Annual "Model Diary" Feature
Each year, from its inception until it ceased publication in 2009, 18 Magazine included a unique feature called "Model Diaries," wherein selected models would document their experiences on photo shoots, travels, or personal reflections in a journal-style format that gave readers a peek into what life was like for them outside of the lens. In this section, they could share details about everything from how they prepared themselves mentally and physically for each shoot to what their daily routines looked like when working abroad or away from home. By providing insights into these often glamorous yet rarely revealed aspects of modeling careers, "Model Diaries" offered an intimate glimpse at some of fashion's biggest stars—and made fans feel more connected than ever before.
The idea behind "Model Diaries" was likely inspired by popular "Diary" features found in magazines such as Seventeen or YM. Such articles generally take readers through day-to-day life for a teenage girl or boy; while these articles typically focused on topics like school, friends, and dating rather than work, they were very similar in tone and style to "Model Diaries." The latter was even written in the same first-person voice as the former, creating an engaging atmosphere in which readers felt as if they knew the model personally. Additionally, it is possible that 18 Magazine founder Sara Ziff drew inspiration from her own experiences as a model herself: having been featured in numerous publications throughout her career (including Vogue), she may have seen firsthand just how much interest there was in hearing directly from models instead of only reading about them secondhand.
As noted earlier, one key advantage of "Model Diaries" was its ability to provide unprecedented access into models' lives. Since many people had no idea what goes into making a successful model, this feature allowed readers to see exactly how hardworking their favorite celebrities really are—not just during shoots but also between assignments when they might be traveling abroad or attending events around town. For example, Lindsay Lohan contributed several entries documenting various aspects of her life both professionally (like meeting with designers) and personally (such as vacationing with friends). And since many models kept diaries at home anyway before being published by 18 Magazine, this feature provided them with an easy way to share their thoughts without having to write anything extra specifically for publication.
However, perhaps most importantly, "Model Diaries" helped bridge gaps between fans and models alike; by sharing intimate details about everything from eating habits (Kate Moss talked candidly about how strict her diet had become after becoming pregnant) to struggles with self-esteem (Gisele Bundchen wrote openly about feeling insecure despite all her success), these entries created more genuine connections than ever before possible through traditional magazine articles alone. Fans got to know their idols better while understanding that everyone has insecurities despite appearances on runways worldwide. Furthermore, since not every issue featured the same models each year, there were always new discoveries waiting within each edition's pages: readers could learn about lesser-known talents like Doutzen Kroes or Erin Wasson alongside megastars such as Tyra Banks or Heidi Klum simply by flipping through 18 Magazine pages each month.
As a result, even though "Model Diary" ran only eight years—from 2003 until 2010—it remains one of 18 Magazine's most popular sections due to its unique combination of honesty and accessibility: providing inside scoop into otherwise private lives while also giving fans something tangible they couldn't get anywhere else. With so many other magazines now offering similar features dedicated solely to models' daily routines ("Diary of…" columns being commonplace today), it is easy to see why this section remains beloved decades later!
Annual "Model Diary" Feature Conclusion
In conclusion, whether you are a diehard fan of supermodels past or present day, reading "Model Diaries" was an excellent way to gain insight into what life is really like behind closed doors; from sharing details about meals (like Kate Moss talking candidly about how strict she became after becoming pregnant) to struggles with self-esteem (Gisele Bundchen writing openly about feeling insecure despite all her success), these entries created more genuine connections than ever before possible through traditional magazine articles alone. And since not every issue featured the same models each year - there were always new discoveries waiting within each edition's pages: readers could learn about lesser-known talents like Doutzen Kroes or Erin Wasson alongside megastars such as Tyra Banks or Heidi Klum simply by flipping through 18 Magazine pages each month. Even though "Model Diaries" ran only for eight years - from 2