Behind The Scenes At Chanel With Emerson

EML France
Sarah Emerson took part in the EML France contest in 2017. Known in the industry as Emerson, she has since done fashion week in London, for designers like Christopher Kane and Preen by Thornton Bregazzi. This season, walked in the ready-to-wear Chanel show for the first time. We caught up with Emerson to ask her all about it, passions outside the catwalk and how she got into modelling by complete chance through EML.


Tell us about the Chanel Fall Winter 2019 show!

Walking for Chanel was the most magical experience I have ever had! I did the fitting with the other girls, and right after that, I was told that I was confirmed for the show. It was really exciting.

Which models did you meet backstage?

I met a lot of models I knew from backstage, including some pretty famous girls, like Cara Delevigne, Kaia Gerber and Grace Elizabeth!

Did you get the opportunity to meet Karl Lagerfeld during the fittings?

Yes, I met Karl Lagerfeld. It was my very first day at Chanel and I was horribly stressed and at the same time so excited. Luckily, Amanda Sanchez, who is the in-house model at Chanel, gave me some good advice before I went, so I felt much calmer and more confident.  But when I met him for the first time, he put me at ease straightaway with his incredible kindness and humour.

What was it like when you find out that he had passed away?

That day I was on a shoot and it was the makeup artist who told me he had died. When I heard the news, I couldn't believe it, it shocked me and made me deeply sad.

What are you normally doing when you’re not on the catwalk?

I study Events Marketing in Paris. But what I love above all is to enjoy going out with my friends or going on vacation with my family!

How did you apply to EML?

I applied for EML in 2017, and I was actually accompanying my boyfriend at the time to a casting in France, because he wanted to apply. However, anyone who wasn't taking part in the contest were asked to wait outside, so he asked me to apply with him so that I could stay with him and I ended up signing to Elite Paris! The experience was really fun, and I made some amazing friends, it was a truly unforgettable experience! 

What’s your advice for people applying to EML 2019?

What I advise is to keep trying, never give up because life has a plenty of nice things to offer and nothing ventured, nothing gained!