My on‑the‑go wardrobe is never allowed to have creases: A model's portable steam care note
I’ve been in the business for 8 years.
For the general public, fashion may mean "looking glamorous", but for us, it often means: arriving at the scene at five in the morning, changing clothes in the fitting room set up in the warehouse, rushing into the studio after a flight delay, and then, amid all this chaos - you still have to keep your clothes neat and wrinkle-free, and be meticulous.
From the pop‑up shows in New York, haute‑couture fittings in Paris to the five street snaps in a day in Los Angeles, countless times I’ve headed straight to camera the moment my suitcase opens. And these times, what really stabilizes my mind is not foundation, nor coffee, but my portable steamer that I carry with me.
Don't laugh. I'm serious.
【01】An unironed skirt hem ruins more than just a photo
Once in Milan, we only got our runway outfits 10 minutes before the start of a brand preview event. There was only a small curtain separating the mannequins, and the pace of changing clothes was so fast that it was suffocating. It was a silk fishtail dress with stunning color and perfect cutting - the only drawback was that there were three creases on the hem of the dress.
The stylist's face turned pale and the director of photography kept urging. As time ticked by second by second, the anxiety in the background was almost suffocating. Without saying a word, I took out the portable steamer from my backpack, filled it, heated it up in about 15 seconds, and smoothed the hem in about three minutes.
At that moment, I realized that this unremarkable little device could really "save the day".
In our line of work, a single crease is enough to ruin a set of photos, ruin a show, and even affect the first impression of a brand's launch. And as a model, you must be responsible for this presentation.
【02】Portable steamer is more important than high heels in my suitcase
You may not be able to imagine that when we travel the world with model cards on our backs, what's stuffed in the boxes is not makeup or accessories, but:
Spare seamless underwear
Air cushion insoles
Antiperspirant spray
And a portable steamer
I have changed countless models. Traditional irons are too heavy. Using them in hotels is simply a nightmare. Some are small but not powerful. Not only do the steam levels fluctuate, but they are also prone to leakage. Once when shooting in Los Angeles, I brought the wrong equipment. As a result, at four o 'clock in the morning, I was sitting on the floor tiles of the bathroom by myself, stretching my coat hem with my hand, trying to "flatten" it with the steam from the bathroom.
At that time, I swore: I would never make do with an unreliable iron again.
It was not until later that I started using the Nesugar series. Its startup speed completely changed my mind - it truly managed to spray stable steam within just a few seconds without dripping water. This was simply the lifeblood on the shooting site. Its light and compact size allows me to easily stuff it into a large handbag, and even airport security doesn't pay much attention to its presence.
From now on, I no longer worry about the condition of my clothes, because this device is always by my side.
【03】Portability doesn't mean making do. It must be a "professional-grade compact" device.
Many people misunderstand portable steamer as an "emergency" device, as long as it works. But in my work scenario, it needs to be able to keep up with the pace of the entire venue:
Quickly deal with the creases of new clothes when trying them on
Shape the lines of the clothing in the last five minutes before the fashion show
On the shooting site, various materials and complex structural shapes are handled
Here are my five hard requirements for a portable steamer:
1.The ultra-fast preheating time is ≤ 30 seconds
I don't have time to wait for it to warm up slowly. A truly efficient machine should be able to "get in place" in a short time and be ready to enter the battle the moment you press the button.
2. The steam output is uniform and uninterrupted
It should be able to continuously output high-pressure steam for 8 minutes and not suddenly weaken. The steam was intermittent, just like a model spraining her ankle while walking on the catwalk - she was out immediately.
3. The hand feel design is scientific
We often need to "suspend" ironing - hold it and operate it on the clothes for 20 minutes. If the center of gravity of the handle is incorrect, the material is slippery, or the Angle is awkward, the wrist will break down.
The design of Nesugar is almost "tailor-made" for me. It imitates the Angle of a pen grip, is not slippery, and is light but not flabby.
4. Multi-material compatibility
Silk, chiffon, wool, denim and even leather can all be pieced together. There's no need to shift gears and you don't have to worry about getting burned.
5. Portable and (Optional) International Voltage Compatibility
Portability is a must for me. In my line of work, I can be in three different cities in a week, so I need something that fits easily in my carry-on and doesn’t slow me down. The Nesugar series hand steamer for clothes weighs just about a pound — super lightweight. Not all models support international voltage, but I personally use the G2pro (and I’ve also tried the G7), both of which are globally compatible — no adapters or converters needed. If you travel internationally, definitely double-check for that feature when choosing your model.
【04】 Real scene: The sense of trust brought by a portable steamer
What I like most is that it never allows me to "stumble".
Back stage of the New York preview: When the model was changing outfits, it was found that the collar had been creased. The studio lighting had already begun. I used Nesugar for less than two minutes before the director patted me on the shoulder and said, "You saved the show."
A quick photo shoot of an old house in Paris: The gauze curtains used for the set were crumpled into a ball due to transportation. The props team gave up handling it, and I simply smoothed it out layer by layer with portable steamer to restore the romantic atmosphere of the set.
Preparations for the night live stream in Hong Kong: Land in the early hours of the morning and go live the next day. Ten sets of clothes must be prepared before makeup. I hid in the hotel bathroom and started working, taking care of all the looks by myself. The client even thought I had brought my own team of stylists.
This is not showing off. Rather, it means that in a highly uncertain professional environment, a reliable device brings not convenience but a sense of "trust" - you know it won't let you down at critical moments.
【05】"Portability" is not an additional attribute but a necessity of our times
Seriously, who isn't working while walking nowadays?
You might be a powerful career woman or a business mother traveling around with her children. You might be an educator on a business trip giving a lecture, or you could be a graduate going for an interview.
We don't have any extra time for trivial matters like "finding an iron, waiting for heating, and getting burned". What we need is a tool that can be used anytime and anywhere, opened immediately and does not hold us back. And a truly professional portable steamer can help you get rid of all these trivialities.
It won't replace you as the "perfect" person, but it will make you look effortlessly neat and in top form at important moments.
[06] To every one of you who needs to go on stage neatly
I have always believed that clothes are our armor.
You might be wearing a streetwear brand or a haute couture piece, but as long as there are wrinkles at the corners and loose lines, it seems as if you're not ready.
And that "ready" state often comes from these seemingly insignificant preparations - like when you bring a good portable steamer.
I won't tell you which brand is the "only choice", but I know that in the past two years, Nesugar has been my partner without a single misstep. It enables me to at least ensure that my clothes are not wrinkled and my state is not in a mess when my work is at its most chaotic.
I believe it can do this for you as well.
【07】 Final conclusion: Don't settle for anything. It's truly useful only when it's comfortable to use
Choose portable steamer. Don't just look at the price or style. What really matters is whether it can keep up with your pace and handle your work.
I'm willing to spend several hundred dollars on high heels not because they look good, but because I know they won't make me fall under high pressure.
Similarly, I will always carry a portable steamer with me, not for the sake of "refinement", but because in this profession, I cannot lose to a single crepe.
May you also have a portable steamer, which is not a "tool", but the confidence in your composure.
