Lydia Grace Bielen has come a long way in the last five years as a fashion model.
Scouted at age 17, the Athens, Georgia native never planned to pursue that career, but she started working with an agency under the expectation that she would just give it a try and see where it would take her.
Now, at the age of 22 and living in New York City, Bielen’s photos have beautifully graced the pages of the world’s most high-profile magazines, including Harper’s Bazaar, Marie Claire, Grazia, Vogue, Maxim, Elle, Numéro, L’Officiel and Cosmopolitan. She has also been featured in Vogue, which she said of all the publications she’s been in, that has become her go-to magazine to follow along in the journeys of other models in the industry as well as the place she likes to stay current on the latest fashion news.
Her modeling photos are also visible on her Instagram account, @lydiabielen.
Bielen admits she jumped into the opportunity being completely unfamiliar with the industry.
“I had no idea what I was doing. I’ve grown tremendously as a person since I started modeling. I’ve learned a lot about my job and from traveling,” she said, noting that she had never been outside of the United States on her own prior to starting her career. “Now I can navigate through most foreign countries fairly easily.”
Presented with the opportunity to travel nationally and internationally, Bielen has worked in Paris, Sydney, Barcelona, Berlin and London as well as many American cities like New York, Los Angeles and Miami.
Bielen said her work has enabled her to become a more responsible woman as she transitioned out of her teen years and into adulthood.
“I’d say I am a lot more independent and mature than I was at 17, obviously,” she said. “But I’m also more confident in myself and my work now. I don’t get nervous at castings or going into my agency anymore like I did when I was 17.”
Throughout the last five years as a model, Bielen said she also became more savvy with the business end of her industry, which has helped her work through the often stressful and overwhelming parts of her career, like legalities, contracts and other paperwork.
She said it’s important to her to help other young women who are considering a career in modeling navigate the work involved behind the camera.
“Double check contracts, release forms and other paperwork before you sign them. Take your time reading everything over and really understanding what you’re signing,” she advised. “Don’t let agents rush you into signing it. Tell them if you need more time to think about or understand the contract. Hire a lawyer, if possible, to look over things and help you make any changes if necessary.
“And if you’re ever stuck in a contract that is negatively affecting your life or career,” she continued. “Hire a lawyer to help you end the contract as soon as possible.”
