Katrin ThormannI'm pleased to present an exclusive interview with top model Katrin Thormann. With two consecutive covers for Vogue Italia and campaigns for Mulberry and Prada, Katrin's spectacular harmonic blend of beauty, elegance and style will surely elevate her career into new and exciting heights.Author: Jonathan.L - owner Models Observer December 2009 | |
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1. Katrin, how are you?
Katrin Thormann: I am very good, thanks (smiles) I just came back to NY 10 days ago and it has been very exciting. I have met my friends here again and me and my flatmate have been looking for a new apartment. 2. Please tell me about yourself, who is Katrin? Katrin Thormann: Katrin is a young girl from the Baltic Sea Cost of Germany... when you first meet her, she can seem a bit shy and reserved, but after a while you will see that behind that silent surface, there is a happy and friendly girl. She likes playing the guitar and does lots of sports with her friends. But she is also the kind of girl who likes spending lots of time with her family, playing with the newborn little brother or hanging out with her sisters. 3. What was it like growing up in Kiel, Germany? Katrin Thormann: Actually I grew up in the countryside close to Kiel. It was a little village surrounded by cornfields and meadows where cattle would graze... my best friend was living in the same street (there was basically only one street). We had so much fun running around in the forests... going to the farmer to get milk for the chocolate pudding we were going to eat in the evening... annoying our older brothers and sisters... canoeing on the river! It was a fantastic time. |
 Katrin Thormann, December 2008 Italian Vogue cover, ph: Steven Meisel. Mother agency: seeDS Management Berlin, Germany. |
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4. How did you start modeling?
Katrin Thormann: I was visiting my aunt in Berlin and suddenly, somewhere on the "Alexanderplatz", a young woman (it turned out , she was a booker from seeds.management) asked me some questions about my hight, my shoesize, my age... first I was confused but after some days I called the agency where she came from fixing an appointment introducing myself to them. 5. What was your move from anonymity to international stardom like? Describe a moment when you experienced cultural shock. Katrin Thormann: I think the cover shot with Mariano Vivanco for Dazed and Confused was the very moment which you could describe as an "international breakthrough", or better the "getting noticed on the international level" - on the other hand, I have to say, that I really didn't feel like being an international star at all. I am just doing my job like lots of other models do. When finding out that I would be on the cover of Vogue Italia shot by Steven Meisel and German Vogue shot by Solve Sundsbo, was that the moment of realizing - I was really going to have a so called solid "modelcareer". I was really shocked. Everything went so fast, suddenly I had an apartment in NY with two new friends and I started travelling so much... 6. Which family member has made the biggest impression on your life, and why? Katrin Thormann: I think it is my father. There is not a lot to say, he is just there for me if I need him, he would help me with whatever my dream was but still tell me his true opinion of what I am doing. 7. Modeling is a challenging occupation because employment is irregular, the physical demands are great, and competition is fierce. Katrin Thormann: From your experience, what factors influence the success of a model? I am sure that it is not only the outer appearance. Of course as a model it is neccessary to be tall and slim and beautiful, but thats not all. You have to get a good relationship with your clients. You need to be open and friendly. And doing so, you have to be happy with yourself and enjoy the work you are doing. The pictures won't look great if the model feels uncomfortable. 8. What do you like most about modeling? What do you like least? Katrin Thormann: It is funny but the things that I like most are also the things that I cant stand sometimes. That sounds weird, but for example I love travelling and the excitement of not knowing where my next job will be. But then, on the other hand, I hate that it is kind of impossible making fix plans for my private life. Jobs are coming up so spontaeously, and it happens very often ending up to skip plans with my friends therefor. 9. What do you consider as the pinnacle of your career so far? What is the greatest personal moment you have experienced? Katrin Thormann: I guess, it was the Italian Vogue cover last winter which marks a highlight so far. It was kind of unreal spotting myself on the frontpage of that big fashion issue. I assume it is way too early for me telling about a "great personal moment" (winks) - I still need time getting to one of those points and being clear about that... 10. How would you define a successful photo shoot? Do you distinguish between different talents and skills of photographers? Katrin Thormann: Well, I am NOT the photographer, but from my point of view - a photoshoot is successful if there is a nice atmosphere, everybody is feeling fine with each others company and of course, when everyone is happy with the results. 11. What is it like working with Steven Meisel? Katrin Thormann: In the beginning I was so excited and extremly nervous. But then I saw, he is really smooth and calm workingwise and he takes care of the models well-being. And, as I got I got over with my nerviness, it was impressive to see how precise and focused he works. He has a picture in his mind of how he wants the photo to look and then he takes maybe 5 pictures until it is perfect. 12. What is the secret of your beauty? Katrin Thormann: I don't think I have a secret... I eat healthy, lots of fruit and vegetable and dark bread. I drink water and tea. And I try to do as much sports as possible. 13. According to a report in The Economist (May 22, 2003), Americans now spend more each year on beauty than they do on education. What is the source of our eagerness to be seen as more beautiful and our readiness to sacrifice for beauty? Katrin Thormann: I think everyone wants to look beautiful, it is in the nature of a human civilisation that you want to look attractive for your partner. But the eagerness of looking more and more beautiful and young is also encouraged by all the magazines that show flawless models. But what the people - who try to look like the models in the magazines - do not know, is that there is nobody who is truly perfect (there is also photoshop!!). And most of the time the people who dont look flawless are the more beautiful ones. 14. Francois Truffaut, who was a French director, said once: "In love, women are professionals, men are amateurs". What do you think? Katrin Thormann: I thought, he is just into SciFi stories (winks) and so I'd rather remember Monsieur Truffaut as the director of Fahrenheit 451 or taking part in" Close Encounters of the Third Kind" !!! 15. What are you passionate about? Katrin Thormann: There are a few things I really love doing, like playing guitar and other things I was already talking about in here..... but there are so many things worth to be explored - I can't really tell of a "sole and only single PASSION"... not by NOW at least. 16. What can you find in your wardrobe? How would you describe your style? Katrin Thormann: My wardrobe is kind of simple. I am really comfortable with wearing jeans , T-Shirt and sneakers. But I also really like getting dressed up for a nice party. Sometimes I get clothes from the designers after the shows. So I have some really beautiful dresses and high heels in my closet as well. Right now for the beginning of winter I love my black Rag&Bone boots!! 17. If you could invite three living persons to dinner on successive weeks, whom would you choose? Why? Katrin Thormann: Those questions with 3 things to choose or to wish are like dragon heads... you chop one off, from those three - and two are growing back... so many interesting people and so few wishes, why is it always three??? 18. If you weren't a model, what do you think you would be doing? Why? Katrin Thormann: Going to university - most likely - maybe in Berlin. And I think, I would like to study eastern european culture, history and language. I am not sure about the subject, but I would defenitely go to univeristy if I wouln't be modeling 19. What do you like to do for fun? Katrin Thormann: For fun I like to be with my siblings, maybe baking a cake or eating strawberrys topped with whipped cream lying on the lawn, hang out with my friends... 20. Do you have a dream? Katrin Thormann: I am dreaming every night... honestly, with whatever goals I will achive in whatever fields they might be in... after all and one time sooner or later - I will hafe a regular, enjoyable, stable and hopefully still interesting life (as everyone else in the world wants to have it... well, most likely too...). Going to University, studying something I am really interested in, finding my place in a profession what fills me out. I am sure it will come!!! | |