“I went from working in a call center to modeling for Charlotte Tilbury, Boohoo and New Look.”

Ellie Jane Kelleher, 24, grew up on a council estate in Cardiff and says it helped her become a successful model while traveling the world. Ellie was raised by her father in Fairwater and lived there until moving to London at age 18.

He left school early because he didn’t know what career he wanted to pursue and he longed for independence. Entering the world of work, Ellie worked in call centers and retail companies, but at 15 she was discovered, so modeling was always on her mind; he just didn’t see it as a possible career. He lives in Cardiff.

Ellie said: “The robots like the model… you don’t think they actually live in Cardiff. “If you want to be a fashion designer, model or actor, you just don’t think it’s possible.”

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After working as a freelance model for photographers and brands in Cardiff, Ellie and her boyfriend moved to London in the hope of continuing to work in the industry. This didn’t happen immediately for Ellie, who worked as a hairdressing assistant for six months before signing with modeling agency J’adore in 2018.

Ellie’s first big client was Asos and since then she has worked for brands including Charlotte Tilbury, Boohoo, Jack Wills, JD and New Look. He has filmed several campaigns and appeared on billboards around the world.

Ellie had to learn to adapt to financial changes. She said: “In my first year of modeling it was crazy to go from working as a hairdressing assistant to earning over £100,000 in my first year. It’s a small difference and learning how to manage money has been crazy.”

Having worked as a model in places such as London, Los Angeles and South Africa, she has seen how her experience working on a housing estate in west Cardiff shaped her personality and way of working. Surrounded by other models who mostly come from more privileged and prosperous lifestyles, Ellie believes that her experience has only made her a better model and person in general.

She says: “When you’re on set, you can usually tell what kind of background people come from, because they’re used to living a very privileged life. Because of where I come from, I want what I want. I’m always an early riser.

“What also took me far is that it’s great to work with them. Since she worked as a hairdresser, she was on the other side of serving customers. I want to make my job easier, but there are models that can help you get the princess treatment. And obviously I’m really scared that they’re going to take him away, so I’m definitely thinking [being from Cardiff] made similar to my character.

Ellie enjoys both aspects of her work as a model and as a social media influencer. For aspiring models, Ellie shared her tips for breaking into the fashion industry and making your mark:

• always be true
• Always be kind and try to be positive.
• Keep going and don’t give up
• Make sure you take care of your mental health
• Treat your body like an athlete

• Get to know your agents and become friends with them

• Treat your social media accounts like a resume, don’t post anything that a modeling agency won’t accept.

• Beware of scams. Check the photographer/agent’s credentials, bring family/friends with you to feel more confident and never have to pay for an agency to represent or meet you again.

Ellie loves her job as a model. She said: “I’m so grateful to be able to do this full time and I love my job and I get to be creative and bring other people’s visions to life and play dress up every day and it’s not just one time.” . The day is the same on set.”