Series 1 The Winner's Post
The Winner's Story
In the now familiar boardroom with a live studio audience, Mae Rawcliffe sat opposite the beautiful winner of the Fleur de Lys Challenge, Harley Q. Tavares.
"Hi guys, and welcome to the Fleur de Lys Challenge. After a brutal battle of beautiful belles, ten girls became one and I'm pleased to introduce Harley Q. Tavares, the new face of Fleur de Lys!"
The audience cheered and clapped as Harley gave them a wave and a smile.
Mae: So Harley, how does it feel to be officially crowned as the new face of Fleur de Lys? How did it feel to keep it quiet from your friends and family?
Harley: This is what I want, this is what I hoped for. It's been a rollercoaster. Sometimes the judges didn't get me and sometimes I didn't get the judges... it was like interacting with parents. They trust you and love you unconditionally, but sometimes they disapprove of some of your decisions and tell you to take out your belly ring. I don't even feel it's over yet. My journey is just beginning, I'm just about to step up and become the biggest thing I've ever had a chance to be... I'm psyched. And I've met so many great people. I've fought with some pretty tight girls too. I hope to stay in touch with everybody I met here, and one day when I have a house that isn't my parent's or mobile, I'm going to have a super fly sleepover.
My tricky brothers kept trying to get things out of me. They're like... 16 and 17 and tiny jerks. Haha. They've been trying to find out for FOREVER. And they're sneaky. Like they'll walk up and say "Hey Harley, need anything from the store? I hear they have a sale on donuts, did you win? Powdered or chocolate?" And once I woke up to them trying to get me to talk in my sleep. Sneaker trickers. Mom and dad were more relaxed about it. After I told them that I couldn't tell them, they laid off. But every moment they played a new episode they asked me for the behind the scene scoops. Haha! They were REALLY interested in the camera work... but they're weird. And Sodium... well... I couldn't not tell her. She's so tiny and puppy like!! But somehow I didn't think she'd tell anybody...
Mae: You've just recently walked for Holden Delaney at London Fashion Week and shot a cover and spread for Iris Style amongst others. How has life changed for you being the freshest new talent within the industry?
Harley: Holden's great. He's really one of my favorite people in the world. I still feel the pressure every day to be what everybody expects from me. Despite what you'd think I haven't even really "made it"! Change is hard, and keeping a plateau much less improving is an uphill struggle. I always want to improve, but I don't want to lose myself. I'm afraid to become somebody that I'm not... I don't want to be commercial. The industry is a scary world, and I am constantly frightened. But it's not all bad, it's the most excitement I've ever had. Parties, events, and modeling are my life. It's a thrill and I feel amazing. I've never been happier or more wary of the future.
Mae: The competition was a struggle for everyone; what part did you find the most difficult?
Harley: I had a hard time balancing what I thought looked good with what others would like. If you haven't noticed by now, I take a lot of risks, because I've always liked the dark and murky side of fashion. Maybe I'm wrong, but the more interestingly ugly something is, the more beautiful it can be. It's because of that I had my ups and downs. I'll admit, I made a few miscalculations, but a lot of times I felt I was throwing something that wasn't really... read the way it was meant to be. It frustrated me, because I'm afraid to not take risks. I want to stand out and be different and special, but to a certain extent I had to conform.
Mae: In the world of modelling, we must be a blank canvas for a client, but that doesn't mean we have to lose all sense of personality. I remember when I was first going for castings and being all 'HIIII I'M MAEEE!' and it really made designers think I was a bit too in-your-face for fashion. Afterwards, I managed to tone it down and although it was a tough ride, you're a flexible model but you're still Harley. But in regards to the actual challenge, what was your favourite shoot, and which was your worst?
Harley: My favorite had to be the car one, even though it was the one that was least loved (besides maybe the emotion one). I LOVED owning that car. I felt a sense of pride becoming an apocalyptic tomb raider like Lara, and I loved having an opportunity to be strong and almost masculine. It was FUN to make and exciting to edit (and I'm VERY proud of the editing there). My second is the golden age of Hollywood. I had lots of fun becoming that little minx of the 50s. (Also... it was exciting to create something that was applicable to my life at that time.) My least favorite was probably the covershoot. I was uncomfortable working that close, as I pose big or not at all. It was also a little last minute and just... chaotic. I wasn't inspired.
Mae: We saw 9 other girls come and go within the competition; what was it like sharing a house with 10 girls and who did you form the best relationships with?
Harley: Holy crap. Living with girls is STRESSFUL! I grew up with two brothers and a gamer mom. I was always the unreasonably emotional one. It was ups and downs. There were a few... disagreements, but I also got pretty tight with some people. Tori, Zoe and I were ROCKING it out loud in our room. It was like a sleepover every night! I am proud to have competed against these fabulous ladies and I will forever love them. I hope we can all stay tight!
Mae: I think us judges knew the Golden Trio would stick together! Are you still going to keep in contact with any of the other girls?
Harley: Tori and Zoe definitely. They are my rocks and I love them. The rest of the girls, probably if they make an effort to keep in contact as well. I'm very overwhelmed and I loved working with these girls, but I feel I had the most interaction with the GOLDEN TRIO! Hahah.
Mae: What advice would you give to any contestants within Series 2?
Harley: Take risks. Understand that the judges aren't always going to love you, but WORK IT OUT anyway. Even if you have to leave early, at least you'll have photos in your portfolio that YOU love. And if you work hard to be different, you'll make an impression. And it's better to be known as strange than not be known at all. Act out, act up, be fun! You won't regret any criticism you may receive.
Mae: I appreciate your honesty, and I think for somebody so young, you're very wise. Has modelling always been an aspiration, or has it developed as you got older?
Harley: Well, when I realized it wasn't practical to wish to be a vigilante without having a good cover job, I needed a new interest. I got into clothes around age 14 at a comiccon, when my mom was makin all my cosplay costumes. After that it just ballooned, I started getting magazines, researching models, and falling in love with the industry. I can't remember what it was like to have a different dream. I've wanted this for so long and I've wanted it so passionately. I'm not disappointed.
Mae: As founder of Fleur de Lys Models, I can say that for the next few months you're fully-booked up international, girl. Is modeling harder and more demanding than you expected it to be?
Harley: I don't consider modeling demanding or hard. Yes, it's a lot of work, a lot of thinking and I've still got a lot of learning ahead of me... but modeling is fun. It's learning something for a passion. So it's fun. I'm always meeting new people and going new and exciting places. I get to play a new character every day and I get all made up and beautiful. It's a dream life. It's a fantasy. I couldn't ask for anything better.
Mae: Harley, let me say, I am so proud of you and I couldn't ask for a better model to be representing our agency worldwide. You're beautiful, and humble, and none of the Judges could ask for more. Let's take a look at your work so far!
Harley: Oooh, goodie!
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London Fashion Week - Holden Delaney, Spring 2009
Mae: You just worked it out, Harley. We were all stunned at how you owned that runway and you certainly weren't out of place with the leading top models of today. I can safely say that Holden was proud of how you retained that classic yet cutting-edge ambience of every collection he has exhibited, and maybe next year, we could possibly be walking together perhaps!
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Iris Style: Cover
Mae:: This is your winning cover magazine that you shot in the final episode of the Fleur de Lys Challenge. I think it's soft and maybe a little mature, but I know for sure that Clemendy was proud to have you representing her magazine, and you know yourself that she is one of the more harsher judges on the Board!
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Iris Style: Spread
Mae: Clemendy and I had a lot of discussion about the theme of your spread, so we took a bunch of great outfits and had a sort of variety of different looks, hence "The Many Faces of Harley" theme. I think each shot is stellar and you've really worked out your angles. Loveee it.
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Neon Advertisement
Mae: Out of all the shots we've seen of you over the course of the competition, I must say that this one is the greatest. It's unique, fierce yet still soft, and I think you look beautiful. This advertisement is in magazines and on billboards and televisions the world over; we couldn't have a better girl representing us.
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Mae: So Harley, thank you so much for participating and you're definitely a worthy winner. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you your Fleur de Lys winner, Harley Q. Tavares!
Harley gave a wave as the camera zoomed out, the audience cheering and clapping; "Thanks guys!"