Stephanie Matti

Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Thursday, 24 May 2012

An Interview With Astolat

I recently got to interview Astolat for my uni project too, who is also an actress as well as sometimes modelling. Here is an interview with her!

Hello Astolat, how are you?

Hi Stephanie - I'm really good thank you!

Tell us about your name “Astolat”, where did you get that from?

It comes from the legends about King Arthur - I played a character called the Lady of Shalott in a film about Arthurian legends, and an alternative version of her legend calls her Elaine of Astolat. I thought the name was unusual but lovely, so I took it!

So you originally started out as an actress, which do you prefer and why?

They're so different, more so that I realised at first... I love acting and want to make a career out of it, but modelling is refreshing because it's completely about your body and face and the way you use them, so you can escape from thinking for a little while!

How were you discovered?

I needed some acting headshots done when I was about eighteen and a photographer friend of mine said he'd take them for free if I modelled for some portrait shots for him. I did and he passed on the images to a friend of his, who I then did a shoot with... and the rest is history!

What do you think about the modelling world?

It must be very tough once you get to the highest levels, but so far almost everyone I've worked with has been lovely and very professional. One thing that I do find really strange is that when you're on a shoot people carry your things around for you, get you drinks and food, and constantly touch up your face and hair - It's more in my instincts to get stuck in and help to carry round the equipment, but this always makes either makeup artist or hair stylist or stylist panic and go "No! Don't! You'll mess up your hair/nails/face/clothes!!"

One of your best traits is your fiery red hair and freckles, would you say this has helped you gain a better modelling career?

Yes, definitely, especially when I started out, because people would really want to work with me because of my hair, which let me get a lot of experience I might not otherwise have got. Photographers are rightly wary about amateur models, but I tried to take every opportunity to learn a bit more about modelling and really gain from those early sessions. And I'm glad someone likes my freckles - I used to hate them when I was younger!

What do you do when you’re not booked? (Any hobbies, sports, activities etc?)

I do a lot of acting and singing, but I also like to read and my main job is as a private tutor for school students.

Is there anyone in particular whose work you admire and would really love to work for?

Recently I discovered Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott, whose work is really simple but gorgeous. Also, there's that beautiful shot Tim Walker did of Lily Cole a few years ago, where she's on the stairs in that incredible dress - I'd love to work for him too.

What is your favourite city to visit? Why?

New York, because I know it just enough but not enough - it's the kind of place I want to keep going back to and discovering new bits. But I'm also going to Dubrovnik in Croatia soon for the first time, which I'm really excited about.

What music have you been listening to lately?

I think chart music is really good for the mood because it tends to be really upbeat, so lots of that - but the music I've bought recently has been by bands like The Vaccines and The Wombats.

What were you like at school?

Teacher's pet!

Do you have any bad habits?

I tend to be quite lazy. I work very hard - as long as there is someone telling me to. If not, I tend to mess around...

Who is your favourite person to work with so far?

Other than you Stephanie - I did a really fun shoot with a French photographer called Vivienne Mok. We did a great ethereal shoot in a graveyard in southwest London and it was great fun.

Where will the public expect to see you next?

Probably in a play - my next big project is a show about Janis Joplin which will probably be playing in London in the autumn.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Scatty, friendly, happy.

What’s next for Astolat?

Hopefully, a busy few months and mixture of acting and modelling!

Monday, 21 May 2012

An Interview With Liza

For a recent university project, I interviewed a few people for a mini magazine I created. One of the people I interviewed is Liza, a good friend and model I have previously worked with!

Q. Hello Liza, how are you?
A. Hey Steph! Great, enjoying the sun in Madrid.

Q. Where are you from originally and where do you live now?
A. I am from Moscow, I grew up in London and I currently live in Monaco.

Q. Are you agency represented?
A. Nope. I have better luck being freelance. ;)

Q. So do you think being agency representation is over-rated?
A. Absolutely! I find that most modelling agencies (especially those in capital cities) have a extremely narrow criteria. Ofcourse not everyone can be a model, but I believe many will be seeing the rise of the "freelance model" thanks to the internet, emerging trends and new ideas. I may not be 5'10 (the average height for an agency model) but have been in numerous publications and participated in London Fashion Week.

Q. What do you think about the modelling world and fashion world?
A. I get asked this question often and I could go on forever. To put it simply, I have always absolutely loved the fashion industry. I wanted to be a model ever since I was a little girl.
I still love to spend some mornings reading Vogue with a coffee but I feel that sometimes the fashion industry (particularly the modelling industry) can really cross the line. It is very upsetting to hear of girls who just started in this extremely tough world, suffering from depression, anorexia and sometimes taking their own life because they cannot handle it. I was one of the many shocked by the French Vogue issue that featured the 10 year old, Thylane Loubry Blondeau in haute couture. She is a stunning girl but way to young for something like this.
You need to be a strong and confident person to be a model. There is so much more to it then just looking good and posing in front of a camera. You must have a thick skin to take the daily criticism as well as follow a lifestyle which can sometimes be very stressful.
As far as the fashion industry goes, I love it. Fashion is Art.

Q. What type of modelling would you like to do more of and what type of shoots do you hate?
A. I absolutely love doing editorial shoots, particularly ones that are shot in a studio. I sometimes wish I had more in my portfolio. Most models and photographers find it restricting but it gives me perfect environment to work in and I always find that I end up doing the crazier and more experimental editorial stuff. I do not "hate" any shoot I have done. However, I was definitely not a fan of shooting summer collections outdoors in London during January when it was freezing cold.

Q. What do you do when you’re not booked? (Any hobbies, sports, activities etc?)
A. Travel is a big part of my life at the moment. I love seeing new places and experiencing new cultures. I can never be in one place for too long.
When I am home and feeling lazy, I like to read (particularly Russian literature) or draw. Otherwise when I have the energy and the weather is nice, I play tennis or go jetskiing.

Q. What is your daily routine?
A. Tough one, it changes. I spend most of my time working however I always make sure to leave an hour or two to work out. I have a slight obsession when it comes to fitness.
When I am abroad, I like to get up early, walk around, go to galleries and just enjoy the new surroundings. Its more chilled.

Q. What is your favourite city to visit? Why?
A. Way too many! haha! But at the moment it has to be home, Moscow. My family is there and I always love seeing them. It is a wonderful city. I cannot believe how much it changes every year and how much it is growing. It has some of the most amazing restaurants, cafes, clubs and does the best sushi and shisha ;)

Q. What music have you been listening to lately?
A. Again, tough one. My playlist is such a mix of random stuff. A lot of the time, I have lounge playing in the background. I listen to mixes from places like Buddha Bar and Hotel Costes. When I am feeling more active, I tend to go for house and electro. I am a huge fan of Deadmau5, Swedish House Maffia and Sebastien Bennett.

Q. What were you like at school?
A. I was always the weird Russian kid. The weird Russian kids that spent most of her time in the art department, painting. But it never bothered me, I like to be different. ;)

Q. Do you have any bad habits?
A. Hahahahahaha! Yes. I daydream too much!!!

Q. Is there anything you are interested in for a career besides modelling?
A. Ofcourse. I was lucky enough to understand that modelling would be a temporary job so I put a lot of effort into my future. I am currently strongly committed to making a name for myself in the International Art World - Art has always been something that very close to my heart. Also, I am working on a few entrepreneurial projects with my partners (website to be launched very soon). We are keeping fingers crossed.

Q. Describe yourself in 3 words?
A. Artsy, Crazy, Smart

Q. What’s next for you ?
A. Since I am about to turn 23, I am going to be putting all my time into my own projects and art dealing. I would really like to open a chain of galleries at some point and I am going to do everything I can to make sure it works out.

Tuesday, 8 May 2012

Charlie Le Mindu Burka Curfew S/S12

A while back I had a project to create a fashion film, between 2-3 minutes long for a certain designer. The project was in groups, and we had chosen to create the video for designer Charlie Le Mindu, who's designs were literally hair-raising! Within the group, we had to create the outfits ourselves, and with the help of our dancer model (Sarah London) we were able to put together a film. I did the editing, and this was only my second time ever using premier pro - so it's not the best filming or film production, and there are many mistakes I would like to better for the next time I ever have to make a film, but it's all part of the learning process! The project was both stressful and exciting, and while I would say I do enjoy putting a film together, I was happy to see this project come to an end!

Here's the final film produced: