interview

Name:
Hannah Shakespeare

Agency:
Select Model Management (London)

Age:
18

Height:
5’11”

Place of Origin:
East London, UK

Ethnic Origin:
Well, my mum’s family is from Grenada an and my dad’s family is from Jamaica, I’m all Caribbean girl! :)

Birthsign:
I’m an Aquarius #WaterBearer, haha

How discovered:
I did a few little modeling things when I was younger and it has always been an interest. However, I was scouted last year on Instagram.

Favorite things:
I enjoy dancing, ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary, commercial, etc… it’s really a big part of me and many of my friends are dancers too, it’s really fun. I really love fashion, since I was quite young actually. I’d put my own outfits together and always go shopping with my mum. I used to love going into this one kid’s designer shop as a treat and be in there looking at clothes for ages, then I’d beg my mum to get me something for my birthday or Christmas! :’) So from a young age I loved DKNY, Burberry, Kenzo, Dior, etc, but it wasn’t like I had a full designer wardrobe, just some special items. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to throw out this Ed Hardy bomber jacket I begged my mum to buy me when I was maybe about 11, omg! It’s not to everyone’s taste but I wore it so much and I still rock it now too, hahaa

Favorite music, band:
My music taste is so varied, I like so many genres! Lady Gaga is definitely an artist who’s really important to me; anyone I know knows that about me. I like old school R&B {Ashanti, TLC, Aaliyah, Ciara, Eve, Fugees, etc); I also like stuff from Stevie Nicks, Blondie, David Bowie, Madonna – throw in a few top 40 songs, bashment, reggae, soundtracks from musicals… haha, I sound crazy!!

Favorite movie, tv show:
I really like musicals but love watching the Harry Potter movies, I’ve seen them all way too many times. I watch a lot of TV shows online, I love Netflix so I’m usually watching Skins, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Gossip Girl or Orange Is The New Black.

Favorite designer, fragrance or beauty product:
I really look forward to designers like Ashish, KTZ, Nasir Mazhar. Burberry and Topshop too :) I love Lush products, they keep my skin looking and good. I always have my Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream on me, it’s definitely a fave!

What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling?
If I wasn’t a model right now I’d be at dance uni. I’ve pretty much known I would be a model or dancer, dance and musical theatre has been such a huge part of my life since I was a child, so I’m definitely going to keep it up. Maybe teach dance? Me and one of my closest friends have always had this thing that we’d end up opening a dance studio together which would be really cool.

What’s something uncool that you love anyway?
Hmmmm, I don’t know, I like baking and cooking. I don’t think a lot of people my age find that very riveting, hahaa

Favorite modeling experience so far?
The two shoots I did for Wonderland Magazine (Nov/Dec issue) were really great I had a good time shooting both of them and loved the styling. It felt like a positive start.

What’s the best thing about your hometown/country?
When I’m not in London I actually miss TFL!! Usually Londoners are always complaining about buses and the tube but when you leave you realize how easy we have it to get around a big city. Sometimes I miss the strange comfort of East London.. “the ends” [as its often called] are really cultured and there’s a lot going on, it’s cool to be on the edge of busy, busy London but also have Essex so close, which is nice.

Which brand would you really love to model for?
I’d love to walk for DKNY, Marc Jacobs, Moschino, Saint Laurent and many others to be honest! I think Nick Knight, David Sims, Inez and Vinoodh and Annie Leibovitz are some amazing photographers too.

Place you would love to visit:
New York!!! If I could have the chance to know cities even half as well as I know London it would be a dream so I’d love to start with New York.