This interview was first published on Thursday, January 04, 2007
Sylvia Van Der Klooster is one of those models who really tasted fashion. With a career to envy, after working with names such as Steven Meisel, Peter Lindbergh, Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin ,Miles Aldrige,Craig mcDean, Steve Hiett….and appeared in all the important fashion magazines such as German/Italian/Rusian/American/French Vogue,american Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Amica she has now decided to move forward a new direction. Let’s see what she told me while visiting the studio I work at for some coffee …
FilepMotwary: So Sylvia, as I told you already, for me is always a blessing meeting people, like yourself, who truly inspired me as a younger person. Practically though, we have the same age (28) but is seems that you have done everything concerning your career as a (top) model. SylviaVanDerKlooster: I think I got lucky, being discovered by chance on the street when I never thought of modelling, had good agencies to support me and being down to earth and professionally and personally. This kept me going for so long. I have been lucky, never really had to go on diet or the gym, or have bad skin..
FilepMotwary: Which was your favourite moment in fashion?
SylviaVanDerKlooster: That’s difficult, so many great things I have experienced. My first show ever was Prada,I knew that was important. Doing the first Versace show right after Gianni died which was emotional for all the people working there..But I think the most outstanding thing was the long time I worked for Dolce&Gabbana, 8 years, 17 shows in a row I did for them. I respect their loyalty while they could easily get any great model to do that, but they kept 'calling' me. Loyalty is hard to find in this business so that was truly great and I am still so thankful for that!!!
FilepMotwary: So, as you told me when we met at my studio, one day you said yourself:"Ok Sylvia, I am done with modelling"! How come?
SylviaVanDerKlooster: I was 8 years in the business, suddenly I felt ‘old’ between all the 16 year olds who just appeared. I was over the whole high fashion thing and it seemed better for me to close that part instead of going on with something that was going “downhill”. Anyway, what I mean by that is that I am not doing the shows anymore on high scale.
FilepMotwary: Can you share with us details on your relationship with Dolce andGabbana? SylviaVanDerKlooster: As I said before, they have been amazing to me! Loyal and real people they are. It was inspiring to work with them (they did the looks/ fitting the collection on me)to see how they make dresses from scratch. They were smart and very artistic with ideas, making women feel really sexy but with class. I still have contact with Stefano every now and then and I still feel excited to see their shows and collections. Old or new! Great memories!
FilepMotwary :Some of the girls of your era still work like crazy. They disappear for some seasons and then you see them back again, like Tasha Tilberg for example. What makes a good model and what does it take to become "BIGTIME"?
SylviaVanDerKlooster: That has to do with luck and being somewhere at the right time. When a girl looks “IN” and again luck luck luck! It’s a cliché answer but the truth!
FilepMotwary Is there a couture moment that you worship?
SylviaVanDerKlooster Ha Ha, honestly, no! I thought it was a drag, those long fittings, tight corsets and having my hair and make-up done for 6 hours..
FilepMotwary I was always wondering on how it feels to be the face of a campaign ang your face being featured in all the magazines of the world for a whole season?
SylviaVanDerKlooster: Well, it is flattering, that a brand wants your face associated with their product and of course it is a great way of making money by appearing in a campaign. They pay very good money. I remember when I first saw myself in a magazine, I felt so exited. I thought,” WOW I am a real model now”. Now, well, it’s only exciting when you know the story in the magazine could be really exciting and good to put in your portfolio (a lot of editorials don't always make it to portfolios)..
FilepMotwary : So what are your future plans?
SylviaVanDerKlooster : I want to study fashion design at new school/Parsons in New York, something I was always interested in, even before modelling so I am happy to enter a new chapter in my life! FilepMotwary Was there a moment in your career that you want to forget?
SylviaVanDerKlooster: Replying to Ralph Lauren 'You Too' when he told me 'you look very beautiful’. I was so nervous ha ha
FilepMotwary Who is your favourite designer by the way?
SylviaVanDerKlooster :Chloe when Phoebe Philo was there...
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