Name: Klara B
Nationality: French
Age: 20
Agency: Profile Model Management
How did you become a model?
I was spotted on Facebook by a French photographer who introduced me to my actual mother agency in New York, Model Partner.
Who is your favourite designer?
Without thinking a second, it’s Yohji Yamamoto. When I saw one of his shows for the first time, it was still on VHS. I was 13 and knew very little about fashion and even about Japan. His work was so different and special, it moved me. I wanted to understand, to discover more. He made me fall in love with the Japanese culture. For this reason, I have been learning Japanese for seven years.
What do you wear on your days off?
In Paris, the model outfit is really simple – black skinny jeans, blank top, high heels … so when it comes to the weekend I want to be creative. I love wearing black but i’ll always pair it with some nice pieces, most of the time vintage that I can find in the Paris or London thrift shops. I never wear lots of make up or jewellery I prefer to stick to something chic but original by the mix of the pieces.
What book, movie or song means the most to you?
Spirited Away. This movie is amazing in every way and it’s striking how you can watch it at every age and catch more depth every time, being touched differently. I think i watch all the Miyazakis maybe once a year.
Who are your heroes in life?
I don’t really have heroes but i have great admiration for my father : i am a better person than i could ever be because of him. He has always put my brother and I before himself and never treated us as kids, listening and talking with us as if we were adults. He’s the most dedicated, understanding and hard working person i know. he supports me in everything i do, I’m really grateful to have him.
What is your present state of mind?
I’m peaceful. I love what I do, i know where I go and I know that I have the strength to overcome any obstacle.
What is your idea of happiness?
Happiness for me is simply to be fulfilled in what I do: to work with talented and passionate people for something I believe in. Continuing to work on my photographic projects and having the means to make the images that I imagine (because I’m also a photographer). To be surrounded by my family and friends, being able to take them with me on trips around the world. The most important is to be able to always learn new things, because there are so much to discover.
How would you like to be perceived by others?
I don’t really care about how I am perceived. It just takes too much energy to pay attention to that. I’m true to myself and caring about others and that’s it.
If you were not a model, what would you be?
I will work in marketing and sales. I already have a degree in that field and will continue it later. My goal is to work for important Japanese brands in fashion or luxury (should I mention Yohji Yamamoto?). I really want to work internationally, that’s why I decided to learn four languages. I can speak French, English, German, Spanish and Japanese.
What advice do you have for other models?
My advice to other models, and especially for the girls who want to become models would be, do not throw yourself entirely, body and soul in this business.
Be professional but be sufficiently detached. being judged every day on physical, running to lots of castings and have sometimes negative responses can be difficult to bear. It is important that you have other things in your life than modeling – careers are short and this job can make you feel a bit lonely sometimes (always abroad, no time to really settle somewhere …). So be passionate and fulfilled people in order to enjoy all the absolutely awesome aspects of this job because there are many!
by Justin van Vliet
All photographs: Justin van Vliet