Chevonese looks adventurous in this photo for Marvin Bartley. -Contributed

In the depth of winter last month, Chevonese Fender went to New York to become a supermodel. It was quite a surprise since she had a full-time job as a public relations and research officer at Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts. But Fender believed it was possible to achieve what she wanted.

"If you have a passion and a dream, you have to pursue it no matter what, or else you will not be completely satisfied," Fender told The Sunday Gleaner. "It's better to try and fail than to not have tried at all. I had planned on leaving my job since a year ago and had no idea the economy would be as challenging as it is now. However, I'm happy I made the decision because I would have done the same thing if the world was not in a financial crisis."

'dog-eat-dog world'

While she describes her time in New York as a "dog-eat-dog world", Fender has been enjoying the journey and managing the cold weather.

"At first, it (the cold weather) was unbearable. I got here on Thursday, January 15, and had to be on the road the next day and it was 20 degrees below zero. It was horrible. I felt like my ears and toes were going to break off. Now I'm used to it and the weather is much warmer - like a chilly Christmas season in Jamaica," Fender said.

However, pursuing her modelling dream in Jamaica would not have been feasible as, Fender said, the country does not offer models much.

"For someone who is serious about being a high-fashion model, Jamaica is not the place. Most of the jobs in Jamaica don't necessarily require professional models anyway. As long as you are attractive and can smile in front of a camera, you get the job."

New York, on the other hand, was a much better option because, she said, the time was just right.

"The timing just felt right. It was something I prayed about and waited on. Now is also a good time, because it's Fashion Week (Editor's note: Fashion Week ended on Friday) and although some agencies may not want to sign on new models, more jobs will be circulating in New York," Fender said.

Fender, who grew up in Santa Cruz, St Elizabeth, studied mass communication and speech communication at Albion College in Albion, Michigan, USA, and, as such, has an advantage in her modelling career. However, most of her modelling talent came naturally and she gained experience while at Pulse International, which she refers to as her home.

Kingsley Cooper, CEO of Pulse, said: "Chevonese is a very dynamic individual and highly motivated. She has a good chance of achieving anything she sets her mind to."

Over the years, Fender has been part of various campaigns and fashion shows. She did Caribbean Fashionweek in 2007 and 2008 and Ammar's Christmas campaign in the same years.

While in New York, she has done fashion shows and off-tent shows for Fashionweek. And, she will have her first magazine spread in March in Jamaque.

Currently, she is working with VSM Model Management in New York. The agency has been sending her to castings, one of which, she hopes, will be her breakthrough.

major goals

"The next thing is just to land the jobs. I intend to break into the business as a well-respected and accomplished model. Well, I said I wanted at least one magazine spread by the end of 2009 and I'm getting one already even without realising it. One of my goals for this year is to book jobs in magazines such as Vogue, W, V and of course others like Elle and Lucky. But overall, I just want to make money doing what I love and to be a great example to others because it's not easy and you have to have the gut, will and faith to make it in a world like this. You need to have a thick skin," said Fender, who admitted that she despises competitions.

Whether she achieves her modelling goals or not, Fender said she would be starting her own magazine.

"I eventually want to start my own magazine, but I have to get the modelling part out the way first," she told The Sunday Gleaner.

"I truly don't see myself working for someone again. I prefer working with someone. But I am confident that I will achieve my dreams. It's called prayer, faith and perseverance."

Chevonese in Marvin Bartley.