Draper fashion model Sydney Svitak wears many different hats both on and off the runway. Svitak, a junior at Corner Canyon High School, has appeared on runways during Fashion Week in New York, Paris, Los Angeles and Milan. To help fund her travel expenses and raise money for charity, she makes and sells her own jewelry and has started pet-sitting in Draper. This month she is looking ahead to Fashion Week in Paris while preparing for her college entrance exams in March. 

Sydney developed an interest in modeling in her early teens. “I was actually a super shy kid,” she said. “In my early teens I did dance and acting along with modeling workshops and even pageants to get out of my shell and build confidence.” 

Draper fashion model Sydney Svitak walked the runway last September at Fashion Week in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Loic Mauvoisin)

In 2022, she entered a local modeling competition for an opportunity to walk in New York Fashion Week. Sydney didn’t win the contest, but she made a strong impression on a Utah-based fashion designer who invited her to the show. “After my debut in New York, I received offers to join Los Angeles Fashion Week, then returned to New York followed by Paris and Milan. It’s been a couple of years now—six Fashion Week seasons—that I’ve been cast to walk in New York and Paris. Last September was my first time modeling in Milan.”  

Photographs of Sydney taken in Milan have been featured in magazines such as Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, L’Officiel and Elle. “Every city and show is a new experience with new opportunities and I’ve loved working with different designers and productions along the way,” Sydney said.

The past few years have been a whirlwind of activity for Sydney and she expressed her appreciation for her parents who support her endeavors. “They have been amazing. They’re constantly teaching me how to be organized, practice self-discipline and keep a good balance between school, modeling, tennis and my other hustles.” She jokingly referred to her mother, Patricia Svitak as her “momager.” 

“I take care of her schedule when we’re traveling,” Patricia explained. “Her coaches help me find opportunities for her, and she is currently seeking sponsorship and representation. However, modeling is unpredictable so we also want her to stay focused on college. We’re taking opportunities step by step.” 

Kiara Belen, a finalist from America’s Next Top Model, coached Sydney as she was starting her modeling career. Last year, Sydney participated in CocoRocha’s Model Camp in upstate New York. “It was my first intensive modeling workshop,” she said. “It was amazing!”  

Draper fashion model Sydney Svitak was photographed at CocoRocha Model Camp last year. (Photo by Jeanie Stehr)

As she has gained more experience, Sydney has held her own modeling workshops for local aspiring models. “She has trained a couple of models who have gone on to do shows in LA, Vegas and even Paris,” Patricia said. 

The creative aspect of runway modeling is one of Sydney’s passions. “I love stepping into new personas bringing each outfit to life, owning the moment,” she said. “You’re projecting emotions on the runway with movements, your face and body to embody the designer’s vision.” 

“The model’s job is to deliver a feeling and personalize every single outfit,” Patricia added. “It’s almost like a form of acting—every movement, every pose in intentional.” 

Being a fashion model requires a lot of hard work. “It takes months to prepare for a show,” Sydney explained. She practices runway walks and poses for photo shoots in addition to posture exercises. “I record myself, review past shows, and get guidance from mentors to improve. I just try to stay focused on my goals. It requires a lot of self-discipline from what I eat daily to getting a good night’s sleep. Dreams don’t work unless I do.”

Both Sydney and Patricia mentioned the model casting calls, which are similar to auditions for actors, in which models walk in front of the fashion designers who are participating in a particular show. Sydney said, “The hardest part is not comparing myself to other models at castings—I’ve had to learn to trust my own abilities and stay confident no matter what. Stay focused and just enjoy the moment.” 

At the same time, Sydney has homework and grades to maintain. “I’m lucky that my teachers help me stay on track,” she said. “When I travel for shows, I bring my computer and do homework during downtime. It can get pretty busy, so I just push myself to get things done, and sleeping well is really important too. Balancing everything is a lot, but I enjoy it because I love both modeling and school.”

Sydney Svitak sold her jewelry last month at a craft fair at South Towne Mall to help cover the costs of her travel for modeling. (Photo courtesy of Patricia Svitak)

“I don’t want her to miss out on her high school experiences,” Patricia said, explaining that Sydney carves out time for school dances and sports. “I was on the Corner Canyon academy tennis team,” Sydney said. She is practicing so she can make the team again next year and hopefully play tennis in college.

Patricia noted that when Sydney started modeling, that there were few opportunities for fashion models in Utah. “We’ve noticed over the past few years that fashion is coming to Utah,” she said. “There are several designers in Utah getting together and organizing fashion shows—more opportunities for models.”

Sydney would love to pursue modeling as a career but wants to be prepared for whatever the future brings. “I’m planning to go to college for business administration and continue modeling on the side,” she said. “Modeling is unpredictable, so I like keeping my options open and balancing it with other goals.”

She is already an entrepreneur selling her handcrafted beach-themed jewelry at local craft markets in addition to pet-sitting and teaching modeling workshops. Sydney uses the money she makes to cover her modeling travel expenses and also gives to charities. She expressed her gratitude to the people who have purchased her jewelry and hire her for pet-sitting. “I really couldn’t do this without them,” she said. 

Sydney’s parents are very proud of her achievements. “With hundreds of models in line for a casting, she gets chosen and gets published,” Patricia said. 

For Sydney, modeling has been an adventure filled with unforgettable experiences. “Working with designers and different people from around the world is so exciting,” she said.