I find what she says pretty down-to-earth and inspiring.
Taken part of the article from the cover story of "The Edit - October 31 2013"
Simply enchanting. Sensitive yet sensational, the ethereal Guinevere Van Seenus talks to Natalie Rigg about why she took a step back from her stellar modeling career, her passion for magical stories and finding her own happy ending.
Now 36 years old, she has enjoyed almost two decades in the spotlight, notching up global advertising campaigns for fashion powerhouses, including Prada, Kenzo and Miu Miu as well as countless magazine covers. She is a long-term muse and confidante to the pioneering Italian photographer Paolo Roversi.
Did you always want to be a model?
"No, I had never considered myself to be model material. It was actually my mother who suggested that I give it a try and enrolled me in a runway school in Santa Barbara when I was 15. I didn't take it seriously at first and considered modeling to be a fun hobby, like basketball or volleyball."
When did you get your big break?
"I was sent to Los Angeles on a casting for David LaChapelle in 1995. It was extremely rare to get in front a photographer of that magnitude. At the time, I was used to getting rejected, because my own look was so far removed from the typical blonde, Californian girl that was the trend. But he liked me and we ended up doing the most beautiful, fairy-tale-inspired story for The Face magazine."
Who has been the strongest influence on your career?
My agent in Paris was the catalyst. She really understood my look and made sure I saw the right people. My early relationships with [photographers] Paolo Roversi and Steven Meisel were also key."
What is the most valuable piece of advice you have been given?
"There was a period in my career when I decided to take a break from modeling and Paolo showed me a level of support that went beyond the job. He pulled me aside to say, 'You must remember that we all love you because of who you are, not because of what you do." That meant a lot to me."
You took a two-year hiatus from modeling in 1996, why?
"I worked very heavily for a number of years and suddenly realized I couldn't handle it anymore. That level of intensity was hard because I'm not a natural performer. So I retreated, recuperated and tried to find normality again by reconnecting to the things I love, such as craftwork and jewelry making. After reaching a point where I felt that I could handle the pace again, I tiptoed back into the industry, choosing projects that really interested me."
What is your perception of your own beauty?
"I have reached a place where I feel at my most beautiful in front of a camera. I think I'm lucky in that my look is very versatile. People often say that I look completely different in all my photos, so it's nice to be able to transform in that way."
Your life motto?
"Progress, not perfection. I am pretty hard on myself, so I am trying to learn how to enjoy things and be lighter about life."
Labels: Interview, The Edit Interview
