interview

Name:
My name is Mari Bailey

Agency:
My mother agency is Silent (Paris). I’m also at Select Model Management (London) and HEROES Model Management (New York).

Age:
I’m 18 years old.

Height:
I’m 1,81m (5’11”)

Instagram:
@gigantiq

Place of Origin:
I’m from the South of France, right next to Marseille.

Ethnic Origin:
My mom is French and my dad is from Rwanda.

Birthsign:
I’m a Sagittarius! December baby.

How discovered:
I was scouted back home at the mall when I was 16. It wasn’t my first time being scouted but it was the time I decided to really give modeling a try.

What was your first modeling job?
It was a showroom for Céline. I was a bit nervous before goig but everything went well and I ended up walking the actual show last September for my first season in Paris.

Favorite things:
Lying in the grass, wearing sweatpants, Nicki Minaj’s verse in Monster, and last but not least: mac and cheese.

What are you listening to at the moment?
Been playing Mura Masa’s last album on repeat, Gorillaz too and I like Lil Uzi’s album that just came out. Always a bit of French rap too! Been listening to Niska at the gym, he’s great for when you’re mad.

Favorite movie, tv show:
Favorite movie that I saw recently was the Handmaiden, love me some lesbian plot twists. As for a TV Show I could always rewatch and have a good time with I’d say Arrested Development. But right now I’m watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, it’s hilarious.

Favorite designer, fragrance or beauty product:
My favorite designer is probably Grace Wales Bonner. Favorite beauty product I’d say Avène face wash since I never wear makeup, really good for sensitive skin!

What were you doing before modeling?
I was in high school, chilling and not spending a lot of time in said high school.

What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling?
I always wanted to work with small kids/babies so I think I will do something in that field when I’m done with modeling. Still figuring that out.

What’s something uncool that you love anyway?
Video games, like, competitive gaming. I used to play video games a lot a few years ago, about 8 hours a day and more when I didn’t have school. It was driving my mom crazy. I don’t know if this is even considered uncool anymore though since E-sport became so lucrative. Gamers are out here making that money now!! Should’ve looked into that field back when I was 14, damn. At least I learned English thanks to it.

Favorite modeling experience so far?
Shooting for Elle UK/H&M in Malaysia in February. I was there for almost a week. I had never even imagined I would go so far one day so I was glad to have the opportunity. It was very hot and beautiful, and everyone in the team was very sweet, the same for the people in the country! The hotel had an unlimited refill of wine from 5 AM to 1AMeveryday by the pool, I feel like I have to mention that because it was definitely fun too.

What’s the best thing about your hometown/country?
Best thing would probably have to be the weather and landscape in the South of France, I miss the sun a lot when I stay too long in Paris or London!

Which brand would you really love to model for?
I would love to shoot with Ethan James Green, I love his work in general and thought his campaign for Helmut Lang looked really cool.

Place you would love to visit:
I will go to Rwanda because I’ve never been and I would love to see what my country of origin is like. My dad had to escape during the genocide, I never got to learn much about it from him. I just know what I read in books and searched for on the internet but it would never replace actually going there! On a lighter note, I’d love to go to Brazil, apparently, there are beautiful women there, definitely a lot of sun and nice beaches, which is all you need to have a nice holiday.

Currently you’re obsessed with/about:
Currently in New York and obsessed with the Food Network, the only reason for me to even be watching TV. Even more obsessed with Guy Fieri, a real American icon I could watch for hours.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Always throw the first punch.