Category: Features
Join Ubooker
There’s no better place to shoot a production than the beautiful city of Paris.
Meet Khalil Saidane
During our recent shoot in Paris, we got to meet Khalil Saidane. Whilst having coffee together at Le Bastille we learned some fascinating things about Khalil.
During his studies to be a lawyer, he was approached to try modelling - and this quickly worked out for him. He landed bookings for clients including Coca Cola, menswear brand Jules and was involved in several film productions.
He is enthusiastic about cooking and is training to become a chef. His favorite activities outside of modelling include karate, swimming, cinema, and drawing. Watch his interview to find out what he thinks about the modelling industry and what changes he would like to see.
Meet Karlie Schaphorst
“If you set an intention for your day and work from there, you can make small goals become these big realized dreams.” - Karlie Schaphorst
Karlie knows the value of hard work and patience. Her philosophy on life translates into her work, and keeps her positive and focused. “It’s about a lot of small, long days that lead up to these big breaks for a lot of models.”
Upon arriving in Paris from her hometown in Nebraska (US), Karlie immediately booked a Marie Claire cover shoot in Greece. She then worked on a Parisian movie production for “It Must Be Heaven”, playing a beautiful girl that leads the main character to fall in love with Paris. Beyond work like this, Karlie regularly works for Jour/Ne, the French label that offers gorgeous practical clothing combining simplicity and creativity.
Before modelling full time in France, Karlie was a professional swimmer. Off camera, she now keeps herself stimulated by keeping up on current events, and producing her blog - Skarface.
Sophie Totzauer in 7000 Magazine
During an exhibition in London, Gianluca Santoro was introduced to Jean Baptiste Pauchard, the creative director and owner of 7000 Magazine. Following our recent Mauritius shoot, Gianluca shared with Jean Baptiste Pauchard some of the incredible content that was shot there in collaboration with Belen Antolin, himself and Ubooker. The story of Sophie Totzauer caught Jean Baptiste Pauchard attention and he decided to publish it in the magazine. “I Wanna Be Your Dog” is a beautiful six-page spread in the current issue of 7000 Magazine.
Model: @sophia_totzauer
Magazine: @7000magazine
Photo: @gianluc4_santoro
Mua: @feride_uslu11
Creative direction: @belenantolin
Meet Aiste Miseviciute
Aiste Miseviciute has had a super strong modelling career. She has traveled the world, working with fashion icons including Karl Lagerfeld for German Vogue. Her travels have inspired her to begin her current venture as a food journalist. Aiste now runs her successful blog, Luxeat, where she writes about restaurants and organizes exceptional culinary events. Her latest event, "Culinary Journeys", wasin collaboration with All Nippon Airways. “I brought three chefs from Japan, whose restaurants is impossible to book if you are not introduced by a regular.” Watch her video to find out more
Meet Kristina Velkova
Kristina is a former New Yorker who now calls London home. She has worked in various cities, including Milan, Paris, New York, Miami, Chicago, London, and Sofia. With a diversity of experience across top fashion houses such as Burberry, Naeem Khan, Marchesa, Net-A-Porter, she has also shot hair campaigns for Mark Hill and Lee Stafford. This has landed her editorials in titles including Harper’s Bazaar Bulgaria, Moda Magazine and others. Kristina’s passion for health, beauty and wellness have driven her to create her own venture to sit alongside modelling - the beauty brand, Vitaclean. A filtered Vitamin C and aromatherapy scented shower head that filters the water in your shower and gives you great skin and hair.
In Conversation - Ubooker founder Claudia Wagner + The Bloom Twins
Early in February, we had the pleasure to work closely with the Bloom Twins. The girls have taken both the music and fashion scenes by storm. Since their arrival in London from the Ukraine, the girls have been writing music, producing videos, and shooting magazine editorials and covers. The moment the Twins signed up to our platform, we knew we had to sit down and talk to them, and learn more about their story.
During our conversation on set, the girls shed some light on the level of engagement they have in their work. “We like to be involved in the whole process”, the Twins explained. The girls love to work with creative teams, but are firm to choose the inspiration and help build the look and feel, because it’s “important for you to love it 360 degrees”.
Read more about 'In Conversation - Ubooker founder Claudia Wagner + The Bloom Twins'...
In conversation with Ubooker models Pauline and Sophie
During our recent shoot in Mauritius, we found some downtime and caught up with the girls on a range of interesting topics. Believing that there is no better way to spread awareness of what it takes to be a model and things we would all like to see change in the industry, we thought we’d film this conversation between Pauline and Sophie and share it with you all. Topics covered included the loss of power they both feel from having no control over what goes up on their online portfolio, or onto comp cards.
Read more about 'In conversation with Ubooker models Pauline and Sophie'...
Meet MaryAnn Elizabeth
MaryAnn was first scouted at the age of 14 in the 80’s by Elite Model Management. At that time, her parents would not allow her to become a model - but the oft-said phrase, “If it’s meant to be, it will be” couldn’t be more relevant than in MaryAnn’s case.
Fast-forward 33 years, and MaryAnn finally began her modelling journey at age 47. She now can claim jobs for clients including AVEDA and Numero Russia Magazine, as well as modelling for numerous designers including Deveaux New York.
“I am not sure I would have had the confidence at 14, or even 20 for that matter, to be a successful model. As a young person, I struggled with a lot of self-doubt regarding body image.”
MaryAnn discusses what it’s like to be a model at her age, and the life mottos she likes to live by.
Meet Sophie Totzauer
The volcanic island of lagoons and palm-fringed beaches that is Mauritius provided the perfect backdrop for a stunning bikini shoot.