BARBORA MARCONOVA: the interview

PONY RYDER presents EXCLUSIVE interview with fashion model BARBORA MARCONOVA.

Barbora Marconova was a finalist of Elite model Look 2007. In just one year after starting her career as a model she worked with photographer Mario Testino, and did 2 shows on the Paris fashion week. No wonder for such a great start of this 20 years old miraculous platinum blond, for she has the face and the presence of a model whose look never comes out of fashion, so she could stay in fashion business for ages. Future superstar indeed.
Barbora is with Elite Prague, Marilyn Paris, Elite Milan, Elite NY and Ave Singapore.

IMAGE COURTESY OF ELITE PRAGUE

PONY RYDER: When and how did you start modeling?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I started last winter by competition Elite model look.

PONY RYDER: What is the hardest thing for you as a young model?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Actually I feel pretty old between all the fifteen years old models. But maybe it is better to start later, I already know who I am and modeling is not going to change me. But it is still hard for me to travel alone, always get used to new places and new people, leave and start somewhere else again.

PONY RYDER: Did other agencies approach you after you signed with the agencies you're signed with now? How do you feel about changing agencies?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: No it never happened to me. I am happy with all my agencies so far, I am not planning to change anything.

PONY RYDER: What do you personally think, are you more commercial, more editorial?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I guess I’m more fashion type [editorials, catwalks]

PONY RYDER: You live in model apartments when you are abroad. What is that like?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Yes, I stay in models apartments and I like it mostly, it always depends on the group. From time to time, I miss privacy.

PONY RYDER: Have you ever had to make a decision whether to skip a season because of school or, personal reasons, and what was your decision? How would you deal with that today?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I’m still trying to figure everything out. I still have to consider if it`s the best decision to do modeling right now. But I definitely want to finish the university so I might have to take a break from modeling. It’s really hard to decide, I would love to do both.

PONY RYDER: Do you go to college/school?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I study economics and management at university in Prague, but I’m kind of on a break now.

PONY RYDER: What is the best thing about modeling except meeting new people and traveling?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Learning about other cultures, about yourself, to be independent, how to treat other people, learning languages…

PONY RYDER: You walked for Issey Miyake and Sharon Wauchob. How was it?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I really liked the atmosphere. Sharon was very nice to me, she knew it was my first season so she wanted to be sure that I felt good. And I totally did.

PONY RYDER: How was the atmosphere backstage? Are models competitive among themselves, or opposite?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Yeah, it’s crazy, hasty… but girls usually know each other, from castings and other jobs so the atmosphere is friendly.

PONY RYDER: Is there an adrenalin rush when you are doing runway?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Of course there is a bit of adrenaline, but I am not stressed or anything. In these cases I’m pretty composed.

PONY RYDER: Who taught you how to walk on the runway?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I learned it before the competition Elite model look, which I started with. We had a `training` camp for a few days.

PONY RYDER: What is your X factor?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I think the blond hair, I like my lashes the most, but it’s not so noticeable for the others.

PONY RYDER: How do you maintain your skin? What is your beauty routine?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I ALWAYS clean my face, I never go to bed with make-up on.

PONY RYDER: Do you use under eyes cream?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I do.

PONY RYDER: What facial cream do you use?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I haven’t found the best one yet, so I keep trying different brands. But I love NIVEA cream [in the typical blue galipot :] I have it all the time with me. My friends already make fun of me.

PONY RYDER: Do you do peeling?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: No I don’t. I have very sensitive skin and I don’t have good experiences with it.

PONY RYDER: What hair products do you use?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I use Bad Head – Dumb blonde, and I like L’Oreal professional too.

PONY RYDER: Your sun block factor is...
BARBORA MARCONOVA: …better higher

PONY RYDER: Do you use liquid foundation? What brand?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Clinique

PONY RYDER: Do you have a make up trick? What is inside your make up bag?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Bronzer, lip gloss and Nivea cream. It is a base.

PONY RYDER: Beauty advice?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Be happy with yourself.

PONY RYDER: How do you stay in shape?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I used to be a professional swimmer. I am addicted to sport so I try to do something every day, if it’s possible. I like roller skating, jogging, yoga, going to a gym. And I sill love to swim, of course.

PONY RYDER: Yoga or Pilates?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I haven’t tried Pilates yet but I like yoga.

PONY RYDER: Do models eat?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I know more `normal` people who aren’t related to modeling and had an eating disorder. I’ve met many models, and they are just naturally slim young girls, so they don’t need to work so hard to keep their figure.

PONY RYDER: Can you cook?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I can, but I’m too lazy to cook for myself. I love to bake, especially Christmas candies.

PONY RYDER: Your favorite meal is...
BARBORA MARCONOVA: …It would be a discrimination to say just one :] I love sushi, beef tartar steak, tomatoes, everything sweet…

PONY RYDER: What is your personal style?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Sportive. Everything just has to be comfortable.

PONY RYDER: Your favorite designer is (or a brand?)
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I like brands such as Roxy, Billabong, and American apparel. From designers: Betsey Johnson.

PONY RYDER: How do you pose, what's your style?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: It really depends on a photographer. Someone lets you do your own poses, then I just try to move slowly. Sometimes a photographer knows exactly what he wants, so you don’t have the freedom.

PONY RYDER: Have you ever said no to something? A nude shot, an uncomfortable photoshoot...?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I haven’t had to, but I would totally do it.

PONY RYDER: What photographer would you like to work with?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: I have to say Steven Maisel of course. I’ve already worked with Mario Testino, the funny thing is that I didn’t even know who he was.

PONY RYDER: What would you advise to new models?
BARBORA MARCONOVA: Don’t be stressed, just try to enjoy this opportunity.

PONY RYDER VOTES FOR BARBORA MARCONOVA!

Interview with fashion model Barbora Marconova is original work and courtesy of Pony Ryder blog.