Shelly Denise
Published on Issue Winter & Special Middle East 2021 presented at the Katara Show
Shelly Denise
Harderwijk the Netherlands
WRITTEN BY: SONIA SMALDONE
“Arabian horses have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart” …
1.Who is Shelly Denise? Please tell us about yourself, where you are from and your family. 1. I was born in Harderwijk, a small city in the Netherlands. I grew up there with my family until I graduated from high school, after which I moved to Amsterdam for my Business Studies (BBA). My mother is Dutch and my father is from Surinam, but most of my family live in the Netherlands. I have always adored animals of any kind. I’ve had pets from young age and when I was 7 years old I started horse riding. I was lucky that I grew up in an area near the forest and with many horse stables around. People love horse riding in the Netherlands so there are many places to do so. Once I started studying, I unfortunately didn’t have much time anymore because I moved to Spain for a part of my studies and it was really difficult to find a place there to go riding. However, my passion and love for horses will never end… I am currently living near Amsterdam, but I don’t think I will stay here forever. During my time abroad in Spain, I fell in love with Madrid and its culture. It’s such a different lifestyle there. I really like the Netherlands for their convenience, but when it comes to culture, nature, history, food, and people, I much prefer Spain. I try not to plan too much ahead as I tend to change my mind regularly, but I definitely wouldn’t mind moving back to Spain at some point. 2. How and when were you discovered as a model? Did you always want to pursue modelling? 2. I grew up watching TV shows like “ANTM”, and it inspired me from young age to try new looks and practice my posing in photos. I have always loved models such as Adriana Lima and Monica Bellucci, and they have always have been an inspiration to me. However, I didn’t want to pursue a professional career at an agency because I didn’t always agree with the industry standards as they used to be. But, when social media platforms such as Instagram became bigger, I got in contact with some photographers and decided to start doing collaboration shoots as a hobby. One thing led to another and soon I received more and more requests for photoshoots. I love doing collaboration shoots as it is a great way to push your creativity. Different photographers have different styles and it’s nice to style a shoot together and try out different things together. I’m so happy to see how the modelling and fashion industry is changing now though. It is finally becoming more diverse and inclusive and I hope it continues to develop this way for both men and women in the industry. I recently graduated and I was approached by an agency again, so I decided to also start doing it more professionally for the next years. 3. If you had to say–what three things make a great model? 3. Great part of modelling is about ‘look’, but I think what really makes a model stand out is the attitude and character. I feel like it’s so important to be kind and positive, as a positive character will always make the mood on set much better and, therefore, make the photoshoot much more fun – both for yourself and the photographer and crew. Confidence also plays a big role in this. It is totally normal to feel nervous, especially in the beginning or during important shoots. Once you start doing more photoshoots and as your career as a model progresses, new experiences will definitely make you feel more confident naturally as you start getting the flow of it. I believe being versatile is also important, as you need to be able to interpret different roles according to the job or photographer’s needs. Sometimes, you have to do something you’re really not used to doing, then you just have to know how to act and be capable of changing expression and act following a certain story. 4. What have been your favourite experiences modelling so far? 4. Last year I did a shooting in Milan. The crew rented a big mansion for the weekend just outside the centre as they were also shooting a video clip there. Meanwhile the photographer and I were doing a shoot for an interview with the Dutch FHM Magazine. I enjoyed this shoot a lot because of the company and location, but in general I think beach and nature shoots will always be my favourite. I love shooting in Ibiza because of the beautiful locations there. In the end the most important thing for me is that there is a good connection between the photographer and I. When the vibe is good, I will feel more comfortable and it will allow me to be more creative. 5. Are there any designers that you really like to wear? How would you describe your style? 5. If I had to describe my style in one word, I would say: diverse. One day I am sporty or casual, the next more feminine and classy. One day dark, the next more colourful. My closet has everything from jeans to leggings to dresses to skirts. I tend to pick my outfits based on my mood and the occasion. For my daily activities I usually wear jeans and sneakers, but when I go somewhere for dinner or have another occasion, I prefer wearing dresses and heels. Although I do have some designer clothes, I personally don’t really focus on the brand when buying clothes. I usually just buy what I like. I do love to add some jewellery to my outfits as I feel like it always finishes up any type of look. In the end, when it comes to fashion and style, I think we should all wear what we feel most comfortable in, whatever that outfit may be. 6. What do you like to do when you’re not modelling in your off time? 6. Besides modelling and horse riding, I am a dancer. Living near Amsterdam right now it’s what is keeping me busy most of my days. I fell in love with the salsa, bachata and kizomba dancing scene during my time in Spain and I have been dancing intensively since then. I don’t think there are days on which I don’t dance. The dance scene is one of the reasons I fell in love with Spain, and what gave me so many great friendships over the past years. I also enjoy travelling a lot. I hope to plan some trips to Dubai and some countries in South America soon which have been on my list for a long time. I think travelling is a great way for everyone to grow as a person, meet people from different cultures and learn about their ways of living and thinking. Living abroad has made me a very open minded person and taught me so many valuable things. There are so many things that I enjoy though. I love just spending time at home with my family and friends, going to the gym, reading, hanging out in the parks in Amsterdam in the summer or just watching movies. 7. Between modelling and Arabian horses…Tell us when you first met an Arabian horse and how you felt about it. 7. When I was 10 years old, I met Mrs. Talitha Bakker from Arabian Stud Europe in Harderwijk. My mom brought me to her stables and Talitha immediately told me I was welcome to come help her in the weekends and after school when I had time. I didn’t have much experience yet with handling horses but that came soon enough. Regardless my young age and experience, she included me in everything. She let me handle her mares with foals, stallions, the easy ones and the difficult ones. I soon became fearless in handling horses, breaking them under saddle, and all that comes with it. We have had really great moments during those years, together with the other girls that came there. So many amazing horses, and so many I fell in love with, but most of all so many good memories. Now that we both moved - she moved to the east of the country and I moved to the west of the country - I don’t come there as often anymore, but whenever I have some time off or when she needs help I try to come and stay over for a few days. I love spending time there and being around her horses and dogs as it brings me so much inner peace! 8. Do you own Arabian horses yourself? What kind of relationship do you have with horses? 8. Unfortunately, I haven’t owned any horses of myself yet, mostly because I don’t have the time. I’m still moving around a lot and have been very busy with my studies and work. Since the beginning of my time at Arabian Stud Europe I haven’t handled or ridden any horses other than Arabian horses though. I love their character, looks, and versatility. They are such loyal and intelligent horses. They have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart. I don’t know when, but I’m sure that one day when I’m settled down I’ll buy my own Arabian horse. 9. Have you ever been to Arabian horses beauty competitions? If so, tell us which International Arabian Horses Show is your favourite one (Dubai, Menton, Aachen, Paris etc...) 9. I used to go to many shows but in the past 3-4 years I haven’t attended many because I was abroad a lot. Aachen has probably been the most memorable one for me. I always enjoyed the atmosphere there and the quality of the horses. A lot of my friends go there too, so it’s always fun to be there, see the horses, and catch up with friends. I also really like the show in Paris. I love the city and going there in winter just before Christmas always has something special! I haven’t been to Menton yet, but always wanted to go. I believe I planned going there already 3 times, but always had to cancel as it usually was the weekend before my exams at University – study duties! Maybe next year now when I will be finally graduated. “The world needs less judgement and more love” 10. Lastly, what’s something you want less of in your life? What about more of….? 10. This year has been a different and crazy year for everyone. To me personally, 2020 has been all about reflecting, learning, and appreciating the little things in life. We have all been so limited this year, but, in return, I got to reflect and change some habits. I have learned to appreciate the little things more, got to spend more time with my friends and family, and I am trying to surround myself with positive people only. There isn’t something I necessarily want more or less of in my life. I am lucky to have a very loving family, amazing friends, and be healthy. I hope that once the current situation has passed, I will be able to travel more again. But, most of all, I hope that in general the world becomes more positive, compassionate, and accepting of each other because the world needs less judgement and more love.
1.Who is Shelly Denise? Please tell us about yourself, where you are from and your family. 1. I was born in Harderwijk, a small city in the Netherlands. I grew up there with my family until I graduated from high school, after which I moved to Amsterdam for my Business Studies (BBA). My mother is Dutch and my father is from Surinam, but most of my family live in the Netherlands. I have always adored animals of any kind. I’ve had pets from young age and when I was 7 years old I started horse riding. I was lucky that I grew up in an area near the forest and with many horse stables around. People love horse riding in the Netherlands so there are many places to do so. Once I started studying, I unfortunately didn’t have much time anymore because I moved to Spain for a part of my studies and it was really difficult to find a place there to go riding. However, my passion and love for horses will never end… I am currently living near Amsterdam, but I don’t think I will stay here forever. During my time abroad in Spain, I fell in love with Madrid and its culture. It’s such a different lifestyle there. I really like the Netherlands for their convenience, but when it comes to culture, nature, history, food, and people, I much prefer Spain. I try not to plan too much ahead as I tend to change my mind regularly, but I definitely wouldn’t mind moving back to Spain at some point. 2. How and when were you discovered as a model? Did you always want to pursue modelling? 2. I grew up watching TV shows like “ANTM”, and it inspired me from young age to try new looks and practice my posing in photos. I have always loved models such as Adriana Lima and Monica Bellucci, and they have always have been an inspiration to me. However, I didn’t want to pursue a professional career at an agency because I didn’t always agree with the industry standards as they used to be. But, when social media platforms such as Instagram became bigger, I got in contact with some photographers and decided to start doing collaboration shoots as a hobby. One thing led to another and soon I received more and more requests for photoshoots. I love doing collaboration shoots as it is a great way to push your creativity. Different photographers have different styles and it’s nice to style a shoot together and try out different things together. I’m so happy to see how the modelling and fashion industry is changing now though. It is finally becoming more diverse and inclusive and I hope it continues to develop this way for both men and women in the industry. I recently graduated and I was approached by an agency again, so I decided to also start doing it more professionally for the next years. 3. If you had to say–what three things make a great model? 3. Great part of modelling is about ‘look’, but I think what really makes a model stand out is the attitude and character. I feel like it’s so important to be kind and positive, as a positive character will always make the mood on set much better and, therefore, make the photoshoot much more fun – both for yourself and the photographer and crew. Confidence also plays a big role in this. It is totally normal to feel nervous, especially in the beginning or during important shoots. Once you start doing more photoshoots and as your career as a model progresses, new experiences will definitely make you feel more confident naturally as you start getting the flow of it. I believe being versatile is also important, as you need to be able to interpret different roles according to the job or photographer’s needs. Sometimes, you have to do something you’re really not used to doing, then you just have to know how to act and be capable of changing expression and act following a certain story. 4. What have been your favourite experiences modelling so far? 4. Last year I did a shooting in Milan. The crew rented a big mansion for the weekend just outside the centre as they were also shooting a video clip there. Meanwhile the photographer and I were doing a shoot for an interview with the Dutch FHM Magazine. I enjoyed this shoot a lot because of the company and location, but in general I think beach and nature shoots will always be my favourite. I love shooting in Ibiza because of the beautiful locations there. In the end the most important thing for me is that there is a good connection between the photographer and I. When the vibe is good, I will feel more comfortable and it will allow me to be more creative. 5. Are there any designers that you really like to wear? How would you describe your style? 5. If I had to describe my style in one word, I would say: diverse. One day I am sporty or casual, the next more feminine and classy. One day dark, the next more colourful. My closet has everything from jeans to leggings to dresses to skirts. I tend to pick my outfits based on my mood and the occasion. For my daily activities I usually wear jeans and sneakers, but when I go somewhere for dinner or have another occasion, I prefer wearing dresses and heels. Although I do have some designer clothes, I personally don’t really focus on the brand when buying clothes. I usually just buy what I like. I do love to add some jewellery to my outfits as I feel like it always finishes up any type of look. In the end, when it comes to fashion and style, I think we should all wear what we feel most comfortable in, whatever that outfit may be. 6. What do you like to do when you’re not modelling in your off time? 6. Besides modelling and horse riding, I am a dancer. Living near Amsterdam right now it’s what is keeping me busy most of my days. I fell in love with the salsa, bachata and kizomba dancing scene during my time in Spain and I have been dancing intensively since then. I don’t think there are days on which I don’t dance. The dance scene is one of the reasons I fell in love with Spain, and what gave me so many great friendships over the past years. I also enjoy travelling a lot. I hope to plan some trips to Dubai and some countries in South America soon which have been on my list for a long time. I think travelling is a great way for everyone to grow as a person, meet people from different cultures and learn about their ways of living and thinking. Living abroad has made me a very open minded person and taught me so many valuable things. There are so many things that I enjoy though. I love just spending time at home with my family and friends, going to the gym, reading, hanging out in the parks in Amsterdam in the summer or just watching movies. 7. Between modelling and Arabian horses…Tell us when you first met an Arabian horse and how you felt about it. 7. When I was 10 years old, I met Mrs. Talitha Bakker from Arabian Stud Europe in Harderwijk. My mom brought me to her stables and Talitha immediately told me I was welcome to come help her in the weekends and after school when I had time. I didn’t have much experience yet with handling horses but that came soon enough. Regardless my young age and experience, she included me in everything. She let me handle her mares with foals, stallions, the easy ones and the difficult ones. I soon became fearless in handling horses, breaking them under saddle, and all that comes with it. We have had really great moments during those years, together with the other girls that came there. So many amazing horses, and so many I fell in love with, but most of all so many good memories. Now that we both moved - she moved to the east of the country and I moved to the west of the country - I don’t come there as often anymore, but whenever I have some time off or when she needs help I try to come and stay over for a few days. I love spending time there and being around her horses and dogs as it brings me so much inner peace! 8. Do you own Arabian horses yourself? What kind of relationship do you have with horses? 8. Unfortunately, I haven’t owned any horses of myself yet, mostly because I don’t have the time. I’m still moving around a lot and have been very busy with my studies and work. Since the beginning of my time at Arabian Stud Europe I haven’t handled or ridden any horses other than Arabian horses though. I love their character, looks, and versatility. They are such loyal and intelligent horses. They have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart. I don’t know when, but I’m sure that one day when I’m settled down I’ll buy my own Arabian horse. 9. Have you ever been to Arabian horses beauty competitions? If so, tell us which International Arabian Horses Show is your favourite one (Dubai, Menton, Aachen, Paris etc...) 9. I used to go to many shows but in the past 3-4 years I haven’t attended many because I was abroad a lot. Aachen has probably been the most memorable one for me. I always enjoyed the atmosphere there and the quality of the horses. A lot of my friends go there too, so it’s always fun to be there, see the horses, and catch up with friends. I also really like the show in Paris. I love the city and going there in winter just before Christmas always has something special! I haven’t been to Menton yet, but always wanted to go. I believe I planned going there already 3 times, but always had to cancel as it usually was the weekend before my exams at University – study duties! Maybe next year now when I will be finally graduated. “The world needs less judgement and more love” 10. Lastly, what’s something you want less of in your life? What about more of….? 10. This year has been a different and crazy year for everyone. To me personally, 2020 has been all about reflecting, learning, and appreciating the little things in life. We have all been so limited this year, but, in return, I got to reflect and change some habits. I have learned to appreciate the little things more, got to spend more time with my friends and family, and I am trying to surround myself with positive people only. There isn’t something I necessarily want more or less of in my life. I am lucky to have a very loving family, amazing friends, and be healthy. I hope that once the current situation has passed, I will be able to travel more again. But, most of all, I hope that in general the world becomes more positive, compassionate, and accepting of each other because the world needs less judgement and more love.
Shelly Denise
Harderwijk the Netherlands
WRITTEN BY: SONIA SMALDONE
“Arabian horses have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart” …
1.Who is Shelly Denise? Please tell us about yourself, where you are from and your family. 1. I was born in Harderwijk, a small city in the Netherlands. I grew up there with my family until I graduated from high school, after which I moved to Amsterdam for my Business Studies (BBA). My mother is Dutch and my father is from Surinam, but most of my family live in the Netherlands. I have always adored animals of any kind. I’ve had pets from young age and when I was 7 years old I started horse riding. I was lucky that I grew up in an area near the forest and with many horse stables around. People love horse riding in the Netherlands so there are many places to do so. Once I started studying, I unfortunately didn’t have much time anymore because I moved to Spain for a part of my studies and it was really difficult to find a place there to go riding. However, my passion and love for horses will never end… I am currently living near Amsterdam, but I don’t think I will stay here forever. During my time abroad in Spain, I fell in love with Madrid and its culture. It’s such a different lifestyle there. I really like the Netherlands for their convenience, but when it comes to culture, nature, history, food, and people, I much prefer Spain. I try not to plan too much ahead as I tend to change my mind regularly, but I definitely wouldn’t mind moving back to Spain at some point. 2. How and when were you discovered as a model? Did you always want to pursue modelling? 2. I grew up watching TV shows like “ANTM”, and it inspired me from young age to try new looks and practice my posing in photos. I have always loved models such as Adriana Lima and Monica Bellucci, and they have always have been an inspiration to me. However, I didn’t want to pursue a professional career at an agency because I didn’t always agree with the industry standards as they used to be. But, when social media platforms such as Instagram became bigger, I got in contact with some photographers and decided to start doing collaboration shoots as a hobby. One thing led to another and soon I received more and more requests for photoshoots. I love doing collaboration shoots as it is a great way to push your creativity. Different photographers have different styles and it’s nice to style a shoot together and try out different things together. I’m so happy to see how the modelling and fashion industry is changing now though. It is finally becoming more diverse and inclusive and I hope it continues to develop this way for both men and women in the industry. I recently graduated and I was approached by an agency again, so I decided to also start doing it more professionally for the next years. 3. If you had to say–what three things make a great model? 3. Great part of modelling is about ‘look’, but I think what really makes a model stand out is the attitude and character. I feel like it’s so important to be kind and positive, as a positive character will always make the mood on set much better and, therefore, make the photoshoot much more fun – both for yourself and the photographer and crew. Confidence also plays a big role in this. It is totally normal to feel nervous, especially in the beginning or during important shoots. Once you start doing more photoshoots and as your career as a model progresses, new experiences will definitely make you feel more confident naturally as you start getting the flow of it. I believe being versatile is also important, as you need to be able to interpret different roles according to the job or photographer’s needs. Sometimes, you have to do something you’re really not used to doing, then you just have to know how to act and be capable of changing expression and act following a certain story. 4. What have been your favourite experiences modelling so far? 4. Last year I did a shooting in Milan. The crew rented a big mansion for the weekend just outside the centre as they were also shooting a video clip there. Meanwhile the photographer and I were doing a shoot for an interview with the Dutch FHM Magazine. I enjoyed this shoot a lot because of the company and location, but in general I think beach and nature shoots will always be my favourite. I love shooting in Ibiza because of the beautiful locations there. In the end the most important thing for me is that there is a good connection between the photographer and I. When the vibe is good, I will feel more comfortable and it will allow me to be more creative. 5. Are there any designers that you really like to wear? How would you describe your style? 5. If I had to describe my style in one word, I would say: diverse. One day I am sporty or casual, the next more feminine and classy. One day dark, the next more colourful. My closet has everything from jeans to leggings to dresses to skirts. I tend to pick my outfits based on my mood and the occasion. For my daily activities I usually wear jeans and sneakers, but when I go somewhere for dinner or have another occasion, I prefer wearing dresses and heels. Although I do have some designer clothes, I personally don’t really focus on the brand when buying clothes. I usually just buy what I like. I do love to add some jewellery to my outfits as I feel like it always finishes up any type of look. In the end, when it comes to fashion and style, I think we should all wear what we feel most comfortable in, whatever that outfit may be. 6. What do you like to do when you’re not modelling in your off time? 6. Besides modelling and horse riding, I am a dancer. Living near Amsterdam right now it’s what is keeping me busy most of my days. I fell in love with the salsa, bachata and kizomba dancing scene during my time in Spain and I have been dancing intensively since then. I don’t think there are days on which I don’t dance. The dance scene is one of the reasons I fell in love with Spain, and what gave me so many great friendships over the past years. I also enjoy travelling a lot. I hope to plan some trips to Dubai and some countries in South America soon which have been on my list for a long time. I think travelling is a great way for everyone to grow as a person, meet people from different cultures and learn about their ways of living and thinking. Living abroad has made me a very open minded person and taught me so many valuable things. There are so many things that I enjoy though. I love just spending time at home with my family and friends, going to the gym, reading, hanging out in the parks in Amsterdam in the summer or just watching movies. 7. Between modelling and Arabian horses…Tell us when you first met an Arabian horse and how you felt about it. 7. When I was 10 years old, I met Mrs. Talitha Bakker from Arabian Stud Europe in Harderwijk. My mom brought me to her stables and Talitha immediately told me I was welcome to come help her in the weekends and after school when I had time. I didn’t have much experience yet with handling horses but that came soon enough. Regardless my young age and experience, she included me in everything. She let me handle her mares with foals, stallions, the easy ones and the difficult ones. I soon became fearless in handling horses, breaking them under saddle, and all that comes with it. We have had really great moments during those years, together with the other girls that came there. So many amazing horses, and so many I fell in love with, but most of all so many good memories. Now that we both moved - she moved to the east of the country and I moved to the west of the country - I don’t come there as often anymore, but whenever I have some time off or when she needs help I try to come and stay over for a few days. I love spending time there and being around her horses and dogs as it brings me so much inner peace! 8. Do you own Arabian horses yourself? What kind of relationship do you have with horses? 8. Unfortunately, I haven’t owned any horses of myself yet, mostly because I don’t have the time. I’m still moving around a lot and have been very busy with my studies and work. Since the beginning of my time at Arabian Stud Europe I haven’t handled or ridden any horses other than Arabian horses though. I love their character, looks, and versatility. They are such loyal and intelligent horses. They have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart. I don’t know when, but I’m sure that one day when I’m settled down I’ll buy my own Arabian horse. 9. Have you ever been to Arabian horses beauty competitions? If so, tell us which International Arabian Horses Show is your favourite one (Dubai, Menton, Aachen, Paris etc...) 9. I used to go to many shows but in the past 3-4 years I haven’t attended many because I was abroad a lot. Aachen has probably been the most memorable one for me. I always enjoyed the atmosphere there and the quality of the horses. A lot of my friends go there too, so it’s always fun to be there, see the horses, and catch up with friends. I also really like the show in Paris. I love the city and going there in winter just before Christmas always has something special! I haven’t been to Menton yet, but always wanted to go. I believe I planned going there already 3 times, but always had to cancel as it usually was the weekend before my exams at University – study duties! Maybe next year now when I will be finally graduated. “The world needs less judgement and more love” 10. Lastly, what’s something you want less of in your life? What about more of….? 10. This year has been a different and crazy year for everyone. To me personally, 2020 has been all about reflecting, learning, and appreciating the little things in life. We have all been so limited this year, but, in return, I got to reflect and change some habits. I have learned to appreciate the little things more, got to spend more time with my friends and family, and I am trying to surround myself with positive people only. There isn’t something I necessarily want more or less of in my life. I am lucky to have a very loving family, amazing friends, and be healthy. I hope that once the current situation has passed, I will be able to travel more again. But, most of all, I hope that in general the world becomes more positive, compassionate, and accepting of each other because the world needs less judgement and more love.
1.Who is Shelly Denise? Please tell us about yourself, where you are from and your family. 1. I was born in Harderwijk, a small city in the Netherlands. I grew up there with my family until I graduated from high school, after which I moved to Amsterdam for my Business Studies (BBA). My mother is Dutch and my father is from Surinam, but most of my family live in the Netherlands. I have always adored animals of any kind. I’ve had pets from young age and when I was 7 years old I started horse riding. I was lucky that I grew up in an area near the forest and with many horse stables around. People love horse riding in the Netherlands so there are many places to do so. Once I started studying, I unfortunately didn’t have much time anymore because I moved to Spain for a part of my studies and it was really difficult to find a place there to go riding. However, my passion and love for horses will never end… I am currently living near Amsterdam, but I don’t think I will stay here forever. During my time abroad in Spain, I fell in love with Madrid and its culture. It’s such a different lifestyle there. I really like the Netherlands for their convenience, but when it comes to culture, nature, history, food, and people, I much prefer Spain. I try not to plan too much ahead as I tend to change my mind regularly, but I definitely wouldn’t mind moving back to Spain at some point. 2. How and when were you discovered as a model? Did you always want to pursue modelling? 2. I grew up watching TV shows like “ANTM”, and it inspired me from young age to try new looks and practice my posing in photos. I have always loved models such as Adriana Lima and Monica Bellucci, and they have always have been an inspiration to me. However, I didn’t want to pursue a professional career at an agency because I didn’t always agree with the industry standards as they used to be. But, when social media platforms such as Instagram became bigger, I got in contact with some photographers and decided to start doing collaboration shoots as a hobby. One thing led to another and soon I received more and more requests for photoshoots. I love doing collaboration shoots as it is a great way to push your creativity. Different photographers have different styles and it’s nice to style a shoot together and try out different things together. I’m so happy to see how the modelling and fashion industry is changing now though. It is finally becoming more diverse and inclusive and I hope it continues to develop this way for both men and women in the industry. I recently graduated and I was approached by an agency again, so I decided to also start doing it more professionally for the next years. 3. If you had to say–what three things make a great model? 3. Great part of modelling is about ‘look’, but I think what really makes a model stand out is the attitude and character. I feel like it’s so important to be kind and positive, as a positive character will always make the mood on set much better and, therefore, make the photoshoot much more fun – both for yourself and the photographer and crew. Confidence also plays a big role in this. It is totally normal to feel nervous, especially in the beginning or during important shoots. Once you start doing more photoshoots and as your career as a model progresses, new experiences will definitely make you feel more confident naturally as you start getting the flow of it. I believe being versatile is also important, as you need to be able to interpret different roles according to the job or photographer’s needs. Sometimes, you have to do something you’re really not used to doing, then you just have to know how to act and be capable of changing expression and act following a certain story. 4. What have been your favourite experiences modelling so far? 4. Last year I did a shooting in Milan. The crew rented a big mansion for the weekend just outside the centre as they were also shooting a video clip there. Meanwhile the photographer and I were doing a shoot for an interview with the Dutch FHM Magazine. I enjoyed this shoot a lot because of the company and location, but in general I think beach and nature shoots will always be my favourite. I love shooting in Ibiza because of the beautiful locations there. In the end the most important thing for me is that there is a good connection between the photographer and I. When the vibe is good, I will feel more comfortable and it will allow me to be more creative. 5. Are there any designers that you really like to wear? How would you describe your style? 5. If I had to describe my style in one word, I would say: diverse. One day I am sporty or casual, the next more feminine and classy. One day dark, the next more colourful. My closet has everything from jeans to leggings to dresses to skirts. I tend to pick my outfits based on my mood and the occasion. For my daily activities I usually wear jeans and sneakers, but when I go somewhere for dinner or have another occasion, I prefer wearing dresses and heels. Although I do have some designer clothes, I personally don’t really focus on the brand when buying clothes. I usually just buy what I like. I do love to add some jewellery to my outfits as I feel like it always finishes up any type of look. In the end, when it comes to fashion and style, I think we should all wear what we feel most comfortable in, whatever that outfit may be. 6. What do you like to do when you’re not modelling in your off time? 6. Besides modelling and horse riding, I am a dancer. Living near Amsterdam right now it’s what is keeping me busy most of my days. I fell in love with the salsa, bachata and kizomba dancing scene during my time in Spain and I have been dancing intensively since then. I don’t think there are days on which I don’t dance. The dance scene is one of the reasons I fell in love with Spain, and what gave me so many great friendships over the past years. I also enjoy travelling a lot. I hope to plan some trips to Dubai and some countries in South America soon which have been on my list for a long time. I think travelling is a great way for everyone to grow as a person, meet people from different cultures and learn about their ways of living and thinking. Living abroad has made me a very open minded person and taught me so many valuable things. There are so many things that I enjoy though. I love just spending time at home with my family and friends, going to the gym, reading, hanging out in the parks in Amsterdam in the summer or just watching movies. 7. Between modelling and Arabian horses…Tell us when you first met an Arabian horse and how you felt about it. 7. When I was 10 years old, I met Mrs. Talitha Bakker from Arabian Stud Europe in Harderwijk. My mom brought me to her stables and Talitha immediately told me I was welcome to come help her in the weekends and after school when I had time. I didn’t have much experience yet with handling horses but that came soon enough. Regardless my young age and experience, she included me in everything. She let me handle her mares with foals, stallions, the easy ones and the difficult ones. I soon became fearless in handling horses, breaking them under saddle, and all that comes with it. We have had really great moments during those years, together with the other girls that came there. So many amazing horses, and so many I fell in love with, but most of all so many good memories. Now that we both moved - she moved to the east of the country and I moved to the west of the country - I don’t come there as often anymore, but whenever I have some time off or when she needs help I try to come and stay over for a few days. I love spending time there and being around her horses and dogs as it brings me so much inner peace! 8. Do you own Arabian horses yourself? What kind of relationship do you have with horses? 8. Unfortunately, I haven’t owned any horses of myself yet, mostly because I don’t have the time. I’m still moving around a lot and have been very busy with my studies and work. Since the beginning of my time at Arabian Stud Europe I haven’t handled or ridden any horses other than Arabian horses though. I love their character, looks, and versatility. They are such loyal and intelligent horses. They have a personality that is undeniable and an expression you can’t ignore, and with that they really stole my heart. I don’t know when, but I’m sure that one day when I’m settled down I’ll buy my own Arabian horse. 9. Have you ever been to Arabian horses beauty competitions? If so, tell us which International Arabian Horses Show is your favourite one (Dubai, Menton, Aachen, Paris etc...) 9. I used to go to many shows but in the past 3-4 years I haven’t attended many because I was abroad a lot. Aachen has probably been the most memorable one for me. I always enjoyed the atmosphere there and the quality of the horses. A lot of my friends go there too, so it’s always fun to be there, see the horses, and catch up with friends. I also really like the show in Paris. I love the city and going there in winter just before Christmas always has something special! I haven’t been to Menton yet, but always wanted to go. I believe I planned going there already 3 times, but always had to cancel as it usually was the weekend before my exams at University – study duties! Maybe next year now when I will be finally graduated. “The world needs less judgement and more love” 10. Lastly, what’s something you want less of in your life? What about more of….? 10. This year has been a different and crazy year for everyone. To me personally, 2020 has been all about reflecting, learning, and appreciating the little things in life. We have all been so limited this year, but, in return, I got to reflect and change some habits. I have learned to appreciate the little things more, got to spend more time with my friends and family, and I am trying to surround myself with positive people only. There isn’t something I necessarily want more or less of in my life. I am lucky to have a very loving family, amazing friends, and be healthy. I hope that once the current situation has passed, I will be able to travel more again. But, most of all, I hope that in general the world becomes more positive, compassionate, and accepting of each other because the world needs less judgement and more love.
