Parlour MAVEN: Model Rachel Ritfeld on Motherhood and Balance

In a short amount of time, Rachel Ritfeld has had a career that many would dream of. A world traveler who is fluent in five languages, she's been featured in campaigns for L'Oreal and Toni & Guy, and has graced the catwalk for everyone from Jean Paul Gaultier to Baby Phat. You may have also seen her featured in 50 Cent and Justin Timberlake's "Ayo Technology" or on the former Sky1 series Project Catwalk.Now, as a mother, philanthropist and budding actress, Ritfeld has found a new sense of balance and inspiration. As the second installment of our Parlour MAVEN partnership with London's I'mPOSSIBLE Conversation*, we present to you, Ms. Rachel Ritfeld.Parlour: You've had a successful career in fashion and entertainment, what are three words of advice you'd offer to aspiring young women?Rachel: The majority of my career has been centered around the modeling industry, so the three bits of advice I would give in the field are:• Make sure you have more to offer than your beauty because beauty fades, make sure you have a decent education to back you up. It will add value to you as a person as well as boost your self- esteem and force people take you more seriously.• Remember it is entertainment and temporary so have a plan for when the modeling comes to an end.• Be dignified in everything you do. You cannot build on a bad base, make sure the foundation of who you are, not what you are, is strong!How has the modeling business changed since you began?It has changed immensely. There are more models now than ever, and so many are willing to work for free. This makes it very hard for the majority of real professional models to earn a decent living like we did over five years ago. The women who will stand out and make it are the ones with a plan. With intelligence and a good general knowledge of the fashion business and how to market themselves, they can take it to the next level.What were the biggest professional challenges you have faced?People trying to put me down because they didn't understand the vision I had for my career. But I never took no for an answer and against the odds and the rejection I had an incredible international career. The only thing that can hold me back is me. I choose not to let people have power over my life anymore. Three years ago I was in a position where I had to step out of the business, but I am grateful now for new opportunities and that I have the maturity required now to go wherever I want to take my career.Who inspires you?My daughter, I can't afford to fail. I'm in the process of getting divorced so I have to pull all the strength and focus out of myself right now because I am all she has. I am her example, the concept of what makes a woman will come from me so I cannot allow myself to do anything but succeed. The funny thing is, my daughter's only two years old, but I've been living with her in my head and heart for at least five years. She has been my inspiration for years now.How has being a mother impacted the way that you view work-life balance?It's not easy as a single mom to make it all happen, but so far so good. As a mother I am very happy with myself. I lived in Suriname for the past 1.5 years and only got back to the UK three months ago. Rosalia is everything I always dreamed of and more, and as time goes by it will get easier. She always comes first and everything else happens around her schedule. It can limit work at times but I focus on the positives and as long as she is happy, I'm doing something right.What do you do to relax?Relax? What's that? I recently joined a gym for the first time in my life and that helps to clear my head. If ever I feel like I am getting stressed I spend hours doing visualization exercises and think of everything I am so grateful for in my life. That is very relaxing when getting a two-hour full body massage isn't readily available.When you started in the business, did you have any mentors who helped you along the way?Jessica Huie is an excellent example of a strong woman I have always admired. She has always supported my career and when a woman like that backs you, you can't give up. I believed in myself but when key people whose opinion you value support you, it takes you to another level. It is important to be surrounded by the right people.Are there any young women coming up in the fashion/entertainment business that you admire ?This is the best time in history to be a woman! So many strong and incredible women come into my path every day. I don't know in detail what most of them are doing so I can't name anyone specific but I feel the general state of mind is one filled with aspiration and motivation. It is beautiful to see.What have been some of the most memorable moments of your career? Was there a particular moment when you realized, after all of your hard work that you had officially 'made it'?Having a billboard in Times Square is up there with one of the most memorable moments. I love traveling and have been so fortunate that my career has taken me to so many beautiful and exotic places. I will never feel like I have made it because there will always be a next career phase that I want to conquer. But I've enjoyed every step and, for me, the most important thing is state of mind. If I am emotionally and mentally in a good place, everything else comes together. *On December 12, the sixth I’mPOSSIBLE Conversation will take place at Pearson headquarters in London, UK. As the exclusive digital media partner, we will be running a series of Parlour MAVEN profiles on each of the speakers in the weeks leading up to the event. For more information on how you can attend, visit i-am-possible.com.