Can you tell us a little about you?

My name is Manouk van den Berg, 21 years old, I live in the Netherlands and love to travel to Spain as much as I can.

I studied pathology (analyst), only later I realized that I like to be more active and I want to do more than just sit in a hospital every day.

 

Now 1,5 years later, so many things has happened and changed. I became to know what I love and what I want. I’m going to start a barber education, get sewing lessons to make my own clothing and of course try to get further into modeling.

 

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

I will always be myself no matter what world I step into.

Modeling is showing me how I really look like, and I’m accepting myself more and more.

 

How did you start modeling?

How did I start modeling that is a very beautiful story.

It all started last year when I was in Spain with my family, June 2016 in Calpe. On a beautiful sunny day we were going to a market on a Wednesday morning in Calpe, there were a lot of different things on that market. It was very big and crowded.

I was wearing a wide dress with a big hat and sunglasses. Even through my disguise a young woman (Olivia Anna Beekman) started to notice me, she was there with her own market spot to sell. Her dad encouraged her to make contact with me, and she did.

I was surprised, she wanted to help me and introduce me to photographers and told me who to make contact with.

She is a makeup artist and lives in Spain, (you will see her work in the pictures added to this interview) since she lives in Spain I was all alone in Holland and she couldn’t do more than giving me the contacts. I felt super insecure, and my first shoot took a long time.

I came back in August 2016 to Spain – Valencia, it took me a lot of courage to settle my first shooting with Olivia Anna Beekman and Vicente Fenoll all the way in Javea.

It was a very nice and comfortable shoot they were both surprised how it end up, since I didn’t had any experience or follow the fashion/model world.

 

When I came back in Holland I had some examples of me from a real shoot to show to photographers, and got replies. I started to eat way better (less chocolate –haha) and later also a lot of gym again. I had 5 shootings in Holland and then came back to Spain - Alicante to have 15 shoots in 8 days in January. I did a lot of different styles and also worked with other models, make up all done by Olivia Anna Beekman she helped me from beginning till the end of that week.

Right away after I came back in Holland I got in contact with Michelle Broek and Thierry Goovearts, that’s how my contact in Belgium began.

 

What do you think of the work as a model?

It is a hard world, and a lot of competition. Besides that when everything is done clothing, hair, make up etc... I can put my feeling into it, I don’t have to think, I don’t have to worry. The only thing that matters is how you come over into the camera, the angles and your looks.

I’m there till the end for the best results no matter if it is cold, dark, hot, raining you can name it. You won’t hear me complaining when I know it is worth it.

 

What is your beauty regimen?

I really don’t have a structure or a secret. It is just how my day goes.

I try to drink 3/4 liters on a day (water and tea), eat as healthy as possible, get a good night sleep and I work out every day at home or in the gym.

Besides beauty looks, it also comes from within. I’m a very open and honest person, when I think someone is sincerely beautiful I will tell him/her. Be open for new people, don’t judge anyone until you have met them. How someone looks doesn’t tell anything about how he/she is.

 

What are your personal qualities which distinguish you from others?

I don’t feel any better or less, I do feel like I look a bit different from others.

I have a very soft expression and I can put all my feelings/emotion in to it.

 

What are your plans for the future?

My future plan that is a very good question, I hope to achieve more in the modeling world, travel to more places, and get noticed by beautiful brands and companies. Maybe later acting next to modeling, who knows J

 

What are some of your favorite experiences so far?

My favorite experience, I have so many, the day that I met Olivia Anna Beekman, my first shoot with Vicente Fenoll and Olivia changed everything. My full shooting week in Spain (15 shoots in 8 days), that gave me a lot of confidence that I’ve never felt before. We had last minute changes, stress, pressure, cold, bad weather, rain, stormy wind, I even got a little eye infection… still through that all I felt more calm than ever.

It was really nice to wake up, you see your favorite makeup artist and start the day with makeup, clothing, hair and go to a location or studio and make some beautiful work.

 

In a short time I made many great experiences, it’s really nice to stay in touch with everyone and meet up when it’s possible of course. We all don’t live nearby.

 

Do you have any advice for those who want to start modeling?

I always thought you need to start modeling from a young age or you need to be rich or from a successful family to get seen and noticed.

If you really want something you have to work for it, it won’t fall in front of your feet. You have to make free time for it and watch social media every day. There are TFCD/TFP groups on Facebook who can help you start to build up a portfolio. Still watch out because you never know to whom you walk into, always bring a friend.

 

What do you think of the magazine?

Starters who are trying their best to enter this model fashion world are getting a chance to be seen.

I hope you enjoyed my interview and check out my Facebook page and/or follow me on instagram @manouk.vdberg

Thank you every one who helped me to this point, I’m very grateful.

 

 https://www.facebook.com/manouk.vandenberg.96