When the world’s top models need to show a clean pair of heels, they call on Nina Taylor.
As a body-part model, bits of Nina — mainly her feet, legs, some of her bottom and her hands — are seen in TV adverts and magazines from Vogue to Marie Claire.
She has the feet that sell shoe brands from Scholl to LK Bennett while her elegant pins demonstrate the advantages of Braun or Philips electric razors.
“I’m lucky to be one of the busiest body-part models in the UK,” says Nina, 28. “Celebrities and other models don’t have to worry about their feet so they often get neglected — and that gives me lots of work.
“It gets exhausting but it’s enormous fun. No day is ever the same and each job needs something different.”
Most of her days are spent in the studio and while it may seem as simple as putting a foot in front of the camera, nothing is further from the truth.
“I have to spend hours in often the most excruciating positions,” laughs Nina. “Last week, I was perched on the edge of a bench stretching my foot at an absurdly unnatural angle to make my leg look as extended as possible.”
She also needs precise body control, unlike other models.
“When your foot is in the limelight, for instance, you may need to move it as little as one millimetre and hold it there to get the right shot.”
Nina has learned to become extremely adaptable.
“You never know what will be needed. I was Kate Moss’s hand and foot double for the Rimmel TV adverts. Kate would do the bulk of the advert, smashing glass for instance, but close-up shots of her feet were me.”
Nina, who lives in London, has a rigorous beauty regime.
“My feet are under constant scrutiny and they need to be spot-on every time.
“I’ve been doing this for nearly 10 years so my routine is all about maintenance. I spend half an hour a day on my feet and an hour on my legs, including exercise.”
Moisturising is key, she says. “Every night I use a rich cream to penetrate the skin. It’s also important to cut toenails straight across and I’m always doing home manicures and pedicures. I do an awful lot of buffing to keep them shiny and I keep my cuticles oiled and tidy.”
As for her legs, exfoliating is crucial. “In-grown hairs are a no-no. When it comes to hair removal I wax but I zap strays
in-between times with an epilator.” Nina has to watch her step to avoid any damage to her feet or legs. “I am extremely careful about which shoes I wear — I can’t get blisters or corns. Veins are a terrible danger with legs so I avoid crossing them and, as recommended by my gran, I massage from the ankle up. I am always sub-consciously watching where I step to avoid falls or bumps. Although most things can be wiped out with air brushing, I need them to look scratch-free for auditions. My legs and feet aren’t insured.”
Nina is relaxed when it comes to diet, however, being one of the lucky few who doesn’t have to worry about what she eats.
“I eat healthily to maximise my energy but I don’t carry extra weight. Thankfully, I don’t get cellulite. It’s important to have slim legs without too much muscle definition. I did a lot of ballet when I was younger and I find that ballet bar exercises keep my legs looking just right.”
But Nina didn’t plan on becoming a body-part model.
“I started when I was 18 and at college studying media. My cousin told me I had good-looking hands so I joined an agency. Photographers then asked to look at my feet as well – after all, it’s easier for them to have one model as opposed to two, and it went from there. It helped that I have size 4 (EU 37) feet - the standard size for sample shoes.”
Since then, Nina has lived the model life, working with the UK’s top photographers, designers and advertising teams.
“The only thing different from some of the catwalk models is that I rarely get to travel. My work is usually confined to the studio. Saying that, it never gets dull. They once recreated the Caribbean, complete with a sandy beach, in a studio in East London.”
WHAT AGENCIES LOOK FOR...
Smooth skin tone, no blemishes or scars
No wrinkles
Lean and lithe
Perfect nails cut straight across and with neat cuticles
Patient and friendly personality to cope with shootswww.hiredhandsmodels.com