TRIP HIGHLIGHT: FRANCE
TREND45's Instagram account (@wearetrend45) is full of out of this world scenery and imagery of stunning models shot by incredibly talented photographers. Sitting at home, in pjs and wildly messy hair, as I looked over the online application to apply for an event, I knew I was way in over my head, or so I thought. Nonetheless, in a moment of feeling particularly courageous at the time, I decided to apply on a whim. I was quite surprised when a couple of weeks later, I received a text message from Remy Lewbel, Mr. CEO himself, stating that I had a ticket to France with my name on it for the next TREND45 event. I'll admit, I may have been somewhat intimidated by the perceivable glam of it all, but I was in a phase of my life that seemed unexcitingly stagnant at the time, and something inside of me was yearning for something more. So, I decided to jump into the opportunity headfirst.
A couple of months later, as I sat on a plane headed to Marseille France, the nerves of traveling alone for the first-time dancing in my belly, I wondered if I had made the right decision or, more importantly, if it was going to be a good investment. Before the event, the TREND45 team sent out many preparation emails, including a packing checklist and a detailed itinerary so I knew I was going to be in good hands. Still, it wasn't until I was on the plane that I realized I would be modeling while I was there. The event initially appealed to me as an opportunity to travel to a beautiful city, without having to be alone, which was a great benefit as a single young adult. I had never considered myself a model at any point in my life before then, but unfortunately, as the butterflies in my tummy soared, I realized jumping off the plane was an unviable option.
My insecurities lingered in the forefront of my mind as I arrived at the airport but seemed to immediately dissipate as Lewbel and another co-worker greeted me with warm smiles and open arms. I instantaneously felt safe, and I let my parents know, for their peace of mind, that their daughter was in the clear of being kidnapped and lost in Europe (my father, had made it known prior that he is unfortunately no Liam Neeson). The TREND45 members made easy conversation for us to get to know each other better as we drove en route to our accommodations, and I felt immense relief as I realized my fears of being out of place were evidently unreasonable.
We arrived at the chateau, and I was overtaken with surprise as I soaked in the magnificence of our home for the week. The massive residence was large enough to accommodate private suites for every individual and/or couple, which was a great luxury considering the contrast from previous college trips I had taken in the past. After a brief welcome tour of our private castle, it wasn't long before the smell of a gorgeous home-cooked meal filled my nose, and I was thrilled by the thought that I was going to be pampered like this for the rest of our stay. That night, after everyone else attending the event arrived, we all spent the evening together, getting to know one another over food and drinks. I felt at ease, and a sense of strange familiarity with others, like some of us had met before. We were all here for the same reasons; to curate art, create memories and enjoy the world outside of our normal mundane routines. We kicked off the next day with an excursion, taking a stroll around the town and enjoying the breathtaking views that the South of France has to offer. Every day had a slightly different itinerary planned, but those attending the event were able to pick and choose the flow of the day.
Over the next week, we ate crepes at a homey local restaurant, went hiking in Cassis, and jumped right in to shooting some photos. Even considering my insecurities and lack of experience, I was yet again surprised at how at comfortable I felt with the photographers, and everyone as a group was immensely supportive and uplifting towards each other. We swapped outfits and makeup, and the TREND45 staff gave endless advice on getting the perfect shot. Simply put, it ended up being a ton of fun, and modeling was truly one of my favorite parts of the event, apart from the French food of course. Our afternoons were spent doing group yoga or escaping to our rooms for some quiet time, and I often found myself out on the terrace wondering in awe at how this all came to be. Almost every night ended in bonding experiences as a group, exchanging stories and laughs, and I knew these were my people. It wasn’t long before strangers turned into friends and the roomy mansion began to feel like a home away from home; I was truly going to miss it when it came to an inevitable end.
Behind the glamourous images and breathtaking scenery, TREND45 is really so much more than that. The company to its core, emphasizes a kind-of family dynamic. From the first day I arrived, it became incredibly apparent that the TREND45 team is primarily focused on the needs of those who attend their events, as well as cultivating one of a kind experiences for everyone involved. My time in France was so progressive and uplifting to me personally, that I decided to apply for a role on the team to be a part of creating that experience for others.
From embracing different cultures to meeting new people, traveling can be an essential tool in helping individuals evolve as human beings. The event in France gave me the opportunity to experience something that would’ve been impossible to encounter in my bubble at home. I met amazing creative individuals and bonded with them on a level unmatched to connections possibly made in a different environment. Now, I have friendships with people from across the globe, and I was given the chance to learn about myself in ways that only traveling can influence. The laughs, the vulnerable connections and experiences that were created because of TREND45, are memories I will hold in my heart for the rest of my life. No matter who you are, traveling can be magic in bringing out the best in people, and TREND45 captures the essence of what it is to be human. Although I wish I could go back and relive it all again, I am able to reminisce using the amazing photos captured along the way, and as for the next event, consider me already signed up.