Photographers Jacob & Yes at Badland – Fashion Editor Sara Jeminen – Model Sofia Hansson at Nisch Management – Makeup Marina Andersson at Linkdetails – Hair Nikola Grozdic at Linkdetails – Casting by Sara Jeminen – Fashion Assistants Madeleine Trysefjord and Ulyana Kallander – Interview by Melania Musci // Top Wardrobe.NYC via Mytheresa – Skirt Wardrobe.NYC via Mytheresa – Dress Coperni via Mytheresa – Shoes Courréges
Total Look Courréges / Total Look Valentino
Hello Sofia, could you tell us about your very first casting experience?
I don ́t even remember what it was for but I was very young, maybe 15. I started working until much later, at 20. In hindsight, I can say that I was very lucky to get into this industry a little bit later in life.
Before that moment, had you ever seriously considered a career in modelling?
Yes and no. As I mentioned, I had my first interaction with the modelling world at 15 but didn’t work until a few years later. By then, I think I had let go of the idea of modelling. Although I have always been very interested in fashion, my childhood dream was to be a designer or creator of
some sort. When my modelling career started I had already grown out of that dream, but I’m very grateful that I have the chance to work in this industry in another role.
Total Look Prada / Jacket Uma Wang – Skirt Our Legacy – Shoes Celine – Leg Warmers Gemme Collective
After several years of working on different sets, what’s a reality of the modelling industry that you feel is completely unseen or misunderstood by the public?
I’m not the first one to say this, but I think that people have the idea of modelling as being a chill, glamorous lifestyle, where you just travel the world and go to fancy parties. Although this might be correct in some ways: yes, there is a lot of travelling. Yes, there might be parties and yes, you’re surrounded by beautiful things and fabulous people, but that doesn’t mean you’re living a chill life. There are few professions that force young people to navigate such a big world and harsh industry as modelling does, all the while leaving them more or less alone in doing it. In my opinion the agents have a big responsibility here and I’ve been very fortunate in that regard. I have lovely people around me.
And if you could change one thing about this industry, what would it be?
Even though the accessibility and possibility of exchanging experience across the world is amazing and a privilege, I think I would like to see more local teams and casting. Most of all because of the insane amount of hours we all spend on flights and the toll it takes on the environment, but also to let the fashion and content be more connected to and representative of its geographical and traditional origin.
Total Look McQueen / Total Look Junya Watanabe
I noticed some photos on your Instagram profile of you competing in fencing championships. How challenging was it to manage that rigorous training schedule alongside your demands as a working model?
As a whole, it’s manageable. I’m good at planning and like being very busy. Although during my first meeting with a modelling agency, I was told I had too much muscle. I had to lose some of it in order for them to represent me. I was very young and climbing towards the peak of my fencing career, and so I didn’t listen and kept on with my sport. It kind of made me think that being an athlete wasn’t compatible with being a model. At least as a girl. After that let down I applied to another agency and they wanted to represent me as I was. Since then I never received anything but support for my athleticism from agents and people I ́ve worked with. This experience showed me that one ‘no’ really doesn’t mean anything at all.
What specific teachings from the world of sports have you successfully applied to your professional life as a model?
Being an elite athlete has done nothing but help me in modelling. The knowledge and routine of exercise, nutrition and rest was and is super important for me, and it had a huge presence in my life way before I got into modelling. Without it, I probably wouldn’t have been both healthy and happy. I needed the order to stay sane even before modelling was in my life. Seeing yourself on a magazine cover represents a significant milestone in any model’s career.
Total Look Dries Van Noten / Total Look Sportmax
Could you share your immediate reaction and the feelings surrounding the very moment it became a reality for you?
The crazy thing is modellingecond shoot ever was also my first editorial, and it happened to endup on the cover of Vogue Italia. In all honesty, I didn’t grasp the epicness until after it came outand I got some reactions to it from people I worked with. It was probably a good thing though, I would have died from nerves and done a terrible job if I knew what was going on. Although the look on the photographer’s face when I said it was my second shoot ever should maybe have tipped me off.
Do you plan to continue your journey in the fashion world, or do you have other long-term career goals you’re aiming for?
I hope to. Right now I’m doing my third year of the Architecture program at the Royal Institute of Technology here in Stockholm, so I constantly have that in mind too. I think set design and atmosphere-making is a very interesting part of photography and fashion. I could definitely see myself happy working with that as well. And I hope to keep modelling for as long as I’m able whilst enjoying it.
Coat Uma Wang – Shoes Courréges / Coat Acne Studios – Shoes Sportmax
Working as a model naturally brings an increased focus on self-care and well-being. What’s a beautiful habit you’ve cultivated during your career that has become non-negotiable?
Working this way, as I often spend a lot of time alone and away from my everyday life, it has become a necessity to stay in touch with my family. I can’t be sure that I can attend every birthday or event so I call them as often as I can, not only when I might be a little homesick. It’s vital for me to talk to the people who know me as just Sofia, as a contrast to how crazy and intense modelling can be.
If you had to choose the three pieces from your closet that best define your personal style, which items would you select?
I think my style philosophy is ‘low effort – high reward’. I’m a sucker for comfort, need everything to be practical and work with a lot of pieces in my wardrobe. My black loafers are a staple, they’re so easy to wear and look good with anything. I also love a good oversized crisp shirt in the spring and summer season, or a wooly knit that you can throw on later in the year. Lastly, something I do to make myself feel more made up is just wearing some fun silver jewellery.
Total Look Givenchy / Dress Maison Margiela – Shoes Sportmax – Bag Lemaire