MPorium’s Models and Ambassadors

Behind the scenes of an MPorium photoshoot. Credit: Madison Breemen '23

This semester, MPorium at Marist has taken on students to model their products and be part of the store on another level. 

MPorium sent out an email in January in search of students to be the face of their latest collections, enticing both Samantha Piroh ‘23 and Jo Anna Valdez ‘23. “Two of my housemates were already MPorium models, so they were encouraging me to do it,” Piroh shared. “I decided to sign up and then they chose me.”

According to Valdez, the application process to model with MPorium was rather straightforward. “You had to apply with your resume and fill out a form,” Valdez explained. “I would say the form was more important, since it asked you questions like why you wanted to model. The resume was likely to see if you had experience doing a photoshoot before.”

Piroh and Valdez listed several benefits to modeling with MPorium. For Piroh, one benefit that stuck out to her was the opportunity to get to know those who she was working with. “I like meeting new people, especially in the fashion department because I feel like it’s such a big part of the school,” Piroh said. “I also really enjoyed the ambassador part of reposting and commenting and liking everything. I love being active on social media in general so that part was really fun.”

Valdez appreciated the insight gained from modeling with MPorium. “You get really involved with the entrepreneurial class… you get to see the product when it comes in. It also gives you the experience of getting behind the scenes in a photoshoot,” Valdez said.

Credit: Models Jo Anna Valdez '23 and Amanda Dibre '23 modeling for MPorium. Credit: Dutch Bacalso '23

In terms of commitment, student models can typically expect to meet once a week on Fridays, with shoots taking place between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Acting as an ambassador for the MPorium brand and its products is central to the position. This entails liking, commenting and reposting MPorium’s social media content. “You sign up to be an MPorium ambassador and with that comes the modeling,” Piroh shared.

Piroh and Valdez also shared that anyone can apply to model with MPorium. “It doesn’t matter what major or year you are or what you look like,” Valdez said.

Both Piroh and Valdez highly recommend the experience of modeling with MPorium. “Especially if you’re a freshman or sophomore and you’re into fashion, it’s definitely something that you should do because you can be a part of the team and a part of the MPorium retail class. It’s just a really good time,” Piroh said. 

Valdez agreed, “It’s really fun and the environment is really welcoming. It’s also something to put on your resume because you don’t only get modeling experience, you also get photoshoot and production experience… you get to see the behind-the-scenes of running a business that you normally wouldn’t see. It’s also great to promote something other than the traditional image of a model and have everyone represent a brand.”