Our summer cover really puts you in the mood for endless days by the sea. But who is behind the successful shot? Our cover model Silja Dent started in the business at the age of fourteen and is already a real pro at 21. In this interview, she tells us why she had to learn to give up some of the control and which outfit from our cover shoot she would have preferred to pack.
FACES: Silja, who are you and what do you do when you’re not in front of the camera for a shoot?
Silja Dent: When I’m not in front of the camera, I enjoy spending time with family and close friends – especially after long trips where you’re often alone a lot. I love cooking and I like to focus on nutrition and self-care. For me, “feel good food” is more than just what’s on the plate – it’s about the whole ritual: cooking intuitively, shopping seasonally, trying out new things. Pilates, matcha walks and small self-care routines help me to reconnect with myself and prepare myself mentally and physically for new jobs.
F: How did you get into the modeling business?
SD: I was approached by a scout in my small hometown when I was 14 – he gave me his business card and said I should come to Hamburg to do some polas. I had no idea what “polas” were and never thought that he would become my future booker. I started out in the industry without any background – pretty much straight away and without much preparation. Today I’m grateful that it turned out exactly that way.
F: What is the most important lesson modeling has taught you so far?
SD: Modeling has definitely taught me to be patient. Many things happen in the background and you often don’t know immediately what has paid off. At the same time, I’ve had to learn to take risks and be spontaneous: new cities, new people, jobs that come up last minute – my mantra “go with the flow” helps me with that!
“Modeling is anything but luxurious”
F: How does it feel to see yourself on a magazine cover?
SD: Surreal! My first magazine cover – therefore something very special. Mainly because the route means a lot to me: Mallorca has a special place in my heart, and it was a great feeling to have been involved behind the scenes – from the planning and location scouting to three intensive days of shooting with a great team. You often don’t get to experience publications yourself – so it’s all the better when a moment like this becomes tangible. For me, it’s a sign to move on. And certainly not the last cover – I’m manifesting that.
F: Which look from our cover shoot would you most like to have taken home with you?
SD: I fell a little bit in love with the Chanel swimsuit. But the Jacquemus outfit is a close second!
F: What misconceptions did you have about the modeling business before you became a part of it yourself?
SD: I got into the modeling business very early on and was basically thrown in at the deep end. I didn’t really think much about it back then – but as a little girl, I definitely imagined things differently. Now, at 21, I can say that modeling is anything but luxurious. It involves a lot of time, risk and money, especially at the beginning. Traveling, living in new environments for several weeks (often in a country you’ve never been to before and having to find your way around on your own) – it’s not always comfortable or first class. It takes a lot of willpower and perseverance not to give up on the dream. It helps me to be grateful, to see the big picture and to realize how far I’ve already come – I’m proud of that.
“Making mistakes and growing from them is part of the job”
F: What advice would you like to give to other young women?
SD: Especially when you’re still young: your twenties are the time to take risks, live it up and learn. Making mistakes and growing from them is part of it – it’s a dance! As long as you don’t have any big commitments, take full advantage of this freedom. Otherwise you’ll get stuck in one place far too quickly, trapped in the same old routine.
Q: Where do you feel most at home?
SD: With my family and my closest friends.
F: What snacks, music and other little good-mood makers are essential for a shoot?
SD: I’m a Meal Prep Queen – I usually have my own food with me, you can almost always find almonds in my bag. Music is also important – I can’t do anything without a playlist. At the moment I’m listening to a lot of Sade, but it changes all the time.
F: What is your biggest goal that you are working towards – as a model or also as a private person?
SD: You won’t hear me talk much about my goals – they’re just in my journal. I’m more the type to talk about it when it’s done.
Q: Finally, can you tell us something about yourself that one would hardly guess at first glance?
SD: What one might not think: I’m actually a total control freak. I first had to learn to be spontaneous. When my booker used to write “Flight is booked, you’re flying tomorrow – ready?”, it was pure stress for me. I’m now getting more and more used to the unpredictability of everyday life and learning to really go with the flow.
If you want to keep up to date with Silja, follow her Instagram channel.
Our May cover model also gave us an insight into her everyday life as a model.
Photos: © Robert Larsen
