Written by: Ellie Williams

Picture this: Photographers in a single file all lined up, lighting up a pathway with their milli-second flash. Videographers quickly adjusting their angles to capture the pulse and flow. The models embodying a sense of movement in their creative power to showcase. Three words: surreal, fast-paced, intense. Bodyguards standing tall, acting as statues guarding a holy site while hundreds of tourists aimlessly try to get a glimpse of what’s going on. All this happening in the most bustling city of them all, New York, with a background scape of the skyline indulging into all the opportunities it has to offer.

This was a photoshoot campaign for the well-known brand, Banana Republic. Men were documented in a Wall Street-like aesthetic with blue suits and wool sweaters, while women were posed in cheetah Merlino sweaters with skirts. A duality campaign was further shown embodying the city life and the outdoors with shots integrating the cityscape and a sense of the world from the standpoint of nature.

Marco Pickett, a 20-year-old model from Jacksonville, Florida was the star of this collaboration. Coming to New York in January of 2017 with the expectation of staying for three days, his life changed forever. After agreeing to test shots and being scouted on Instagram for a photoshoot with Fucking Young! Magazine, his modeling career hit a spark. He’s now signed with Next Models and has upwardly spiraled into a popular model for brands such as Banana Republic, Aime Leon Dore, Urban Outfitters, and Nike. He even made a debut for Burberry at their exclusive in London for Riccardo Tisci’s first collaboration. There, he confidently walked the runway with many other fashion icons, such as Kendall Jenner.

When talking to Pickett, a sense of reality behind the model world was conveyed. Societal expectations of this particular industry are associated with representations of ruthlessness, glamour and intensity. While Pickett states that it’s definitely fast-paced, intense and could be seen as “unfair,” these assumptions associated with modeling aren’t as truthful as we think.

“For the most part, I feel like I’ve been treated pretty fairly with my experience,” Pickett explains.

Pickett expresses that before entering the world of modeling, he had heard numerous horror stories about the way photographers, agents, and cast members would treat people. However, since 2017, he feels that modeling has morphed into an industry that is more inclusive, digital and modernized — where all different kinds of creative looks are accepted, making it less subjective.

“The model world is like a small circle where everyone knows everyone and it’s growing with its inclusivity and digitalization. It’s no longer just 10 fashion models; so many more types of people have been acknowledged, giving this industry a chance to expand even further and a greater sense of fairness.”

It all depends on the balance between what you consider fair and unfair and what you take personally, Pickett relayed. For instance, when working in Paris, Pickett was deemed too muscular for the clothing that he was supposed to wear. Instead of the fashion directors confronting him, the directors simply left him alone. This lead Pickett to question what he should be doing and if he was still going to be able to contribute. However, he couldn’t let this get the best of him and decided to rise above the criticism.

“There’s no entry level to modeling. You’re not judged on how well you speak or how educated you are, you’re judged on how you look, walk and your body type so depending on who you are, one could look at this being unfair or fair. You just can’t be sensitive.”

In terms of glamour, Pickett gives insight into who the models actually are themselves. He explains that a lot of them start this process at an early age, with no background education and no proper introduction to the reality of having adequate life goals.

“Starting from such a young age and traveling all the time, keeping up with daily tasks could put some people in a difficult place to grow as a person and be stimulated intellectually.”

He explains that many people end up relying on drugs during this industrial process because some points could be draining. Likewise, Pickett fell into this hole himself until his manager guided him in the right direction, describing that there’s still good in this career.

“Overall, I do enjoy modeling. I was brought into it from a place that I wouldn’t have left otherwise and was given endless opportunities to travel around the world and meet new people,” Pickett says. “We have such a short life, it’s such a crazy and awesome experience.”

When reflecting on his own involvement, Pickett feels that it’s been very constructive and that he’s learned a lot about how this industry works and who he is as a person.

“I’ve learned to use modeling to my advantage and take all of my creative desires and my art and embody that to create something positive for the greater good.”

Having an underlying passion for art, he hopes his modeling career can potentially lead him to flourish within his creative desires.

“My main goal is to become a household name and to set a precedent to be known as Marco Pickett. If I did become a household name, I would use that reputation to push my art and become active in the art community of New York.”

Make sure to keep your eyes open as this new up and coming 6’2’ runway model. He will be in Paris for three weeks in January walking in Men’s Fashion Week, creatively and enthusiastically embarking on his next journey!