Kornreich pursues modeling career with strong mindset

“That thigh gap is definitely Photoshopped.”

“Her body isn’t as fit as I expected.”

“Didn’t know Calvin Klein let wet, starving dogs model their jeans.”

Comments like these, sprinkled throughout model Kendall Jenner’s instagram account, resemble the criticism that Anna Kornreich, junior and Ford model, says models face in the industry .

“Everyone is always critiquing you. Some people will say you’re too big and some will say you’re too small,” Kornreich said.

Although Kornreich had never thought about pursuing a modeling career, her talent and potential emerged shortly after walking into Ford Models in Chicago, the “agency renowned for innovating model management” and “the most recognized and respected name in the history of modeling with an unprecedented talent roster,” according to models.com.

“After my family friend approached me, she set up some meetings for me at three or four different agencies in Chicago,” Kornreich said. “I walked into Ford and introduced myself, they took some pictures of me and in about 15 minutes they offered me a contract.”

Despite Ford’s immediate interest, Kornreich admits she doesn’t resemble the typical model persona.

“As a model you’re kind of expected to be extremely comfortable and confident in any situation,” Kornreich said. “For me, this has been really difficult… Some girls are like me, and some girls are extremely confident.”

Although the models gracing the glossy pages of Vogue and strutting the catwalk of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show may appear confident and collected, modeling can be a business that fosters quite the opposite.

“The first entry into modeling doesn’t build your confidence. They pull out the tape measure and pick you apart. I’m a curvy woman, so I was definitely told I was ‘too curvy,’” Joelle Carter, American actress and model, said.

Thus, Kornreich has developed the necessary mindset to brave the industry.

Instead, Kornreich has chosen to focus her outlook on building her confidence rather than shattering it, as well as on enjoying herself and building relationships with her fellow Ford models.

“I absolutely love everyone at Ford. We’ve all become a bit of a family,” Kornreich said. “All the agents there treat all of us models, especially us ‘New Faces,’ as if we were their daughters. They make sure we’re happy and healthy and they genuinely care about us… Ford is a pretty well respected agency in the United States and around the world so it is great to say you’re a Ford Model when you go into castings.”

Working for mostly local Chicago designers so far, Kornreich has walked at Latina Fashion Week and has done informal work in numerous Chicago malls.

Kornreich, however, has bigger dreams in mind for the future.

“I really hope to work and live in New York,” she said. “Like a lot of models, I hope I’ll be able to walk New York and Paris Fashion Week one day.”