Model and writer Charlie Newman shares insights into how she balances her writing and modelling career, her unique scouting story, and exciting upcoming projects! For five years she was the Fashion Features Director at 5Eleven Magazine and is also a regular contributor to Glass Magazine. To read more about Charlie, visit her website https://www.charlienewman.website/

CONVERSATIONS WITH M1 | CHARLIE NEWMAN

M1: How did you start modelling?

CN: There used to be these organised ticketed parties for teenagers that my friends and I all used to attend (I’m not sure they exist anymore!) where scouts would try and catch your attention whilst you were in the queue but I was far too busy applying Barry M glittery eyeliner on my friends or yanking down my bodycon dress! It wasn’t until I bumped into the same scout again that I thought, ‘Oh this guy is for real, I should probably take his card.’ I then chatted it over with my Mum and we visited a few agencies but again I didn’t really think anything would come of it. My Mum was a model in the eighties so I was aware it was a job and had long poured over Harpers Bazaar and Vogue but it always seemed like another world to me. It wasn’t until I met with Models 1 that it became real for me. From day one they have always prioritised our safety and security and are renowned for carving out long term careers rather than fleeting moments in the fashion limelight. To have consistently worked for almost 15 years is a real honour and I couldn’t have done it without the amazing team at Models 1.They’re also just a really lovely group of people, the kind you can have a laugh and go for dinner with.

M1: Balancing your writing and fashion must be a challenge. How do you manage your time between these two demanding industries?

CN: Yikes! Balancing my time is constantly a work in progress. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been self employed for, it’s always a challenge. I’ve interviewed and worked with countless freelancers and the topic of balance and time always remains a sticky one-we either have too much of it or not enough! I suppose I take comfort in the fact that we all feel the same and that this job comes with ebbs and flows and I’m here for the ride! One thing I would say writing and modelling has made me is time efficient, I definitely don’t hang around. Yes that deadline might not be in for another 6 weeks but in that time I could be working all over the place, so I try my best not to leave it to the last minute and chose to crack on with it instead. I also believe that I often write better when I don’t have a huge expanse of time. The more time I have the more I can over work a piece and question myself and as a result the piece gets more muddled and directionless. One of my favourite phrases at the moment is, ‘It’s not that deep’. When I start to spiral and critique myself on certain writing projects I just take a moment and remind myself that ‘It’s not that deep Charl’, just put pen to paper and send it off. We can be so harsh on ourselves and often we need to just move on and get over ourselves!

M1: Tell us your journey of how you became the Fashion Features Director at 5Eleven Magazine?

CN: After meeting with Edwin the Editor back in 2019 I started writing the odd piece here and there for 5Eleven. When the magazine quickly scaled up it became evident they needed a full time team member and I jumped on board. It was a case of right place, right time. As a model I had always been on the other side of the industry so it was an amazing experience to get more of an inside scoop. I learnt so much in such a short period of time but at the end of last summer I had to take a step back from the magazine as it was too much work alongside modelling. I was scared to make this jump but it’s been so good for me as I now have much more creative freedom and have since written for publications I have always wanted to write for.

M1: How do you Plan your writing? Is there physical research involved?

CN: As Nora Ephron said “Everything is copy”, and whilst I’m fiercely protective over my personal life it’s true that life in general always informs the writing process. Whether that’s listening to what my girlfriends and colleagues thoughts are on current affairs/relationships/life etc., reading, travelling with work or even just walking the streets-something so trivial can spark an idea! I truly believe clothes really capture a moment in time, they immediately inform without people necessarily realising (we’ve all heard the iconic “From a pile of stuff” speech Meryl Streep gives as Miranda Priestly in Devils Wear Prada) so I love to see what people are wearing. I’m constantly on the hunt for a new gallery and museum exhibitions too. When I’m struggling to formulate an idea or feeling stuck, I like to switch my phone onto airplane mode and walk to a museum or gallery and try to soak it all up. Sometimes it feels like a major effort or not the best use of my time, but nine times out of ten by the time I can’t wait to jot some ideas down as soon as I get home. It’s so easy to get sucked into the online world but just keeping your eyes and ears open often feels like the easiest and simplest way to kick off the planning process. Once the initial idea has been formed, then it’s predominantly diving deep into research and doing interviews. Speaking to people from all ages and backgrounds is one of my favourite parts of both modelling and writing, it’s both inspiring and energising. 

M1: As someone who’s seen both the fashion industry and journalism up close, what advice would you give to young creatives trying to break into these fields?

CN: My advice in both fields would be to stay creative and open. All too often these industries want to put you in a neat box that can be packaged up and easy to sell, but nobody is one thing and often it’s your quirks and differences that keep you interesting and most importantly interested. If you’re doing the same type of work day in and day out you quickly lose interest and sight of who you are. Stay true to who you are, however weird and wonderful that is. You’ll get far more of a positive response that way plus people will remember you. I would also advise for people to enjoy the process and to never be afraid to ask questions or ask for help. People love the sound of their own voice-see this interview!

M1: Is there a particular moment in your modelling or journalism career that has been especially meaningful to you?

CN: There have been so many meaningful moments! I got to work on a really flamboyant perfume advert when I was young in my career where I felt like a princess for the day! My Mum legally had to join me and whilst I didn’t realise it at the time, it was a really precious moment to experience that together-it was a coming-of-age moment of sorts. Every model says this but it’s the travel part of the job that makes it the most magical and exciting. I’ve lived in New York, LA, Paris, Milan and Sydney and been on shoots in the Moroccan desert, in Australia’s out back, Cape Town, Indonesia, New Zealand, Tokyo, the Bahamas and beyond. A real pinch me moment was working with the late great Peter Lindbergh, Carine Roitfeld and Sam McKnight on a shoot where they shut down The Strand in London for us. What a dream team! I remember catching the tube home and thinking ,’Holy sh*!, did that just happen?’

An especially meaningful moment for me writing wise was when I got to interview Roksanda Ilinčić for 5Eleven. She has always been one of my favourite designers as she blends fashion, art, architecture and design so masterfully. They say not to meet your idols but she was as kind as she is talented. I loved every minute with her!

M1: What can we expect from you in 2025? Do you have any projects coming up?

CN: 2025 is quite a big one for me! I’m getting married just before Christmas and then will be kicking off 2025 in India for our honeymoon which feels so incredibly special! I have another niece or nephew on the way which is beyond exciting and will change my life all over again for the better. In May I shall be turning 30 which is such a blessing. I shall also be doing the Three Peaks Challenge with four of my best girlfriends in honour of one of our best friends Emily Plane, who passed away in November last year to Ovarian cancer. I’m not one for getting out of my comfort zone when it comes to physical exercise but we’ll do anything to raise awareness and money for The Lady Garden Foundation. Work wise, I have just signed with a new agency in New York, Fusion, so I’m excited to spend some more time there, it’s one of my favourite cities to work and live. Bring it all on!