Who:
Dimana Sarmenova — @dimana.sarmenova — Bulgarian from Sofia, Bulgaria — born January 30th — 180 cm / 5’11” — she/her.

Where:
Ivet Fashion (Sofia – mother agency), Muse Management (New York), Brave Model Management (Milan), M + P Models (London)

— How did you become a model?
For the longest time, my mom was telling me how terrible my posture was. So, while scrolling through Facebook, she found a school for models that Ivet Fashion hosts and did not hesitate to sign me up. At first, I despised it from day one. I wanted to give up, but my parents were the ones who told me to push through, and so I did. On the last day of the course, I was ready to leave and forget this ever happened, but surprisingly, they invited me to speak with them and offered me a contract. I was a bit skeptical at first and waited about two months before calling them back. When I finally convinced myself to call them back and sign the contract, I asked my mother, who came with me, if we could sign it for as little time as possible. Before I knew it, I had a three-year contract with my mother agency. I was really scared to go into it as my interests were very far from modeling, but with time, I fell in love with it and wanted to do it more and more. From there, my career started to grow slowly.

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I love coding and software development.
2. I used to dream to be a painter and I’m currently doing graphic design.
3. I started learning English after 5th grade and before that I used to study German in order for me to go to a boarding school in Vienna.

— The most interesting thing about your family:
My dad is a famous actor back home in Bulgaria, and he had a role with John Travolta and Robert De Niro in “Killing Season.” Most people recognize me mainly because of who my dad is rather than my modeling job, but I’m working towards beating him in the game of who gets recognized on the street.

Who:
Gabriel Ferzza — @gabrielferzza — Brazilian from Resende, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — born February 20th — 186 cm / 6’1″ — he/him.

Where:
40 Graus Models (Rio de Janeiro – mother agency)

— Tell us about your hometown.
I was born in Resende, a small city in Rio de Janeiro. The best thing about it is that everybody knows each other. The worst thing is that there are not so many options for culture and for modeling.

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I am very focused on the things I want. People are surprised by my willpower to achieve my dreams; they also notice the way I defend people when I see injustices.

— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
My family always encouraged me to get into modeling and acting. When I went shopping to buy clothes, I did a small catwalk show for them. And I always bring my friends to see my theatre plays and dancing presentations.

Who:
Jiacheng Li — @lmjj3029501745 — Chinese from Hangzhou, China — born January 9th — 185 cm / 6’1″ — he/him.

Where:
Mostar Models (Shanghai – mother agency)

— If you were to choose a song that symbolizes this current phase of your life, what would it be and why?
“Spread Your Wings” by Queen. As a model just starting out in the industry, even in the face of the unknowns of the future, it’s important to spread your wings boldly, be brave enough to overcome obstacles, and keep trying, just like this song describes.

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
My favorite book is “To Live” by Yu Hua. After reading this work, I have thought more about the meaning of life. It also made me understand that I have to try my best to live even if I am in a lot of trouble, and it constantly inspires me.

— How did you become a model?
I became a model after auditioning for an agency at school, whereas before university I had been a music student and an art student, and none of what I studied was related to modelling, and I never imagined that I would become a model one day.

Who:
Luciana Borges — @borgeslucy — Brazilian/Portuguese from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil — born April 16th — 178 cm / 5’10” — she/her.

Where:
Major Model Management (New York), Metropolitan / M Management / Makers (Paris), Next Milan, M + P Models (London), Prime Model Management (São Paulo)

— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I am 49 years old, and I have the same body shape as when I was 20.
2. I stopped modelling for 15 years and returned 4 years ago.
3. Gray hair, yoga teacher, natural life, natural body and face. Globetrotter.

— Tell us about your hometown.
I am from Rio de Janeiro, the most beautiful landscape in the world with a real town in between. Nature is amazing and very close to everyone. Unfortunately, poverty and because of the differences in social classes the violence is present

— What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
The morning meditation, yoga, beauty/health/soul care.

Who:
Otto Buettner — @ottobuettner – German from Munich, Germany — born April 26th — 191 cm / 6’3.5″ — he/him.

Where:
Tigers Management (Munich – mother agency)

— Can you tell us about your happiest childhood memory?
My happiest childhood memory is when I was in Malaysia with my parents and my sisters. We experienced lots of great things, such as swinging on lianas, swimming in clear blue water or seeing all kinds of animals. I still remember how happy I felt there.

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
My favorite TV show is How I Met Your Mother, because it gives me a lot of comfort whenever I’m feeling down or stressed. It is very funny but also serious and sad at times and I still have to laugh watching it, even though I have seen it nine times from start to finish.

— How did you become a model?
My friends always told me that I should start modeling, and I thought it would be amazing to be a model, yet I didn’t know where to start, so I was extremely happy when I got scouted over Instagram by my mother agency, TIGERSmgmt. Shortly after meeting with them, I signed the contract and can’t wait for what is to come.

Who:
Yumilka Rivera — @yyumilka — Dominican/American from The Bronx, New York, USA — born July 18th — 163 cm / 5’4″ — she/her.

Where:
No Agency New York, Michi Models (mother agency)

— Tell us about your hometown.
My hometown is The Bronx, New York. I’ve lived here my whole life, and it’s where I feel the safest. I spent a majority of my life wanting to leave, but once I left I realized that no other city could make me feel the way this one does.

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I try to write a poem a day, as it keeps my mind flowing. They tend to vary from mundane things like orange peels to how life makes me feel. I have many outlets of expressing myself, but writing just seems to speak to me.

— If money wasn’t an obstacle, what would you be doing with your life?
I would be in the Dominican Republic with all my family and friends, going to the beach every day. I would travel the world and document everything I love about each country. I would also get my law degree and still pursue my dream of owning a non-profit in my hometown. Besides my personal benefit, my dream is to help others lead better lives and aid them in legal counsel.