Katalina
Who:
Katalina Candezano Arango, 177 cm / 5’9.5″, Spanish/Colombian, born May 15th.
Where:
NOTICED MODELS (Pieta – mother agency), Most Wanted Models (Munich)
— What are three interesting facts about you?
– I have had vitiligo since I was 7 years old
– I am obsessed with reading. I read all the time everywhere.
– I have never been on a plane.
— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
I am a feminist. I am passionate about supporting all minority groups: people fighting for their rights whether based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or disability.
— Your most embarrassing moment:
I do not have any moment which would stand out. But I am famous in my family for being clumsy and falling pretty often.
Alpha
Who:
Alpha Ndoye, 186 cm / 6’1″, Senegalese, born April 24th.
Where:
Vega Models (Milan – mother agency, IMG Paris (), IMG Milano ()
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
I love Cheikh Anta Diop, a writer from Senegal. I like his writing style so much. What I love about him is that he writes about us and helps us understand who we are and our value. It is really good for other people to read him to better understand African culture.
— Your most embarrassing moment:
My vitiligo appeared on my face some years ago and was really embarrassing for me. I used to always wear a hoodie and glasses when walking on the street or taking a bus because people always looked at me like I was strange or freaky and that hurt me so much. I couldn’t believe that the thing that made me cry so much is a strength today. I consider that like revenge.
— How and when did you become a model?
My beginning as a model is funny, as during the lockdown, here in Italy, in April 2020, my girlfriend sent my application to Vega Models, my mother agency. I couldn’t believe it when she told me I had been chosen to start my career.
Matilda
Who:
Matilda Venter, 180 cm / 5’11”, German, born December 18th.
Where:
DSM Management (Hamburg – mother agency), Kult London ()
— The best and worst aspects of your personality:
I asked my friends about that question and they told me I‘m always trying to help. If somebody feels pretty bad at a party I am the first one making sure they get better. I really care about the people around me. Sometimes I‘m doing almost too much for others. For example… I have sent homework multiple times to people I’m not even friends with.
— Among your friends and family, what are you famous for?
I live in a really small town where people know each other so they call me “the girl that is a model but also plays soccer”. I think they don’t get how these 2 things can work together but they do really well.
— How and when did you become a model?
I got scouted on Instagram when I was 14 years old and way too green so I waited till I was almost 16. Finally, at the end of 2019, I had my first big shooting for a magazine.
Cauan
Who:
Cauan, 183 cm / 6’0″, Brazilian, born January 4th.
Where:
An Models Mgmt (Brazil – mother agency)
— What are three interesting facts about you?
I love to dance, I can do crafts and I hate to stay at home doing nothing.
— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I can do tie-dye.
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
L7, I like their energy.
Zuzie
Who:
Zuzie Jenkins, 177 cm / 5’9.5″, American, born June 1st.
Where:
Wilhelmina (Chicago – mother agency)
— How and when did you become a model?
I love answering this question because the truth is so fun. I like to jokingly say that I broke into Wilhelmina Chicago. I didn’t necessarily, but they were closed and I showed up. I was 14/15 at the time and misread the open call dates. I ended up messing with the handle of the door until it opened, revealing my now beloved agent. It really flustered him, but I did manage to get a consultation the next day. At the time I was too young, but a month before my 16th birthday I got a message from him asking how I was doing and whether I’d be interested in working with them!
— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
TW//Transphobia-Racism: I am incredibly passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Black Trans Lives Matter movement. Too many beautiful trans women are stolen from us through horrific hate crimes. The United States needs to put protection in place for these women, not try and stop their existence. Often, many trans women are not allowed into all-female homeless shelters and are subjected to violence by being housed in an all-male shelter. I believe that transgender people should not be legally allowed to be fired because of their gender identity or expression.
— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I used to be able to ride a unicycle. I’m sure I still can, but I know that I’d probably hit my head a couple of times trying to get back into the swing of it. The biggest unicycle I ever rode had a wheel the height of 10-year-old me’s legs, and I would have to be lifted on by an instructor. Somehow, I still own my practice one. It sits in the back of my closet, plotting.
2. I have a puppetry apprenticeship at the Museum of Science and Industry. I sit behind a glass wall and learn how to craft and rig puppets. I’m currently working on a larger than life puppet from the old Russian folklore of “Baba Yaga”. It’s amazing to watch all of the little kids go by and be able to make a marionette wave at them and see their faces light up.
3. I am on the varsity sailing team at my school. I’ve been sailing since I was 7 or 8 and used to spend at least half my summer on the water. I love my team, and I’m so proud of all of our accomplishments. My position in the boat is called the “Crew”, meaning that I work with ropes and balancing the boat, while my partner steers.
Yura
Who:
Yura Nakano, 187 cm / 6’1.5″, Japanese, born May 2nd.
Where:
Bravo Models (Tokyo – mother agency), CREW Model Management (Milan), Milk Management (London)
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
Christopher Nolan. All his movies are my favorite. Can’t pick one!
— What would people be surprised to know about you?
– I can speak Japanese, English and Mandarin.
— Your most embarrassing moment?
I slipped at my first show in London…