Who:
Angelika Wierzbicka — @angelikawierzbicka — Polish from Warsaw, Poland — born November 30th — 177 cm / 5’9.5″ — she/her.

Where:
Story Model Management (London), Model Plus (Warsaw – mother agency), Marilyn Agency (Paris)

— Did you always envision yourself pursuing a career in modeling, or did it come as a surprise? How did you first enter the world of modeling?
Modeling was never my dream. I saw an ad with info in a teen magazine, and I took part in the Elite Model Look contest in 1998 without any expectations and won it. I was 15. I signed with the best agency in the world back then, and my life changed instantly.

— What advice would you give to models who are considering entering the modeling industry later in life? Are there any key lessons or insights you wish you had known earlier in your career?
The most important thing is to do research about the agency you want to choose as your mother agency. You have to be able to trust and rely on your agent. No matter what, always believe in your potential and fight for your dreams.

— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I am a full-time model.
2. I’m a full-time mum of two super energetic kids.
3. I am 40 :)

Who:
Arianne Xiang — @ariannexiang — Surinamese from Paramaribo, Suriname — born December 7th — 175 cm / 5’9″ — she/her.

Where:
SYSTEM Agency (Geneva – mother agency), Mademoiselle Agency (Paris), Touché Women (Amsterdam)

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. Despite looking shy something magical happens when I’m on stage or in front of a camera. All my shyness melts away, and it feels like I’m the only person in the spotlight, fully embracing the moment.
2. I’ve lived on three different continents. China, Suriname, and I’ve been in the Netherlands for nearly four years now. Growing up in such diverse cultures has given me a rich, international perspective on life.
3. I can never sit still and do nothing. This constant move has allowed me to learn a variety of skills. I’m currently studying to become a UX/UI designer and front-end developer, and I also teach Chinese. Of course, alongside all this, I continue to model. My life is always bustling with activity.

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
People are often surprised when they try to guess my background. Many assume I’m from Asia, but I was actually born and raised in Suriname, a country in South America just above Brazil.

— Tell us about your hometown.
I consider both Shixixiang, Qingtian in China, and Commewijne in Suriname to be my hometowns. Shixixiang, Qingtian, China: The best thing about Shixixiang is its natural beauty, which is surrounded by mountains. As a child, I would often skip breakfast and climb the mountains to visit my great-grandparents. However, the education system there was extremely stressful. At four years old, I was already learning multiplication when all I wanted to do was play.
Commewijne, Suriname: The best thing about Commewijne is that it’s always summer. The sunny weather and green trees always lift my spirits. The food is also delicious. The downside is the safety compared to China. It’s not as secure, which is a constant concern.

Who:
Jesse Leppen — @jessepit42 — German from Muenster, Germany — born August 28th — 190 cm / 6’3″ — he/him.

Where:
Mega Model Agency (Hamburg – mother agency)

— How did you become a model?
I got told I should try my luck, applied at Mega, and here I am now.

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I skate.
2. I surf.
3. I make music.

— Tell us about your hometown.
My hometown is Muenster, Germany. It’s very beautiful, but I think it’s too small for me.

Who:
Karan Singh — @karankarki0 — Indian from Hydrabad, Telangana, India — born September 8th — 187 cm / 6’1.5″ — he/him.

Where:
Anon Models (Mumbai – mother agency)

— Share a bit about your background and upbringing.
I come from an army background, which has profoundly shaped my upbringing. Growing up, I was surrounded by a strong sense of discipline, duty, and resilience. The values of dedication and service were ingrained in me from an early age, thanks to the influence of family members who served in the military. This background taught me the importance of teamwork, adaptability, and perseverance, which have become integral to who I am today.

— Tell us about your hometown.
Uttarakhand, in northern India, is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places to live. The best part is definitely being surrounded by the most beautiful mountains, especially during winter. However, the remote terrain and developing infrastructure can make transportation and accessibility challenging.

— What is your biggest irrational fear?
My biggest irrational fear is being stuck in an elevator that suddenly plunges down multiple floors. The idea of freefall, the claustrophobic space, and the lack of control over the situation terrifies me.

Who:
Roberto Chafer — @rober_chafer — Spanish from Moixent, Spain — born December 11th — 178 cm / 5’10” — he/him.

Where:
Carmen Duran Agency (Valencia – mother agency), kin (Seoul)

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
Lately, I have been passionate about the design of fantastic characters from great movies, especially those from the 1980s and older ones. For example, I love The Gremlins, and I also love the design of some creatures from “The Neverending Story.” I love seeing original sketches and drawings of the entire process of their creation.

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I love playing the guitar, especially the electric guitar. I have been playing it for about 7 years now, so now I am able to make more perfected solos, and I have a great time when I am playing them.
2. Although I have very red hair, I am the only one in my entire family; in fact, no one has ever been even a little red; I don’t know where it comes from.
3. I like to go to abandoned places, especially houses because I have a great time and it is an adventure in the style of The Goonies; in fact, recently, on one of the excursions, we went to a place, but while going, we found another impressive abandoned mansion, and we were all amazed since we didn’t even know it existed.

— If you were to choose a song that symbolizes this current phase of your life, what would it be and why?
This answer is clear to me, “Never Gonna Give You Up” by Rick Astley is a song that if you hear its name, you probably don’t know it, but if you listen to it, you will quickly realize what it is. About three years ago, I heard it for the first time, and I didn’t pay much attention to it; it just seemed like just another song, but as time went by, I listened to it again, and I loved it, so much so that I played it every day.

Who:
Zara Wong — @_zarawong — Australian/Chinese from Sydney, Australia — born May 23rd — 172 cm / 5’8″ — she/her.

Where:
Chadwick Models (Sydney – mother agency)

— What’s a favorite book/movie/TV show, and why do you love it?
There are so many to choose from, but my favorite book is “Just Kids.” I love the raw honesty in Patti Smith’s narration, and her passion for the arts truly shines through. Her descriptions of art culture are incredibly inspiring, and they transport you back to that iconic era.

— How did you become a model?
I was approached at a coffee shop in Sydney while having lunch with my mum. I was supposed to be on an exchange program at the time, but those plans didn’t work out. I like to believe that everything happens for a reason.

— What is your biggest irrational fear?
Having a shark chase me while swimming in a pool…