NIKA LAURAITIS: the interview

Ph. Peter Gegrke Sty. Teddy Czopp via TFS

NIKA LAURAITIS

the dazzling

Nika Lauraitis is with FORD models NY & Elite Paris & TESS London.

showcard via models.com

PONY RYDER: Nika, what is your origin?
NIKA LAURAITIS: I'm 2nd generation American... I was born and raised in Illinois, as were my parents...my grandparents were born in Lithuania :)

PONY RYDER: And do you speak Lithuanian?
NIKA LAURAITIS: I pretend I do :) , I know some words and key phrases but not enough to have a conversation

Ford Models via TFS

PONY RYDER: You are from Chicago, and I love Oprah. Now, explain your love for Spike Jonze?
NIKA LAURAITIS: I saw Where the Wild Things Are and i loved it! It was shot so beautifully, I wanted to watch it again :D

via Elite Paris

PONY RYDER: Let's concentrate on fashion. How and when did you start with modeling?

NIKA LAURAITIS: Shannon from Ford Chicago scouted me during the summer at Woodfield Mall (outside Chicago), I was about to turn 15 and she gave me her card (which I still have) and I gave her my moms phone number.

I was interested yes, but I didn't think anything was actually going to happen, but my mom got a follow up call and my mom asked me "so.. What do you think? Is this something you'd like to do?" and I said yes and they waited until I got my braces off and I did my first test shoot that November.

French magazine

PONY RYDER: You are on one of the covers of the sensational French Revue de Modes edition! How do you feel about your cover?

NIKA LAURAITIS: I was VERY happy with my cover, it's very strong and I loved the leather jumpsuit I was wearing! The shoot was very quick and easy, and I shot with Thierry Le Goues the day before for an editorial, so I felt comfortable. I was the only one shooting at the time, so I didn't meet any of the other cover models.

Moschino Cheap & Chic SS09

PONY RYDER: You are in the Moschino Cheap & Chic S/S 09 ad alongside Emma Maclaren. How did you like working with Emma?
NIKA LAURAITIS: I love Emma! We were both new faces last year during the Spring Summer 2009 show season and we booked a lot of the same shows and that's how we met. It was nice to shoot the campaign with a familiar face :)

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CLICK FOR THE INTERVIEW WITH EMMA MACLAREN

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CLICK FOR THE INTERVIEW WITH KENDRA SPEARS

PONY RYDER: You shared an apartment with Kendra Spears! Are you two still friends?
NIKA LAURAITIS: Yeah! We still keep in contact, but we see a lot less of each other now that she's back in Seattle.

PONY RYDER: And did you ever have to live with an unpleasant person in a model apartment?

NIKA LAURAITIS: I've had my fair share of 'unpleasant' models but there have not been any cat fights...yet :P

Ph. Arthur Elgort for Teen Vogue via TFS mariemaud

PONY RYDER: You did an editorial for Teen Vogue. How was it working for publication like Teen Vogue?
NIKA LAURAITIS: It was awesome working with Teen Vogue, everyone that works there is so nice, and shooting is always fun because everyone has a good energy.

PONY RYDER: Did you read Teen Vogue while growing up?

NIKA LAURAITIS: I did subscribe to it when i was younger... I used to cut out all the pictures I liked and hang them in my room, and now I'm in the magazine pages? It's crazy!

PONY RYDER: That editorial was cheerful. Would you be able to portray happiness even if you don’t feel happy at all?
NIKA LAURAITIS: It is more difficult to fake happiness when your not, but you just think of something that makes you laugh no matter what, I try to think of funny moments with my sisters, that always works.

PONY RYDER: Is fashion fun?
NIKA LAURAITIS: Fashion can be fun, I think it's a creative and personal way to express yourself, but people can take it too seriously.

Ph. Dirk Seiden Schwann for Amica

PONY RYDER: You have so many editorials in your book. Do you feel like you are still building your book?
NIKA LAURAITIS: My book is never perfect, I will always be building it, as I keep developing as a model my book needs to reflect that as well.

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CLICK FOR NIKA LAURAITIS LOVES PONY RYDER IMAGES

PONY RYDER: What is your favorite picture of yourself?
NIKA LAURAITIS: It always changes, I usually get sick of pictures after a while, but right now my favorite is my French cover.

PONY RYDER: While starting out, many girls are doing low paid or non paid jobs. Could a non paying job give you great exposure?
NIKA LAURAITIS: OF COURSE! Some of the best editorial work is don pro bono!

Christopher Kane SS09 via TFS (ediewarhol&cw)

PONY RYDER: Christopher Kane is known for its originality. How did you like walking for him?
NIKA LAURAITIS: The show had a really cool vibe, and I didn't know much about Christopher Kane until I went to London, but last year I did looks for him and I got to try on most of the collection. He's a really sweet guy and I found out more about him and his love for circles!

showcards via models.com

PONY RYDER: When you moved to NY City, was it your first visit there? How did you manage yourself in such a big city?
NIKA LAURAITIS: I came to New York for the first time with my mom for a month during the summer to do some test shoots and meet some clients. I would have been very lost without her, but I seemed to pick up on everything quickly. I used to get lost when the streets turned from numbers to names, but now I feel comfortable without a map :)

Ph. Dirk Seiden Schwann for Amica

PONY RYDER: Among all the fashion capitals you worked in, which one was the most difficult to manage yourself in?
NIKA LAURAITIS: The hardest place to get around by far is Athens...The public transportation is horrible, there are only 3 lines and they don't go far out.. you have to go everywhere by bus which is extremely difficult with the Greek alphabet.

Ford Models

PONY RYDER: What would you say is the one beauty routine you never forget to do?
NIKA LAURAITIS: Wash my face and brush my teeth :)

PONY RYDER: Nika, I love your new hair style! What else did you do with your hair?
NIKA LAURAITIS: Bangs was the first change I've done to my hair, and I recently got highlights:)

PONY RYDER: What products do you use for your hair?

NIKA LAURAITIS: I use Biolage shampoo and conditioner, and I always get a haircut after the shows to get rid of dead and split ends.

PONY RYDER: How do you maintain yours skin?

NIKA LAURAITIS: I use a Neutrogena facial bar, it also gets makeup off.

Elite Paris

PONY RYDER: What make-up do you always wear?
NIKA LAURAITIS: I use rosebud lip balm which I'm addicted to.

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READ "THE BODY TALK" INTERVIEW WITH NIKA: HERE

PONY RYDER: The best advice that make up artist gave you is...
NIKA LAURAITIS: Good makeup is when you can hardly tell you have anything on.

PONY RYDER: The best beauty advice you know…?
NIKA LAURAITIS: The best thing is a good nights sleep :)

Ph. Dirk Seiden Schwann for Amica

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Interview with fashion model Nika Lauraitis is original work by Pony Ryder.

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