Simone de Rijk Interview

Simone de Rijk [See-mon-uh duh Reik], a new model from Arnhem, Netherlands, plans to make her way to the top. Placed with Ulla Models in Amsterdam and Joy in Milan, this girl is sure to be a success story. With a haunting face that is sure to catch your eye, it’s hard to deny her northern appeal. Her eyes are enough to hold you in a trance, which is just one of the many skills this talented 16 year old possesses. Her enthusiasm in the business is what many girls need, and she has no plans of slowing down on her rising journey. Shot so far by Gilbert Francois, Sharon Mor Yosef, Yorick Nubé, Helen, Joost Vandebrug, she has no reason to look behind her. Simone de Rijk, let’s find out if you see like me.

Trey Taylor: Can you please fill this out?
Name: Simone de Rijk
Age: 16
Occupation: High-school student, ballet dancer and model
Currently Resides: Arnhem, The Netherlands
Favourite Song: Miracle by Ilse de Lange

Trey Taylor: So most would agree that you are a fairly young model. What do you think the fashion industry likes about young women so much?
Simone de Rijk: In the regular world I am young, but in the fashion industry there are models that allready start at the age of 13 or even younger, which I think is way too young of course. You have to be able to be a child at that age. But of course 16 is still young. When you’re young you’re, most of the time, at your best. You still have the condition, the body and the skin. Getting older is not just a number, you can see it on the outside aswell. Most of the time the career of a model ends at the age of 30, there are exceptions of course. To be able to have a long career you have to start at a young age. For me 16 is the right age to start. I’m still at school for one more year and then I’m free to go and hopefully start a wonderfull career. This year I can built up my book and get a bit of an idea of the job. You really have to be a model 24/7.

TT: I think that you are very relatable to many young girls out there. Do you feel your look is unique?
SdR: I don’t think I have seen a girl that looks the same, so in that way yes. But then again, everyone has something special. Even twins don’t look exactly the same.

TT: Have you always wanted to be a model? Did you ever think of yourself as ugly?
SdR: I wanted to be a model since the age of 11. I have allways been into fashion, make-up and doing something special. I’m a balletdancer since I was 3 years old. I’ve been performing since that age and I can get enough of being on a stage. A catwalk is also a stage where you are a part of something bigger. When I was little I allready said to my mom that I was going to do something special in my life, something unique. I want to be remembered and want people to respect the things that I do. I hope people really see me as someone who can’t be replaced. Did I ever think of myself as ugly? I never thought I was really ugly, but I don’t think about myself as beautifull. There are moments when I look in the mirror and think ‘blegh’ and sometimes I think I don’t look that bad. I think every girl knows this, it’s also the age, haha.

TT: How did you get into modeling? Was it particularly difficult?
SdR: As I said before, modelling has been my dream since I was 11 and still is. When my braces got out, I contacted Ulla models in Amsterdam. About 10 minutes after I had sent some pictures, my phone rang. Me and my mom went to Amsterdam and from the moment we walked in the agency it felt really good. The people who work there are amazing and they really do their utmost to fulfill my dream. Now when I go there it allready feels like home, like I’m part of a little family. 

TT: What was your childhood like in Arnhem? Does anything stick out in your memory as being life-altering?
SdR: I had an amazing childhood and still have. My mom and dad are the most wonderfull parents I could wish for. They support me in everything I do. A lot of times I just have the need to give them a big hug or do something special for them, because they do literrally everything for me. The school that I’m in is a special school for top atleets. I’m on a professional dance academy. It isn’t in the neighborhoud, but my parents, especially my mom, drive me to school and pick me up when I have a long day. I also have a very nice brother, Joost, we never fight. He’s a bit older, he is very tall and musculair. Sometimes, when we go somewhere, I feel he’s kind of my bodyguard, haha. My grandma is very sweet aswell. She lives across the street and really spoils us. I don’t think anything special was life-altering, but just whole my life, allready, has been really great. I’m very lucky to have such great people around me. One thing I do remember I have learned from my mother: believe in yourself and don’t let anything get you down. Thanks for that, my sweet mommy!

TT: What do you hope to accomplish with modelling?
SdR: First of all, I want to have a big career and be different from others. And second of all, I want to make art. I think fashion is art, if you do it the right way. I want to be part of that.

TT: What are your goals?
SdR: I want to make a little piece of history. I want to do something important in life, to be important for this world. I hope to accomplish this in modelling or with the help of modelling.

TT: Name your five favourite films:
SdR:
1. The changeling
2. Snow White
3. Slumdog Millionaire
4. Notting Hill
5. James Bond (in general)

TT: Did you find it difficult to learn posing? Do you have a signature pose?
SdR: I just move and be kind of bendy and stretchy. Dancing at a high-level helps a lot, since you can do more with your body and are more body conscious. I don’t have a signature pose, but I tend to move my shoulders and back a lot. 

TT: What do you know?
SdR: Don’t be anyone that you’re not. Take care of yourself. Love the ones that take care of you. Give back and don’t trust people that can’t be trusted. Have a goal. Dream and don’t ever give up! g

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