MICHELLE WESTGEEST: the interview

touchemodels.nl via TFS(MissJones)

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MICHELLE WESTGEEST

A Stunner

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Michelle Westgeest is with TRUMP (NY) & Future Faces (Holland)

Ph. David Bellemere

The Interview

PONY RYDER: How did you start modeling Michelle?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: I was always interested in fashion and magazines before even knowing I could be a model as well! They scouted me when I was 15 but my mom didn't allow me.... Then few years later again, when shopping in London!

dossierjournal.com via TFS (fadedcolours)

PONY RYDER: What are your agencies...

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: D-management (Milan), City models (Paris), Trump models (New York) & Future Faces (Holland).

PONY RYDER: Is there a different treatment of models and their careers in a smaller boutique agency, as opposed to big agencies and networks?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: For me yes. I prefer smaller, it’s really personal and not like; so am I speaking to Michelle V, W or S? Though the most important is how you like your booker: the click you have...

Christian Dior SS 10 via TFS (SirSunday)

PONY RYDER: When models first appear on the scene, they are sometimes compared to established models. Were you compared to anyone?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: I’ve been compared to Eva Herzigova.

Dolce & Gabbana S/S 10 Milan via TFS (Nils)

PONY RYDER: Do you see yourself as a commercial, editorial or runway model?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Runway, I like doing it and then I'm 181! And editorial; I like playing different moods and the shootings are cooler and more arty then commercial!

PONY RYDER: So you are 181cm tall. How was growing up? Where you the tallest in your class?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Yess, well one of the tallest! But then Dutch people are the tallest in the world!! So didn’t stand out that much.

D-management

PONY RYDER: Is posing for polaroids different then posing for editorials.
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: It depends… sometimes they ask for some cool posing, but mostly it's just straight and natural.

PONY RYDER: I wonder, do you notice the difference in the way you pose now, and the way you used to at the very beginning of your career?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Hm... I learned to 'feel' the move I make. To give something extra in the picture (with eyes) and energy is important! And I try to understand the story they do, what mood/feeling it is.

Dior Couture 09 via TFS (Fahion_Girl22) @ fashionmag.com

The Shows

PONY RYDER: You booked some coveted runway jobs, like for example Christian Dior, Giorgio Armani, Hussein Chalayan... What was your favorite job among this three?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: I was so happy to do all of these shows! All have they're own style. The Dior show is the strong and sexy feeling! I think it’s every models dream to do this show… Giorgio Armani’s very elegant. And Chalayan amazing fabrics! It was a very original show.

Christian Dior FW 09 via TFS (SirSunday)

PONY RYDER: How long did the process of putting make up on for Dior show last? MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Hm, 40 minutes more or less...

PONY RYDER: Is 40 minutes the usual time for makeup process prior fashion shows?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Hm usually shorter, 15/ 20 min... The look is more natural then. But creating this artistic look and bleaching eyebrows makes it take longer.

city-models.com

PONY RYDER: Can you recommend us some designer that you like that the public is not very familiar with?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: There was a great designer in Holland; Percy. The most beautiful clothes… especially dresses he made. Unfortunately, last year he passed away...

Gianfranco Ferre ad campaign

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STYLE & SHOPPING

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PONY RYDER: Gianfranco Ferre campaign! Tell us, what did you like the most about GF clothes?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: The pallet. The collection had a lot of beige, greyish white and black. It’s what I always wear myself too!!

PONY RYDER: Where do you shop for your clothes?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Hm it depends on the city I’m in! In NY there’s Urban Outfitters, Bloomingdales for example. They always have something nice at Zara, H&M. And in Paris many nice small shops, especially the Marais, cool vintage stuff that not everyone has ;)!

Trump model management

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BEAUTY ROUTINE

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PONY RYDER: What is your beauty routine?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Always before touching my face put on some antibacterial stuff on my hands! Then some cleansing milk, go with a towel over my face. Then almond Weleda cream.

PONY RYDER: Do you use under eye cream?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Haha I’m getting old?! No not special eye cream.. Just my Weleda that I use all over the face and under my eyes ;)

courtesy of Cinnamaranth via TFS (SirSunday)

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MAKE-UP KIT

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PONY RYDER: What make up do you use?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Dior mascara, grey eye shadow from Sephora concealer touche eclat

PONY RYDER: And make up cleanser?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Estee Lauder cleansing milk and Bioderma Crealine

PONY RYDER: What makeup base do you use?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Daycream and concealer

PONY RYDER: Your choice of foundation?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Armani foundation/ concealer

city-models.com

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BEAUTY SECRET

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PONY RYDER: What is the best beauty advice you know of?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: A massage when you are tired and had much tension - feel like reborn. If it’s done right. For the face, a good scrub and of course; drinking a lot of water!

D-model management

PONY RYDER: What products do you use for nourishing your body?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Nivea body cream - hydrating and I like the smell

PONY RYDER: OK, so what's your favorite fragrance?
MICHELLE WESTGEEST: I use to wear Pure – Jill Sander. But now, don’t really have any..

the ones 2 watch

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SHAPE & DIET

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PONY RYDER: How do you stay in shape?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: By doing exercises. And jump, run... The more tiring the better the result is the heavy truth! Not saying I’m doing this every day… then with castings you walk a lot of course. Then to drink a lot of water and sort of eat a bit of everything!

PONY RYDER: Nutritionists say that breakfast is the most important meal in the day so what do you eat for breakfast?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: Yes I try to variate… Usually it’s some yoghurt with grains and fruit, or oats in boiled water with banana slices. Some tea, coffee and I can’t resist the smell of the bakery in the morning! So a nice warm baguette ;)

D management

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TRAVELING

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PONY RYDER: How do you take care of yourself with all the traveling you do? What do you take with you?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: My Ipod, 3 phones! Concealer, antibacterial stuff, cream, lip balm, sunglasses, comb, chewing gum lots of chewing gum :p. And extra vitamin C when traveling by plane.

PONY RYDER: Three phones Michelle?!?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: 2 blackberry’s and one crappy French phone (the 3rd one already, ‘cause they all broke!) with a different ring tone for everyone to not get confused!

PONY RYDER: Chewing lots of chewing gums? So you must have developed taste for them! What’s your favorite taste?

MICHELLE WESTGEEST: My bad addiction!! Hmm.. every time I’m into a different taste actually. But the vanilla/ mint from ‘Splash’ is goooood!

Alexander McQueen SS 10 via TFS (SirSunday)

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Exclusive interview with fashion model Michelle Westgeest is original work by Pony Ryder.