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As the Fall/Winter 2025–2026 Ready-to-Wear Fashion Week reaches its peak, the documentary The Model rises in parallel — a story of ambition, success, and disillusionment.
Through the unique personal and professional journey of Lydia, The Model immerses viewers in the reality of a profession often dismissed as superficial. Behind the glitter and glamour of the modeling industry lie harsh working conditions that contrast sharply with its polished image.
The documentary sheds light on the economic and social hardships faced by many young women who leave behind their families and countries, driven by the hope of achieving social mobility. Castings, contract negotiations, high-pressure photo shoots, and prestigious runway shows — while the goals may be the same, the paths to success are vastly different for each model.
Through Lydia’s candid experiences, shared against a backdrop inspired by the slick visual aesthetic of the 1990s, the film explores the evolving nature of modeling today. It confronts systemic issues such as financial instability, sexism, racism, transphobia, nepotism, and abuse — revealing the hidden costs of an industry still in the midst of transformation.