Can you tell us a little about you?

My name is Viktorija, I’m 19 years old. Originally from Lithuania, I moved to London almost 2 years ago, that’s when I started modeling as well as completing a business degree.

 

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

There used to be quite a few things that I would want to change not so long ago but recently I realized that the only thing that I need to change really is to be more positive and less insecure. I believe that confidence is key to happiness as long as you are kind.

 

How did you start modeling?

Modeling started totally randomly for me. Throughout my early teens I was really awkward and hated pretty much everything about the way I looked so when I went on holiday to London and some photographer in Regent’s Street asked if he could take pictures of me I was quite shocked and surprised. The few pictures turned into an hour of shooting and he seemed to be very happy with the pictures. After that, one opportunity led to another and once I moved to London I decided to give it a try!

 

What do you think of the work as a model?

It is much harder that people imagine. You have to have resilience and a lot of it. When you go to a casting it is automatic that 1 out of (for example) 30 will get the job so 29 will be rejected. Rejection comes more often that acceptance so you really need to learn to deal with it and carry on with a cool head.

As well as this, people normally only see the end, edited image. For example, on one particular bikini shoot it looks like I’m having fun and it’s hot around me. Meanwhile in real life I am balancing on a sharp rock in an awkward pose in +10 degrees windy and wet conditions, jumping in to a dressing gown in between sets. It’s funny really. After one bikini shoot I had a cold for a week. It’s totally worth it though, I get to work with so many incredible, talented people and to see myself in all kinds of different settings. It’s great.

What are your personal qualities which distinguish you from others?

 

I am very straight-forward and I genuinely care. I have no time for half-hearted stuff and I suck at small talk. I am also very stubborn but in a good way (I hope!). If I want something, I will do everything to get it.

 

What is your beauty regimen?

I like to really look after my skin; I’m pretty much a beauty mask freak. On a daily basis I use Dermalogica’s sensitive skin range, then a charcoal and hyaluronic acid masks once or twice a week. I also try to watch my diet and keep away from dairy. I eat a lot. But of the good stuff – mostly lean meat, fish and lots and lots of veg. I also love yoga and pilates, I find it very relaxing.

 

What are your plans for the future?

I live now and am not making any long-term plans. I believe that it’s best to see your options at the time and make choices depending on that rather than sticking to a stiff plan and limiting your opportunities.

 

What are some of your favourite experiences so far?

My favourite shoot was the one with Haris Nukem. I was a big fan of his work for a long time but didn’t quite have the confidence to get in touch with him so when I saw him in real life while I was having dinner with my dad in a vegan café I freaked out and then my dad was like ‘what do you have to lose? Just go and talk to him!’. So I awkwardly interrupted him from serving himself tofu and was like ‘heey, are you Haris Nukem?’. It all ended with me washing off a bottle of baby oil and food dye in his shower. He was the first photographer to shoot me without make-up on and tell me ‘ok, now stop looking pretty, be yourself and show me some emotion’. The images turned out totally sick, different to anything I’ve done before. That’s basically why I love modeling, it lets me feel like a different ‘character’ every day.

 

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

Be nice to people and have resilience.

 

What do you think of the magazine?

I think it’s a great platform for models and artists and I’m grateful to be featured!

 

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