CATO VAN EE: the interview

Cato for Vogue China 2008

CATO VAN EE

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the sparkling
Cato Van Ee is with IMG NY.

Ph. Liz Collins for Numero Tokyo

PONY RYDER: Cato, finally! How are you?

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CATO VAN EE: I'm very well, thank you and how about you?

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PONY RYDER: Much better, thank you!

Cato Van Ee for Vogue China 2008

PONY RYDER: Cato, interview now! What were your expectations when you first started modeling?

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CATO VAN EE: When I started I had no idea about the fashion industry, so no big expectations. The one thing that surprised me was that most models are very smart, most girls have a great education!
PONY RYDER: True. Do you go to college?
CATO VAN EE: No, I started straight after high school but I do want to keep on studying. When modeling slows down a bit I want to start going to Psychology classes.

PONY RYDER: Did things happen for you sooner than you thought? The first Prada show you did, the first campaign…

xCATO VAN EE: Yes much faster.. although I started to model when I was 15 I never left Holland until I was 18 and finished with highschool.

I had no idea if I could work internationally but after my first week of castings in Paris I went to Milan for Prada and I couldn't believe it! Everything went very fast after that.

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PONY RYDER: Did you grow a few centimeters since you started working?
CATO VAN EE: Yes! When I was discovered I was shorter, around 1.73 but I was still growing at that time so now I'm 1.76.

Vogue China 2008

PONY RYDER: Cato... That's a strange name. Is it short from something, or is it a common name in Holland?

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CATO VAN EE: Cato used to be short for names like Katrien and Cathelijn in Dutch but my parents liked the short one better! Everybody in Holland knows the name but I don't share it with many people, so it's still pretty unique.

Vogue China 2008

PONY RYDER: There are so many successful Dutch models. What would you say is the „it factor“ Dutch girls have?

xCATO VAN EE: Dutch models seem to be down to earth. They know that being a model isn't the most important thing in life, which gives them a chill attitude that is attracting to a lot of people.

Ph. Azim Haidaryan for Velvet

PONY RYDER: You are so busy! How do your organize your time-is 24 hours enough?
CATO VAN EE: Fortunately my agents arrange the schedule and I just try to be as punctual as possible!!!

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PONY RYDER: What do you do when you're traveling… all those long hours on the airplane?
CATO VAN EE: SLEEP!! Finally no telephone, email, people...just sleep! Even on the flight to Sydney I slept 18 hours, my favorite flight!

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PONY RYDER: Do you have a favorite airline?
CATO VAN EE: KLM of course! Holland all the way!x

PONY RYDER: What's on your iPod right now?
CATO VAN EE: Coldplay always...now also listening to Empire of the Sun.

xPONY RYDER: Have you discovered any cool music on the fashion shows you do?
CATO VAN EE: Yes I have! A year ago I heard MGMT at a show and ever since it's been one of my favorite bands!

Ph. Olaf Wipperfurth, st. Claudia Englmann for Vogue Germany

PONY RYDER: What work of yours are you particularly proud of. What is your favorite picture of yourself?

xCATO VAN EE: It's strange...everytime I see a picture of myself I see a model and not myself. I love the story I did with Vanina Sorrenti for The Times Style magazine, it was the first time I shot topless and was proud the way they it looked, I guess...As we say in Holland: "Klein maar fijn" haha!

Elle France 2009

PONY RYDER: Many girls, while starting, are doing low paid or non paid jobs. Often they complain. What do you think about this? Can a non paying job give you great exposure?
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CATO VAN EE: Yes, definitely! You get booked for money jobs because of a strong book, and to build a strong book you need to do a lot of (non paid) editorials. So in the beginning you really have to invest in your future!

Cato for Elle France

PONY RYDER: I wonder... Would you rather choose a better paid job and less exposure or vice versa? Is modeling a job or a way of life?

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CATO VAN EE: At the end of the day you need to get your bills paid, but I enjoy doing editorials very much so I always hope to do 50/50.

When I started being a model I saw it as a way of life but slowly it has become an actual job...with taxes and everything! You have to be a business woman!

Vogue Russia 2008

PONY RYDER: Are magazines jobs better paid than the runway jobs?

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CATO VAN EE: It depends...sometimes you can get paid pretty good for shows (especially in Milan) but sometimes you only get a piece of clothing so then magazines pay more...

L'Officiel Netherlands

PONY RYDER: I loved what you said about male models: „I enjoy working with male models, but I never thought; That one is going home with me.". You are so funny! Is this still on - are you still with Simon?

CATO VAN EE: No, not together with Simon anymore...but love Dutch boys the most! I have a very Dutch sense of humor so they make me laugh the most and I think that is most important!

Ph. Benny Horne for Numero Tokyo

PONY RYDER: Do you still do your hair with the hairdresser who „discovered“ you? What's his name?
CATO VAN EE: Vincent at Rob Peetoom discovered me and if I need a haircut I definitely go to him! But lately my hair gets cut mostly at jobs so I don't need to go as often anymore!

PONY RYDER: Do you take some hair supplements? After all, you do work a lot!

CATO VAN EE: YES!!! End of July I did a hair job for dark brown (almost black hair) and then beginning September I did a hair job for blonde hair...so you can say my hair is pretty dead but bits by bits with help of major hair masks it's recovering..

Vogue China 2008

PONY RYDER: Do you plan on having a makeover in the future, like a different haircut or hair color?
CATO VAN EE: A year ago I didn't have my ears pierces, I never colored my hair and was always talking about "pure nature". Now I have earrings and colored my hair lighter.. pretty intense makeover for me! But I'm happy I did it, I like change!

Vogue China 2008

PONY RYDER: How do you maintain your skin?
CATO VAN EE: I use Bioderma's Crealine to clean my skin and then I use non-perfume cream by Louis Widmer.

xPONY RYDER: Switching from summer to winter is stressful for skin. Do you change moisturizers at that time?
CATO VAN EE: Yes I do..I have a thick cream for winter and a light one with high SPF for summer.

Source: seeds mgmt

PONY RYDER: What is inside your make up bag?

CATO VAN EE: I always have Lucas'Papaw ointment with me. It's a natural product from Australia which I use to keep my lips hydrated.

The only other things in my make-up bag:

• Concealer by RMS
• Mascara by Chanel
• Touche eclat by YSL.

Ph. John Compson for L'Officiel Russia 2008

PONY RYDER: The best advice that make up artist gave you is...
CATO VAN EE: Don't do it yourself when someone else can do it better....haha!!
xPONY RYDER: What make up remover do you use?
CATO VAN EE: Crealine...best for everything!

Ph. Marcus Ohlsson, st.Lisa Lindqwister for Elle Sweden

PONY RYDER: Do you use vitamins?
CATO VAN EE: Yes, when flying so much it's important to take vitamins. I use different types of multivitamin.

Piazza Sempione S/S 10

PONY RYDER: What should girls that want to become a model definitely not do?
CATO VAN EE: Do not try to be someone else, stay close to yourself and enjoy the moment!

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PONY RYDER: How do you see yourself in ten years?
CATO VAN EE: An experienced world traveler.

Source IMG

Interview with model Cato Van Ee is original work by Pony Ryder.