Designer: Angelo Estera, Dubai @angeloestera
Model: Natalie Spivak @queenissima
Production assistant: Mansour Fernandez
Makeup: Shifa Ahmad @makeoverbyshifa
Hair: Moona Sultan @moona.sultan
Photo: Premkumar Thiyagarajan @d2dtraveler
Retoucher (peach gown): Hemang Trivedi @_hemang_trivedi_
Retoucher (gold gown): Seniia Shearer @shearerseniia
Retoucher (turquoise gown): Atabak Sepehr @atabaksepehr
Venue: Saya Cafe, City Walk, Dubai, UAE @sayacafe.ae
PR: TOP PR Agency @toppragencyNatalie, how did you get involved with modeling? Where are you based now?
I seemed to have been born with a love for fashion. My mom and two of her sisters had amazing taste and even designed stunning stylish dresses for themselves using a sewing machine at home. One of my dad’s hobby was a photography, he is the one who taught me to love it. I never thought about being a model when I was a kid. I was born in city with strict rules for girls and deep respect for adults. It is just happened to be what when I was 14 one of photographer came to school and I was selected and invited for professional photo shoot. The photographer was preparing her works for exhibitions. It was a success. After that, my parents sent me to modeling school. At the age of 15 years old I started to do my first steps at the podium. The same year I had my first catwalk; I was a bride in an amazing black dress accompanying me were two 5-year-old gentlemen in white suits. It was a nice show. Currently i live in between London, Monaco, Dubai, New York, Los Angeles.
What do you love most about being a model? And, what do you least enjoy?
I think fashion is a big addiction. Since you start it you can`t stop! It is such a happiness to do what you love and work with creative talented people. All fashion industry people are very unique. I love the atmosphere and all about it. Of course each shoot is different and prepared by team of professionals. It is enjoyable process to create something new each time. Of course I enjoy fashion week`s shows. I love New York Fashion Week, as well Paris, Milan, London are also on top. Each show is amazing experience, source of unique energy and celebration of creativity. Least enjoy for me I guess is food at fashion weeks, as usually it is pizza. I don’t like and don’t eat unhealthy food.
What would surprise people to know about you?
I love to help. It is great to share happiness! To see more smiles on faces, more fires in hearts. To make this world kinder and happier! All is started after my volunteering help. I was helping poor kids come to attend a festival, which was shown on TV. A group of 17 girls who I helped to come to festival won the competition, got presents and pictures with celebrities. They had never been in the Capital before and for them their dreams came true, kids were extremely happy and very much thankful to me. I never expected it as I did my best for them from the bottom of my heart. I became addicted from that time- it is great to help people, to see their shiny eyes, happy faces, and to help them reach their dreams.
What fuels your imagination and provides you with inspiration?
A walk on Red Carpets of iconic events in haute couture gowns. Oh, I love it! Because of covid pandemic, I guess we all miss proper red carpets of Cannes Film Festivals, Berlin Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, Oscars. Hope thinks will get back to normal in 2021- 2022.
In your own eyes, how has modeling experience changed you as a person? What did you learned?
I have an interesting journey and life personally introduced me to Michael Jackson`s father Joseph, Sir Richard Branson at his private Necker Island, Dr. Edward Bosarge at his private Island Over Yonder Cay, Prince Michael of Kent in London, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and many more great personalities. It is good to live private: private planes, private helicopters, private super yachts, private islands. The biggest lesson I learned: you can have everything in this world, just needs to dream and go for it!
Tell us more about beautiful gowns you are wearing at pictures
It is a creation of a talented Haute Couture Designer ANGELO ESTERA. He based in Dubai, and dress Royalties in UAE and Middle East. Actually he is beloved in all Asia region, he is also a popular Couture designer in China and regularly attend Shanghai Fashion Week. As I know him in person, must say he got a wonderful personality and puts all his soul in each of his creation, all his gowns are hand made embroidered. In his stunning garments you feel a Queen. And I am in love with his bridal collection. Honestly speaking, for years I been thinking what kind of bridal gown I would like to have in my wedding day. And I fond an answer in ANGELO ESTERA boutique. He does absolutely amazing bridal gowns, it is something from your dream, the best fairytale dresses you could ever imagine.
Share your wildest photo-shoot/modeling story.
I think the wildest and wisest is don’t compare yourself with others. “Comparison is the thief of joy.” Each person is unique and extremely valuable, I guess is important so see yourself that way.
What is the most courageous thing you are ever done?
I left engagement with a Prince. It is a big part of my private life in London. One day I realized a man must be a Prince in his heart, not just in passport. I`m a free of addictions, titles and money will not stop me.
What is the beauty trick you do before a photo-shoot?
I think the best trick for model for upcoming shoot it is to have a good rest the night before. As the team of professional makeup, hair stylists will make their job for you look great. All you need just to sleep well. It is important to feel and look fresh. As you can`t hide emotions from the camera, your facial expressions talks.
Is there anything you would change about the modeling industry if you could?
Well, the weight of models has been steadily declining for decades. From the 90s till now, idealized images of the female body have reached, on average, 13–19% below the average weight. Unfortunately anorexia still a big problem in international modeling world, and many models put themselves in eating disorders conditions, but it is not a solution to stay beautiful. Besides that images of very slim models lead not only millions of women, but also teenagers to eating disorders.
The laws on the ban on very thin models introduced in France and Israel are not valid in other major fashion capitals. Fashion is a business, and if full women would sell fashion, designers would use full women as models. But till now, extreme thinness is equated with extreme success and an engine in the fashion world. I think all types of bodies can present success.
If you could change anything in the world what would it be?
I would make the world without any addictions: drugs, alcohol, tobacco, casinos, money. I think freedom is the biggest happiness what people have. I guess all of us understood it really well during quarantine. In my opinion is not fair for any smart human been to be addicted from such a small thing as a cigarette for example what is actually controlling you as you addicted to it. I can`t imagine of being controlled by few grams of dry grass. If you deeply think about it, is it sounds funny. I don’t believe above addictions are worth it.
What are your goals for the future?
I'm a perfectionist. I put my 100% into anything and everything I do and my endeavor is to reach the top.
Where can we see more of your works and get connected with you?
Thank you for the interview, MALVIE is my favorite Magazine in Paris. Best way to reach me on my Instagram @queenissima