animals, they are my favourite kind of people. I grew up with horses and they are a big part of my life. I currently own three, two ponies in Scotland, with my dad, and Babooshka my beloved ex race horse. For those of you who know me will know who she is! I also half live in LA wife my fiancé – I quite like him too. Apart from that it’s all pretty normal.
HTF: Sounds hectic! How long have you been modelling and how long did you start?
EC: Well being a model was not actually on my list of career choices! I originally was going to join the royal artillery as a officer and become a large animal vet. I had to leave school early, due to something pretty awful, so was home schooled from age 13. My mother – who may I add is my best friend and only role model – entered me into a ELLE girl competition at 13. In shock I got to the last 25. I had no idea!
After that I signed with a fashion agency in Glasgow at 15. I did that for a bit but never got very tall, so at 16 was scouted my IMM, my current agency. When I hit 18 I decided to pursue a career in lingerie, lads mags and commercial and it took off pretty well. I ended up doing a lot of the major lads mags. Really my goal was to go into TV or acting, so I put modelling on hold for a couple of years and went to college to study drama and performing arts.
HTF: Whats been your favourite job to date ?
EC: Oh, there’s been so many but I think I have to say my bizarre cover as a vampire! It was just such a memorable and amazing shoot. It was also done by one of favourite photographers, Steve Neaves, he’s so talented and full of amazing ideas. I just love that guy!
HTF: Do you receive a lot of criticism over the type of modelling you do?
EC: Of course! There’s so many kids talking like OAP’s with the oddest perception and opinions – it’s like there’s mothers are behind them talking and they are typing it down. They seem to get what I do mixed up with pornography. It doesn’t bother me in a personal way, but the beliefs and backwards thinking of such young people in this day and age does aggravate me. It’s the female form – and it’s OKAY! I haven’t even done a topless shoot yet. But it comes with the territory, you always get the few. I think people think I’m there responding furiously to those who do critique me. I’m normally laughing or joking though, I take it all with a pinch of salt.
HTF: So do you think getting judged over the internet has that affected you at all? How do you deal with it?
EC: Well the internet is where everyone unhappy with themselves can hide away and take there self-hatred out in those they wish they were. I find it terribly sad from their side – they must go to bed with me on their minds! But no I can’t say it affects me. I’m a very, very resilient person. I just feel bad for those people. I wish I could shake them and tell them to get off the internet and stop concentrating on somebody you do not know and instead focus on their own self development.
HTF: What would you consider to be the downside to modelling? Is there a degree of pressure in the industry with it being so competitive?
EC: Okay, I’m probably going to get slammed for saying this but there are so many models who I know agree, and I’m going to be a voice for us all. When I began doing lads mags, which was my bread and butter, it was a pretty prestigious thing. There was a expectation that you looked great, looked after yourself and were always a step ahead. The last couple of years we have seen a big big change. It seems anybody can become a lads mag model. I know I sound awful but it’s true. There’s no expectations to look a certain way now and hundred of girls doing it. On the other side of lingerie gigs it’s competitive but they still expect there models to look a certain way. I guess it’s always changing – so now I throw my energy into things a bit more difficult and challenging like acting. Sorry to any model I’ve offended.
HTF: Alongside modelling you’re also a makeup artist. What are your beauty must-haves?
EC: Clarins, Clarins, Clarins! I’ve used it since I was about 13 and it’s always my beauty staple. Beauty flash balm and lotus oil are another two of my favorites. Being so busy means I’m completely out of the loop with new beauty products. I always get questions on skin care and my answer is ‘work from the inside out’. You can not fix troublesome skin or keep your skin and body good without fuelling it from the inside. So take multi vitamins, vitamin c, b12, and eat as much raw fruit and veg as you can. When you begin to look after yourself like this you’ll begin to see far better benefits on what you use on the outside! Also use vitamin E capsules – not to actually swallow but to burst and use as a beauty oil as it’s amazing on scars
HTF: You’re also a designer. Can you tell us a little bit about the new label?
EC: This is exciting! Ever since I was little I’ve loved the Victorian/Edwardian fashion era – it intrigued me. As I grew up I just tried to fit in with fashion but as you get older you begin to grow as an individual. I think it was the most feminine era as it leaves things to the imagination. It’s all the shapes, layers and just how it sits. It’s like dressing-up everyday. So I’m currently working on Steam Couture, which for now is my take on steam punk but as you’ll see soon it isn’t purely conventional steam punk.
HTF: How’s it different?
Too start with it’s mostly up cycled vintage and my philosophy behind is that you’re buying a dress or item that there are not many left of. After I’ve put all my touches to it and you’ve worn it like that, you can unstitch all those add ons and have a beautiful vintage garment that you could wear at any time and occasion in your life – it’s timeless and therefore a investment piece. All the designs are one-offs and not one is completely the same. It’s nice as nobody in the word will have the same garment as you. Alongside this I’m working on ‘Industrial Dolly’ which is steam couture lingerie line – it’s very frilly, girly and over the top with a modern twist on Victorian lingerie. The plan is too get our – my fiancé is co-owner – designs out by Christmas. Jake himself will also be co-designing with me for that. Just expect lots of leather and lace!
I’d also like to thank all who know about the line for being patient, when we first launched if we got ahead of ourselves – a bit enthusiastic – and said it would be launched mid-January/February 2014. But since drowning and crying in a room of vintage stock, I realised it’s going to take a little longer. Hang on in there and bare with us!
HTF: Well we for one can’t wait to see your first batch of designs. Finally what advice would you give to girls who are looking to get into the industry whether it be modelling, fashion or beauty?
EC: Firstly modelling is not the be all and end all of everything! Nobody is expecting you to be one! There’s so many other amazing career choices. It’s hard and only a few can take the knocks and carry on. If you do pursue it make sure you approach agencies that are an AMA (Approved Model Agency), if you don’t you’re walking into very sketchy territory. There’s only a handful of ‘legit’ agencies and they aren’t likely to be in your small town – you will have to look in the big, main cities.
I hear so many young girls telling me they’ve been signed to a agency with a really obscure name and handing then money for a portfolio. If you are signed as a serious model you do not pay for pictures! As soon as someone starts charging you run! The most you do is pictures you just don’t get paid for and it’s all done as a favour for a favour – so you, a photographer and makeup artist are all helping each other out for updated pictures.
Also listen to those around you, they aren’t being arseholes by discouraging you from doing modelling. Instead, they’re trying to keep you from being hurt and knocked down. After all, our parents and elders are right! As for the industry in general – it’s all competitive – but if you’re determined and you know you want to go down a certain route then go for it! It isn’t easy and not for the lazy. It’s all hard, tiring work.
Interviewer: Emma Matthews
