TRISH GOFF

Having come from a working-class family in the rural South, the fashion industry opened my eyes to culture, arts, and the world.

When I started modeling at 15, there were no provisions for on-set tutors, and so I dropped out of school. Although I was one of the lucky ones who went on to a successful career as a model, as a child I should never have been forced to make that choice - between modeling and education.

Being able to walk in a room with people you don't know and be comfortable - I'm very used to that.

When I started making money, I immediately began buying property and fixing it up. I was always searching for the next neighborhood. The first place I bought when I was 19. I found a huge loft on the Lower East Side, almost 3,500 square feet. I did it up, turned it over, and sold it.

Modeling will slow down no matter who you are.

Modeling wasn't necessarily what I was into. It's something that you're genetically qualified to do.

When I started modeling, all I really wanted to get was a Shabby Chic couch.

The horrible thing is, as a model, it wasn't that unusual to be in a weird situation where a photographer or someone feels they have a right to your body.

American 'Vogue' and the Versace campaign by Richard Avedon were huge for me. It put me on the map.

The bubble bowl! Yes, that made my career, and I should be grateful. I was stomping my feet when Garren was giving me that haircut. It's hard to say to a 17-year-old girl in 1993 that a bowl haircut was cool.

When I started modeling at 15, there were no provisions for on-set tutors, and so I dropped out of school. Although I was one of the lucky ones who went on to a successful career as a model, as a child I should never have been forced to make that choice - between modeling and education.

American 'Vogue' and the Versace campaign by Richard Avedon were huge for me. It put me on the map.

Being able to walk in a room with people you don't know and be comfortable - I'm very used to that.

When I started modeling, all I really wanted to get was a Shabby Chic couch.

The bubble bowl! Yes, that made my career, and I should be grateful. I was stomping my feet when Garren was giving me that haircut. It's hard to say to a 17-year-old girl in 1993 that a bowl haircut was cool.

Having come from a working-class family in the rural South, the fashion industry opened my eyes to culture, arts, and the world.

Modeling wasn't necessarily what I was into. It's something that you're genetically qualified to do.

Modeling will slow down no matter who you are.

When I started making money, I immediately began buying property and fixing it up. I was always searching for the next neighborhood. The first place I bought when I was 19. I found a huge loft on the Lower East Side, almost 3,500 square feet. I did it up, turned it over, and sold it.

The horrible thing is, as a model, it wasn't that unusual to be in a weird situation where a photographer or someone feels they have a right to your body.