exclusive interview with Victoria van Violence | model story 28/08/2013
Hello Victoria! Thanks so much for taking the time to answer some questions for our readers. Please start by telling us something about yourself and how you got into alternative modeling?
Hey Iva, thanks for your interest in my work and
the interview request. My name is Victoria, I am from Frankfurt, Germany,
student of Philology and I am 24 years old. I got into modeling by
accident. I asked a photographer for a shooting just for fun and
ended up on the cover of a well-known German tattoo magazine. And so
it started basically.
Q: To talk about your gorgeous look could probably take a
year, seriously, you look fantastic! Sexy, feminine, a bit
dangerous and 100% unique. Really love the punk-rock note in your
style. Do you have any influences that actually inspired?
A: Awww .. thank you for the nice words. The funny things is, that
I'm into punk since I was 13 years old and in school I was some kind
of misfit and now I earn money with what I am. Weird thing though. I
get my inspiration from the music I listen to, my friends and
awesome people like Nina Hagen, Maila Nurmi, Joan Jett, Debbie
Harry, Vivienne Westwood, etc. But basically the inspiration comes
from the inside - I simply do what I want to do.
Q: How long are you into alternative modeling?
A: Actually not that long, it's been 2 years now. I started in late
summer 2011.
Q: Talking about the beginnings, what was
the most challenging part in getting into alternative modeling?
A: Nothing! I started by accident, I had no proper goals, no
particular aims. I just did it for fun - and that's still my
intention. And I've been overtaken by all the success and the great
jobs, shooting and collaborations I'm doing.
Q: How did you get your nickname, is there any symbolic
meaning for you?
A: To be honest; nope! Victoria van Violence is just an alliteration
and sounded good to me. I have a special relationship to all that
royal-stuff so I definitely needed that „van“ in the name.
Q: You look like a Goth princess from a Tim Burton Fairy
tale. It's almost impossible to not like your green hair! Are you
self-stylist?
A: Oh thank you. That's a proper tip of the head because I'm one of
his biggest fans on earth. Yes, sure I am self-stylist. I think my
style isn't that special, I just grab what I find in the wardrobe
and wear it. Some people make science of things like this – posting
pictures of their daily outfit. I think style and clothes are just
something you have and you shouldn't think to much about it.
Q: There might be a little difference
between all the photo-shoots you've been working on, but there is
always a note of glamour, extravagance... Would you connect your
photo-shoots with your personality?
A: Of course. You can't express yourself in another way.
Q: I've noticed lots of cool ink on your body. When did you
get your first tattoo, what was it? Guide me a bit in your inked
madness.
A: Inked madness? Haha! I got my first tattoo when I was 16, just a
little star on my back. Nothing special. But I wanted a tattoo so
bad since I am 8. So it started. And of course I did more and more
and more and it's not finished yet. I think it is quite boring to
explain all the tattoos I have, fortunately I have some pictures
where everyone can have a look and see some of them. The artwork is
not always perfect, but that's fine. I did some tattoos in squats,
in my kitches, got some from friends but also by great artists. Is
some kind of patchwork, and that's what I like.
Q: Would you consider tattooing as a way
of self expression?
A: Yes, sure. My tattoos always tell a story, even it is just that I
got it drunk in a squat. I can perpetuate things I love on my body.
Q: What has being a tattooed woman taught you: about
society, yourself and the idea of beauty?
A: Nothing. I don't care about what society thinks about it, I have
my own idea of beauty and I don't mind if other people don't like
what I'm doing or what I am. You shouldn't care about what other
thinks.
Q: What is the beauty trick you do before a photo-shoot?
Share some tricks with us.
A: Haha. To be honest I don't have „beauty tricks“. I always have
big bruises on my legs and I always need camouflage make-up for
those.
Q: Do you have any favorite photo session?
A: Difficult question, actually I'm really happy with everything we
created the past two years.
Q: You've been featured on many tattoo magazines, including "Skin Deep". Tell me a bit about
this collaboration.
A: Skin Deep is an awesome magazine. But I actually can't say much
about the collaboration. They are all nice guys and we wrote some
mails and I was so happy when I received my copy!!
Q: Do you give some ideas to your photographers about a
photo-session (the creative part) or you keep it professional?
A: It depends on the shooting. When I have jobs I mostly do what's
required and do my job. But when I do free works I mostly have
ideas, outfits etc. and the whole team works together.
Q: What are some of your other hobbies outside professional modeling?
A: My boyfriend, my family, my friends :-) Punk rock, music,
concerts.
Q: People could be ruff, jealous, crazy, super-cool... As a
model, what are some of your greatest challenges or obstacles you
face?
A: Actually I don't have any problems. I don't care about what other
people say and I just do what I want to do.
Q: What's your best motivational lesson for the new
models?
A: Stay true! Be yourself and don't give a shit about what others
think!
Please feel free to share your feature plans and your website.
I am not good in planning, I just see what's happening. But I am
going to move to Berlin soon and I'm sure I will do some amazing
shoots, will meet amazing people and will have a great time. And
time will tell the rest.
https://www.facebook.com/Victoria.van.Violence
http://www.victoriavanviolence.com/