the Interview
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Hey Pony and thanks a lot, I like it to š I don’t think my parents had someone special in mind when they named me, Frida is quite a common name in Sweden so I guess they just picked a name they liked. I’ve always imagined and secretly hoped that they named me after Frida Kahlo though!
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: I was scouted on the streets of Stockholm and joined my mother agency about two years ago. I was so surprised since I never thought I could be a model, but as soon as I started, I really started to love it!
PONY RYDER: When you started, your hair was shorter and blondā¦ Who decided on the makeover?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: There never was any makeover, I just let it grow and with time it got darker and obviously a lot longer hahaha
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: I had no idea until my booker called me and told me I was on the models.com “Walk the walk” list as number four and that I walked about sixty shows. I was completely shocked, I couldn’t imagine that it became that many in the end! I lost count somewhere between Marc Jacobs and Jaeger, so I don’t blame you š
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: It was a wonderful, unreal and amazing experience, I honestly feel privileged to have been given this opportunity! I meet the most incredible, creative and coolest people in the world, got a chance to travel and hang out with my friends backstage. I really had so much fun! I really appreciated the opportunity to meet some of my absolute favorite designers of all time.
PONY RYDER: Wasn’t Chanel amazing? What did you think of the stage? Did you meet Lara (Stone) as well as Freja (Beha)?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Chanel is probably all the girls favorite show to do, there’s always a magical set, beautiful clothes and styling and then the legendary food haha! Yeah, I got to meet them, they’re both extremely beautiful and amazing girls!
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Jil Sander and Rodarte were my favorites and I canāt possibly choose just one of them because they’re so different from each other and I loved them both in different ways.
My favorite show in NYC were Rodarte, I absolutely loved the AMAZING craftsmanship behind all these stunning garments, the contrasts between the different materials and textures were just mind-blowing! And then there was the stage with green smoke, cool music, the labyrinth runway filled with sand, the tattoos and everything! I just fell in love with Rodarte all over again, they’re just so incredibly talented and different!
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: First of all, thanks! Yeah, the make up was gorgeous and was actually quite simple as well, it took about 30 to 45 minutes I guess, which is quite quick to be honest š
PONY RYDER: Alexander McQueen. That show was so big. How was your experience of the show?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: The Alexander McQueen show was like a crazy dream, Alexander is a genius!!
PONY RYDER: During last fashion season, did you discover some designer that you didnāt know before but are impressed with?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: I didn’t really discover any new designer but I kind of rediscovered some if you understand me š I fell in love with Raf Simons all over again, he’s such a genius . Iām also very impressed by the craftsmanship behind the Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, Acne and Viktor & Rolf.
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: During the shows I got some time to hang out with the most adorable girls in the world like Dorothea, Imogen, Nimue, Katie, Jac, Elsa, Hanna R and Irina K.
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Imogen is such a natural, both in front and behind the camera, I really like the pictures she took of me š
PONY RYDER: Your print work is getting stronger and stronger by each editorial that you do. What was your favorite shooting?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Thanks a lot, I do my best here š My favorite shooting so far must be with Steven Meisel since he’s simply a genius. He’s got one of the freshest and coolest senses of humor ever and I love his perspectives and visions when it comes to fashion.
BEAUTY TALK
PONY RYDER: How do you maintain your skin?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: I drink a lot of water and try to eat good, healthy food but apart from that, I never go to the bed with make-up on, and I cleane and exfoliate once a day. Dermalogica is my favorite. It is a really good brand free from chemicals and such.
PONY RYDER: What is your favorite moisturizer?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Active Moist from Dermalogica.
PONY RYDER: Do you use sunblock?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: I have a moisturizer with built in SPF 25 from Clinique which I use everyday.
PONY RYDER: Your choice of make up remover…
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Crealine from Biotherma
PONY RYDER: The best advice that make up artist gave you is…
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: To use eye cream, after all the on-and-off makeup at the shows your eyes get really sensitive and dry, so a good moisturizing eye cream like Intensive Eye Repair from Dermalogica is a really good tip!
PONY RYDER: Who is your favorite make-up artist?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: I really love Pat McGrath, she’s such an amazing person!!
PONY RYDER: What do you have in your make up bag?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Since I, more or less, never wear make up in private, itās kinda empty but thereās a Lancome mascara, the eyelash curler from Shu Uemura, Armani foundation, some Chanel lipsticks and some I.D. baremineral powder.
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Occasionally I do core & pilates but I always loved to run so when I don’t feel like hitting the gym I throw some running shoes on and go for a run in the forest (or Central Park if in New York).
PONY RYDER: Tell us about your favorite productsā¦?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: I love vanilla yoghurt and granola! āWhole foodsā has a really amazing organic yoghurt which I love, I eat it almost every morning with granola and raisins – soo incredibly good!!
PONY RYDER: Are you a Tea person or a Coffee person?
FRIDA GUSTAVSSON: Lately I’ve been drinking a lot of green tea but to be honest I’m one of those coffee addicted people, I really love to get a great cup of coffee the first thing in the morning.
