Spur Magazine Interview: Britt Maren & Wayne Sterling

Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Britt Maren for Spur Magazine on January 26, 2011.

Addiction by Ayako Spring 2011 Campaign - Daria Strokous, Photo: Steven Meisel, Stylist: Lori Goldstein

Steven Meisel photographed Daria Strokous for the spring 2011 Addiction by Ayako campaign in New York on September 17, 2010.

Addiction by Ayako Spring 2011 Campaign
Model: Daria Strokous
Photographer: Steven Meisel
Stylist: Lori Goldstein
Hair: Guido Palau
Makeup: Ayako

Spur Magazine February 2011 Interview: Nimue Smit and Wayne Sterling

Wayne Sterling of Models.Com and TheImagist.com interviewed Nimue Smit for Spur Magazine on November 24, 2010.



Nimue Smit was that instant sensation two years ago when she debuted in fashion as a Prada/Miu-Miu runway exclusive. Her wide eyed child brand of beauty certainly put her in the advance wave of the gorgeous new Dutch models like Patrica can der Vliet and Mirte Maas who were beginning to flood the runways and the editorials. But what set Nimue apart and certainly what ushered her straight from the runway to the Prada SS09 campaign as well as the Alberta Ferretti (FW09) and Armani Collection (SS10) campaigns was an extra polish of sophisticated grace. Extremely well educated, articulate and witty (with a talent for mimicking a wide variety of accents in a wide range of languages) Nimue is a distinct sign of fashion's current need to highlight girls who bring an intelligent understanding and a wider cultural value to the act of modeling. Fashion has always been about the fantasy of high style as a life style. Beyond just beauty and a sleek slim body (all of which Nimue boasts) the myth of fashion is also about the ideal of perfect diction, perfect manners and cultivating a polished exterior that reflects the elusive ambiance of chic. It is exactly that aura that this 18 year old Dutch beauty exudes in person . Freshly re-located to New York Nimue sat down with Spur of the eve of the American Thanksgiving holidays and gave us a great insight to her upbringing, her ambitions in life and her passions outside of modeling. This was what she had to share. - Wayne Sterling

Wayne Sterling: Why is it that Dutch girls speak such flawless English Nimue?

Nimue Smit: Maybe because they start us in school at a very young age. It's funny you think the english of Dutch girls is so good though. I can always pick up on a Dutch accent speaking English. There's always something a little off. In fact there was a book out that collected all the phrases with the slight mistakes the Dutch make with English.

WS: How many languages do you speak?

NS: I speak Dutch...English ...I understand some French but I wouldn't say I speak it well. The same for German. But those basic four languages. In school they taught us to read ancient Greek as well as some Latin. I think if you're going learn the Romance languages like French, German English or Spanish or Italian it's good to know the roots of your language.

WS: Wow. That's seriously impressive Nimue. Switching to pop culture, I just got an email asking what I thought of the Harry Potter movie Pt 6. I know you just saw it.

NS: I'm a big Harry Potter fan. I grew up with the books from the first one so it is very interesting for me to see the way they developed the story throughout the years.

WS: The last movie frustrated me over the point at which they chose to split the book in two parts.

NS: But at least they didn't have to cut out sections of the book like they had to in the previous films. This way they can let the story develop and be really true to the full plot.

WS: You said you grew up with the Harry Potter books...How old are you now ?

NS: I'm 18. I started modeling when I was 15 in Holland and I did the Prada-Miu Miu exclusive for my first show season when I was 16. Then right after that I did the shoots for Burberry...British Vogue...Italian Vogue with Meisel.

WS: Your parents are both doctors, yes?

NS: Yes. And I have grandparents who were also doctors so growing up I was fascinated by the whole idea of going into medicine.

WS: You're not tempted to break the tradition for fashion?

NS: At one point I might go to medical school. I'm not sure yet. I just finished high school this June so this is my first time modeling full time. I'm enjoying the modeling right now and as long as I enjoy it I want to keep pursuing it. I just moved to New York on my own and I'm enjoying discovering the city. It's so different from a place like Amsterdam or Paris. Paris is so organic as a city . You can see where it started on the Seine and just spread and spread. But in New York it feels so planned out. There's nothing old here. It is hard to believe that hundreds of years ago Manhattan was like one big forest when the Dutch first came here to trade. They could take boats right up the Hudson river. But you'd never believe any of that now looking at Manhattan. I was born in Amsterdam and grew up just outside of the city, sort of between the suburbs and the countryside.It' s the green heart as they call it...sort of where the houses give way to the forest.

WS: In your country, would you like to be extremely famous as a model...on the level of...the biggest Dutch girl now?

NS: That would be Doutzen. I'd say she's the most known of all the Dutch models. She's a celebrity everywhere she goes because her L"Oreal ads are everywhere but I'm not sure that I'd want that for myself. Modeling was never really seen as a big deal in Holland before, not until Holland's Next Top Model became popular. That changed it a bit...but no I wouldn't want to be known everywhere I go in Holland. I have friends who tell me that Doutzen copes with it well though . She's always polite. If she's having dinner and someone wants an autograph, she's always obliging. I have to say I enjoy going back home to Holland to visit after working. I would love to live for a little while in a houseboat in Amsterdam . That would be so quaint.

WS: How would you summarize your personal style Nimue?

NS: Well I love wearing a great sweater, probably a baggy one or maybe a jacket with very fitted pants and great shoes. I find that I'm always looking for classics and basics, That's basically the essence of my style. For that I love Alexander Wang of course.

WS: As all the models do.

NS: As all models do (laughs) Rodarte is just so beautiful to look at. I would love to have something of theirs'. I love all the luxury French brands. I love my Celine bag. It' s perfect to fit everything I need into it.

WS: You got it as a post show gift?

NS: Yes. It was the most amazing surprise.

WS: Great marketing move on Celine's part !

NS: Oh yes. I think it's great when designers offer trade for doing the shows and they offer you a quality piece because when the models really like something... a bag, a shoe...a dress...a coat...we will wear it constantly from city to city. It's a great form of advertising I think.

WS: I love the concept of the off-duty model . She sometimes makes you notice the bag or shoe even more than when it' s in an ad.

NS: I love the classics. Chanel. Yves Saint Laurent. Givenchy. Vuitton...you know the quality is always going to be fantastic. My style is try to mix all these things together with my basics to create something timeless.

WS: You're not very heavily into accessories like jewelry it seems.

NS: Not a lot and not unless it really means something to me. I wear a ring that I got from my grandparents. This watch was from my grandmother who passed away. So I like that the few pieces of jewelry I have are very special to me.

WS: And what's your current listening Nimue? Models always have the best musical tastes.

NS: I just saw Le Roux in concert. She's really good live. I also like a lot of the old music like George Harrison and Bob Dylan...The Beatles.

WS: Who are freshly out at iTunes!

NS: Yes I'm so excited!

WS: Thank you so much for our conversation Nimue. It was very nice to meet the girl behind the beautiful images.

NS: Thank you for thinking of me for this Wayne.

Spur Magazine Interview: Rianne ten Haken + Wayne Sterling

Wayne Sterling of The Imagist & Models.Com interviewed Rianne ten Haken for Spur Magazine at Women NYC on November 17,2009 :



Rianne Ten Haken, the 23 year old Dutch beauty currently igniting a major buzz in the fashion industry is the interesting case of a girl whose career started immediately from the top. In her very first season in September of 2003 Rianne opened the SS 2004 Marc Jacobs show on the recommendation of the show's power stylist Venecia Scott. Immediately there was a bidding war with Versace quickly nabbing the fresh faced newcomer to be the face of the label for Spring 2004. Italian Vogue and Numero covers followed quickly as well as assignments for Chanel. All seemed aligned to assure that the luscious beauty of Rianne was to follow the path of the traditional supermodel. But suddenly work slowed to a trickle even though her perfect proportions kept earning Rianne sporadic runway gigs like a cameo on the Vuitton Spring 2008 "Nurse" intro where she walked in the section of the show reserved for icons like Naomi Campbell and Claudia Schiffer. It was interesting then when Miss Ten Haken re-entered the Steven Meisel orbit in 2009 with back to back covers of Vogue Italia (Oct and Nov) proving that this powerfully glamorous girl has serious staying power with some of the most demanding photographers and designers in the business. Already the leverage of those two covers have earned Rianne a massive Only Girl story in Self-Service magazine as well as an interesting conversation about the return of image of strong women in magazine editorials. In her first post-comeback interview, Rianne sat down with Spur to explain what she had been doing in her "off duty" years, her views on femininity and sexuality in fashion and her thoughts on the increasingly fast turn over on new models. This was her strong perspective.

WS: Two Italian Vogue covers later everybody 's buzzing about you Rianne. You took a little time off. Tell us what you were doing during that off duty phase
RTH:
I was still working. I was doing some commercial work. I was living in Europe having a nice life…finishing my school and you know just enjoying the moment …not anything major but just going on with my life

WS: What were you studying in school?
RTH: It was business school which was a little bit boring but I had to get it out of the way. I'm done with school. I graduated in July . I'm enjoying the moment right now of not doing anything. I'm finally having the time to read the books that I want to read. And not always having that weight on your shoulders of having to do assignments

WS: What made you decide to come back to NY and plunge back into the industry?
RTH: I was living in Paris for 3 years. it was beautiful city and a beautiful life but at certain point you had done everything you can in Europe and you're ready for a change again. Because I used to live here in New York so I was kind of missing New York so I decided to give it another shot. It is such an easy city to live and the energy and the people make you feel like everything is possible.

WS:As opposed to Paris…
RTH: Paris is a little bit more mellow . It is definitely a better quality of life in some ways but if you want to work and make the most of your career you definitely have to come back to New York.

WS: Upon coming back did you find things different or essentially the same
RTH: I think you grow up and you look at it in a different way. Whereas when you were younger you just don't really know what's going on you just run around and people tell you to go here and go there and you just do it. I guess now that I have more life experience ..you form your own personality.. so you look at it in different way and you're not the youngest one anymore. That is what has really changed. People are not any more like "Oh you're a baby!" But you appreciate it more. You realize how lucky you are. You know who people are . The first season I came here I was like…Marc who? You have no idea who people are ..you don't understand the politics of the game . Now is better

WS: Do you feel like things in fashion are moving faster?
RTH: Well definitely. If I only look model-wise, I think in the last 3 or 4 years so many models pass through it . After 1 or 2 seasons of fame you never hear from them again. Whereas when I started I felt like there were more girls who were around for a longer period of time. Today you're big for one or two or three seasons and also I find the look of the models to be very different. Before it was more of a classic beauty whereas today it is like the girls look alike. Longish hair, pale skin. They work together on the runway. If you look at the fashion shows there is not much individuality.

WS: Speaking of individuality…your hair...
RTH: I know..I'm standing out. You couldn't miss me. After the Italian Vogue cover came out I thought let me just wait and see what the response is. We can always go back to a different color.

WS: Off duty from modeling what's fun for you?
RTH: I' m very much a homebody. I have very really beautiful house in Holland so I like to do some work on it in Holland. I like to read. I like to be in nature. I grew up no farm so I like to be outside. I like going out to dinners and to the movies. Music wise I like tacky 80's music.

WS: What would you say your career goals right now are
RTH: My goal is just about sticking around as long as I can. It is hard now to set certain goals to tell yourself like… I want to be on the cover of Vogue Paris. It is not up to you no matter how beautiful you are or how great a personality you have. I just take it as it comes and I hope I can do some great work still.

WS: There's a big surge of girls from Holland right now...
RTH: There is! There's Mirte… Patricia…I don't know all of them because they're really young girls . I think there's always a trend going on. There was the Russians for a while…the same thing for the Brazilians. There was a time when the Belgian girls were really hot.

WS:What quality would you say best describes a cool Dutch girl?
RTH: I think that if you look at Holland as a country you find that life is good there so models from Holland tend to be more laid back and relaxed because they know they can always go back to a stable life. So girls take modeling as something to enjoy as opposed to coming from a really poor country. There's a tradition of putting things in perspective. In Holland no-one asks me if I'm a model or what labels I'm wearing.

WS: There's something to be said also for a woman looking like woman in fashion shoot. How do you feel about this?
RTH: I also think it is different from what I remember from the past. I think it is different from the past three years in that the girls are very child-like. If you really look a woman then fashion is not so interested. People are very afraid of sexuality in the fashion industry. French magazines like Self-Service don't mind a very beautiful woman. But I think some people feel like it takes the focus off the clothes. Which is why people like the girls who are more like anonymous clothes hangers as opposed to attracting attention in and of themselves.

WS: Could you see yourself as being a star in the supermodel mould?
RTH:I don't think you can choose to be that . If it happens it happens but it is difficult to be in that position because nobody tells you the truth anymore. People just want to be your friend at any cost. Being a public figure is very difficult because you live under a microscope. Everything you say or do is being judged a million different ways. I love being able to go back to Holland and having my two feet on the ground.

WS: Well thank you so much Rianne for sharing your interesting perspective on the industry.
RTH: Thank you so much Wayne!

Spur Magazine - Christina Kruse, interviewed by Wayne Sterling

Wayne Sterling, of Models.com & The Imagist interviewed Christina Kruse for Spur Magazine on January 31, 2009.



Christina Kruse rose with spectacular speed in the mid-90's through the pages of Harper's Bazaar and Italian Vogue to become one of the Hallmark models of her era. Which is why 12 years later it is wonderful to see this beautiful woman still front and center in blue chip brigades at the SS 09 Marc Jacobs show, the current CK One ads running in print and in television as well as her upcoming editorial in W Magazine as photographed by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. The team of Inez and Vinoodh will also highlight Christina in the next issue of Purple in their nude "Pin Up" series that has featured models such as Angela Lindvall and Lara Stone in the past.

Spur met with Christina one bright Saturday morning in New York and what was most striking about Christina, apart from her timeless beauty, was the air of calm and completion that emanated off her in waves. Christina was in the middle of preparing for a massive exhibition of her artwork at a very prestigious New York gallery, but hers was very serene beauty that morning , unhurried and unworried. She spoke with a slight English accent in a very soft voice but her ideas of life, modeling, motherhood and fashion were very certain. Here is what Christina had to say.


Wayne Sterling: Good morning Christina. We're very excited to hear about your upcoming photo exhibit.
Christina Kruse:Well actually it's a show that's going to bring together all the work I'm been doing for the past 12 0r 13 years. So its not jut the photographs. There's going to be drawings and collages and prints and watercolors and photograms as wells as the portraits.

WS:Photograms like Man Ray used to make?
CK:Excatly. There'll also be portraits of others but with a special meaning that makes it fit into the entire exhibition. Its going to be here in New York at the Steven Kasher gallery on 23rd Street.

WS: Brilliant. How did this all come together? I mean, Steven Kasher is one of the biggest photo-gallaries in NY
CK: I got a show in Germany last year and they chose to show some of the portraits which took them a little bit out of the context in which they were meant to be seen. But that show travelled to Paris which is how I think it caught the attention of Steven Kasher. But before that I had been represented by Katy Barker, maybe 10 years ago as a photographer, so I kind of had some contacts in the photography world that encouraged me to do this.

WS: Its almost as if you have two parallel lives then...Christina the visual artist and Christina the fashion model.
CK: I have to say that I feel very fortunate to have my agency Women, managing my career the way they do. They really limit what I do to a tiny, tiny, tiny group of jobs.

WS: Super-super selective in other words.
CK: Very much so. Sometimes I'll be like... I don't mind doing that certain job but Women will say no...not that...only this and this and this. It is wonderful for me that way. I wake up in the mornings, I take the subway to my studio in Brooklyn. I do my work every day and then I come back into the city by 4 to pick up my son and make him his dinner. And then sometimes there are modeling jobs in between but it is with people who really inspire me and make me feel very comfortable to be in their company.

WS: Did you go art school as a teenager?
CK: No, it's funny. everybody always asks me that but I went to a regular school. I mean we had art classes and went to museums on field trips and all that. But no...I wasn't really the art student type. I left school in Germany when I was 15, by myself, to go to school in America. I went to school in Arizona. The program we were studying was closer to like...zoology...dissecting insects and stitting in fields studying different birds and insects. So there I was with my umbrella because being so pale I would get sun-burned easily and I was like "What was I thinking"

WS: You must have felt like David Bowie in "The Man Who Fell To Earth"
CK: Oh, but I made friends. There were these twins who were kind of like "earth sisters". They wore Birkenstocks and I wore Birkenstocks . They didn't shave their legs and i didn't shave my legs so we kind of identified with each other.

WS: How did you fall into modeling then?
CK: I was in a mall and this scout came up to me and asked me if I wanted to model. I was too young then. But one summer on my vacation all of a sudden I found myself in Italy, because that's where you started then. Things were different then. back then you wouldn't work until you had lots of tests in your book so you would have to go to Milan and shoot tons of tests. For instance I remember meeting Georgina Grenville in Italy back then and she became one of my best friends. But I remember being really impressed that her mother had allowed her to come to live in Milan on her own at such a young age. but even the shows were different then. They were really choreographed and you had to remember all these steps and turns . then we got to New York and all of that went away.

WS: And when did you start making art as your daily practice?
CK That would have been in...96? Though it didn't become really serious until 97. So it has been 12 years working now. I remember I used to go back and forth between Paris and New York so much, the stewardesses on Air France would recognize me because I would always be working on these little cards that I would water-color. A 7 hour flight was so long and boring, it was how I'd occupy my time. So after a while they'd know when my water was starting to become a little too muddy and dirty and they would have fresh water ready for me without my having to ask. That was really nice.

WS: I get the feeling that creating art is a very intuitive and organic thing for you. It is within you.
CK: Oh yes. It is about this dialogue that you have within yourself that has to be private. I' m one of those people who does not really mind being alone.


WS: Is it a struggle balancing the art work with raising your son?
CK: Not at all. In fact I feel really lucky to have nice life where I have the freedom to create and spend lots of time with my son. Being around a child also makes you more open and aware in many ways. They remind you of all the things you've forced yourself to forget. Take for instance the way children can learn languages so fast. That is because they can hear the phonetics of language that our ears no longer pick up. A child can hear the subtleties in the pronunciation of Mandarin. So having my child actually helps me to be more open and aware and perceptive.

WS: I get this feeling from you that you're very much at peace with yourself and the world around you and that you're quite happy
CK: Yes. I feel very lucky. I mean there are things I want to do and things I still want to create but that's going to require getting this really big job or getting some backing. But I'm afraid of that thing of having to answer to other people about what I create. I like that freedom of living my life quietly and carefully. Today for instance is my birthday and I'm going to go into the studio today and then see a play and then have dinner and there's not much more than that that I need. So its a good life you know.

WS: Well Happy Birthday Christina and thank you so much for taking a Saturday morning out to talk to Spur.
CK: Thank You Wayne It was very nice talking with you. I really enjoyed this!