Sophomore Charlotte Mathias of Long Branch was met with disappointment when she thought she had lost her chance at a one-in-a- lifetime opportunity; in a last-minute change, Mathias was able to walk in New York Fashion Week.
Mathias never dreamed of modeling; her passion had always been within the film industry. Ever since she was young and creating comedy skits, she’s had a passion for making movies.
When visiting a company affiliated with her mom’s business in New York City on Aug. 28, Mathias saw a different type of opportunity presented to her.
“My mom has a jewelry business, The Mermaid Haberdashery, that works with a company in the city called Jimmy Crystal,” Mathias said. “One day while visiting with my mom, Jimmy Crystal [company name and owner] saw me and said, ‘You’re gonna model for me.’ The rest was history.”
Mathias then contacted Crystal and waited eagerly for a response. Last minute, however, her hopes were dashed when Crystal told her that she wouldn’t be allowed to model, and would only be able to attend as a guest.
“I was a little disappointed because I got my hopes up,” Mathias said. “But I was still super grateful to be invited as a guest, so my mom and I decided to go anyway.”
Mathias had no expectation to model that day. In fact, she brought her physics homework on the train ride in.
“I was so unprepared to model,” Mathias said. “I mean, he told me I wouldn’t be modeling, so I thought I would just watch as a guest.”
When Mathias arrived at the event, a party on Jimmy Crystal’s rooftop, a stylist approached her and asked if she was one of the models. Mathias explained that she was just there as a guest, but the stylist insisted that she would model for them.
“I was so surprised,” Mathias said. “On the one hand, I was beyond excited to be modeling, but on the other hand, I was not at all ready to model that day.”
Mathias was guided into a room with all of the other models. The stylus told her to look at all the outfits and pick whichever one she liked the best.
“I decided on a sparkly pink set of pants and a top,” Mathias said. “I got very lucky because it fit perfectly.”
In this room of models, Mathias could not believe how far her expectations were from reality. Despite being only 15 and inexperienced in the industry, Mathias was welcomed with open arms from the professionals.
“All the models helped me out. One gave me her heels to wear, a fashion coordinator did my hair and I borrowed makeup from one of the girls,” Mathias said. “Everyone was just so supportive, which I really didn’t expect.”
After an hour of getting ready, the CHS model participated in the five-hour show for Jimmy Crystal in New York, surrounded by high-profile figures.
“There were a ton of influencers,” Mathias said. “Fashion influencers, an actress, a ton of photographers, just a lot of people from the fashion industry.”
While Mathias doesn’t aspire to continue modeling in the future, she would love to do it again because of the learning experiences and friendships she made.
“I’m forever grateful for this incredible experience, it was a dream come true, and would definitely do it again.”
