Photographer Camilla e Riccardo Studio – Fashion Editor Matteo Greco – Model Joanne Zijlstra at Fabbrica Milano Management – Makeup by Andrea Severino Sailis at Blend Management – Hair by Davide Perfetti at Blend Management – Casting Director Isadora Banaudi – Fashion Assistant Melania Musci and Eleonora Marinelli – Interview by Melania Musci // Total Look N°21 – Shoes Marni // Coat Giuseppe Di Morabito – Body ETRO // Jacket Marni
Jacket MSGM – Dress Aniye Records – Jeans COS // Coat Giuseppe Di Morabito – Body Etro – Trousers Fabiana Filippi
Dream or Destiny: Joanna, have you always dreamt of becoming a model, or did it just happen?
When I was younger, I was in front of themodelling lot since my dad’s a photographer. However, I never really thought about pursuing a career in modelling until I got scouted when I was 14. I wanted to give it a shot and see where it’d go, and here I am five years later still working as a model. I never would’ve thought this would happen, but I’m very grateful that I took this opportunity.
Can you recall a significant moment that solidified your decision to pursue a modelling career?
In my second season, I walked my fourth show for Issey Miyake, and I loved it so much. I started to feel more comfortable with the jobs I had and the lifestyle of a model. Besides that, I started making more friends during that season, which made me enjoy it even more. That’s when I started seeing my future in modelling.
Is there a particular photographer or designer who’s influenced your personal style and vision of fashion?
One of my favourite brands is definitely Celine. This brand influences my style, because I love that their looks often include denim and show strength and confidence. I personally feel the most confident in cool denim or boyish clothes. To make the look complete, I put sunglasses on, like Celine.
Total Look Gucci // Cardigan N°21 – Skirt DKNY – Bra Gucci
Constantly looking at yourself in various outfits must offer a unique perspective. Has this self-examination influenced your self-perception or facilitated personal growth?
Seeing yourself again and again in hundreds of pictures and looks certainly does something to your self-perception. Gradually you become more aware of your appearance and even get more focused on it. I learnt that it’s very important for your own health not to put the focus on your looks too much and stay focused on the inside.
On your Instagram profile, you have story highlights that show your travels. Is there a destination you’ve visited that particularly resonates with you? If so, why?
The most fascinating destination i’ve ever been to is definitely Indonesia, because of the beautiful nature, volcanoes, culture and cities. I’ve travelled around the islands of Java, Bali and Gili Air. As someone from the Netherlands, it’s a real culture shock when you first get there. I think it’s very important for your personal growth to travel to places that are not in your comfort zone.
Do you dream of continuing your modelling career, or do you have other plans for your future?
My perfect future would be to pursue modelling in combination with music. I’ve been composing and producing music for a couple of years now as a hobby, but I’d love to put music out and make this into a career. Over the past months, I’ve been making a lot of new piano compositions, which is a nice intellectual focus to have besides modelling. This is how I’d picture my future career right now, however I’m aware of how paths can always change.
Jacket Marni – Bra Gucci // Fur Durazzi – Shirt MSGM – Trousers Aniye By
What aspect of the fashion industry fascinates you the most?
When I started working in the fashion industry, I was intrigued by how fast I stepped into a bubble I didn’t know that existed. You get into the fashion industry knowing not much about it, but then it becomes your whole reality. It really fascinates me that it can feel like your whole world, which is different from most other jobs.
Instead, If given the opportunity, what aspect of the fashion industry would you like to see transformed, and why?
I’d love to see more use of recycled fabrics and environment-friendly clothing. The fashion industry is still one of the most polluting industries existing, which I think could be way different. This is also why I’m a big fan of Stella McCartney, since it shows how fashion could be both beautiful and sustainable.
What’s been the biggest challenge so far in your modelling career? How did you overcome it?
Friends and family often ask me things like: ‘When do you come home? What’s your plan for next year? Which shows are you walking?’, and my answer is almost always: ‘I don’t know’ . As a model, you have to accept not knowing what’s in your diary for the next month or even the next day, which can be a big challenge in the beginning. You have very little control on your own plans, but after a while I got used to this and it taught me not to stress out when things don’t go as planned.
Sweater Jacob Cohën – Suit Blumarine – Bra Gucci