Even if yo
u didn't know anything else about Cody Furlow, it would be
easy to determine that she was a model. Furlow has a natural
poise and
beauty, as well
as a defining grace and charm that would
seemingly enable
her to breeze through any and every conceivable situation. But
EU's Featured Model wants people to know that not only is modeling hard
work, it often
has very little to do with looks or talent.
"It's extremely competitive; I can't
really convey to someone on the
outside just how competitive things
can be," Furlow said
during an extensive
interview conducted at Kijiji's. "They always want you to
show them
something. You've got to be extremely versatile, open to all
types of jobs
and ready to be on the go at a minute's notice."
A native Nashvillian, Furlow began seriously
considering modeling a few
years ago, but is smart enough to also be doing other things
while hustling
all over the place in search of the breakthrough industry. She
appeared in
the movie Stuey that was featured in last year's
Nashville Film
Festival, and would like to do more acting.
She's not
only extremely photogenic, but very articulate, intelligent and
willing
to
discuss the modeling world in candid fashion.
"You've
got to be willing and ready to work hard and you must stay focused."
"The toughest thing in modeling is doing
the runway," Furlow says. "There's such a premium put on height. There are a lot of
designers who
won't even look at a woman for their clothes that's not at least
5' 10นน,
and extremely slender. Many of these designers don't design
clothes for
anyone except waif-like models and they seldom think about women
of color.
If you want to be a success you've got to be willing to do
commercials,
print ads, as well as the runway."
However, Furlow says that the advent of a new
genre within fashion has
proven a saving grace, especially for African American women
and females of
color. "The urban industry has shown that there's a whole
other audience out
there. There are great designers who've made clothes to be
modeled by women
who are larger than a size two. They also don't already have
their minds
made up when they see you coming that you can't wear their
clothes if you're
not a specific height."
When not modeling, Furlow stays busy as a
dental assistant. "My bosses are very supportive
and understanding,"
Furlow says. "I'm always ripping and running, but they've
been quite
accommodating." It's also good Furlow has understanding
bosses because thus
far in her modeling career she's spent more time on the road
than at home.
"The bulk of my work comes outside Nashville," Furlow
says. "I want to
always keep a home here, but I have to network in different
cities
regularly, especially Miami, New York, Atlanta, Chicago and
Los Angeles."
The modeling bug runs in Furlow's family. Her
brother Charles is also
both a model and actor. "He got an overseas gig on his
first job and made a
quick and easy windfall," Furlow laughs. "The employer
was looking for
someone who could be in a commercial and be believable in both a
rap and a
country setting. He just nailed it." Furlow's desire to excel in modeling goes
just beyond posing on runways
or appearing in commercials. She also designs clothes, and
eventually wants
to become an entrepreneur with both her own business and
clothing line. "I
really want to go back and help as many people as I can
understand and break
into this business," Furlow adds. Meantime, while preparing for upcoming Titans
cheerleaders tryouts, Furlow has some advice for any aspiring models. "You've got
to be willing
and ready to work hard and you must stay focused. Don't take any
jobs
without making sure to dot all the I's and check the T's in
your contract. There are a lot of scam artists out there, people who'll tell
you to get on
a plane and fly to some city for a job, but won't have a place
for you to
stay, anyone to meet you, or any money for the gig. Don't ever
forget that
this is not only a job and a profession, it's your life."
Anyone who wants to hire Furlow can contact
her through Everything Underground, Inc. (Indiana). You'll
certainly get a topflight pro, someone whose head
isn't up in the clouds, and is determined to succeed.
