Chloe Memisevic is one of the most enchanting faces in the modelling scene right now. At only 18, Chloe Memisevic has already appeared in several magazines such as Italian Vogue, Elle, Love and i-D. As well as making her mark in editorials, Chloe was also chosen as the face of Marc by Marc Jacobs’ lookbook for resort 2012. Chloe’s accomplishments come as no surprise, at a statuesque 180 cm (5’11), it’s hard not to wonder if she was designed to model.
Born to a Croatian father and a Serbian mother, Chloe was born and raised in Sweden. Her parents moved to Sweden because of the troubles in Yugoslavia at that time, Yugoslavia has since perished. Memisevic remembers her childhood well: “until the age of 5, we lived in the north of Sweden. From that age I recall this daily ritual of mine where go down to the garden and water the flowers. Even when the garden was covered in snow and when the flowers were gone, I would still love to go out and water them.” Chloe then moved down to the south of Sweden, in Malmo, spending the rest of her childhood there.
Been described as “the epitome of unique” and “one to watch” Chloe has not always had it easy. At the age of 12, Chloe stood at a statuesque 5’11, she was so tall that local doctors thought she suffered from a growing disease, so serious that tests had to be run on her, “after the tests the doctors told my parents they had estimated my height to be 2.09 m when I had finished growing” she continued “luckily that never happened, I pretty much stopped growing at age of 12.”
Chloe can thank her height for her already, incredibly successful modeling career. On modeling, Chloe says, “since I’ve always been very tall, people would tell me I would one grow up to be a model one day…designers and stories have inspired me.” On the most exciting and rewarding part of modeling, Chloe admits its a “privilege to work with iconic photographers and designers…To base yourself in a fantastic city such as London or New York is both exciting and rewarding and usually not the normal path for a 17 year old, still in high school.” Chloe’s favourite designs include, Givenchy, Balenciaga, Celine, Jil Sander, Proenza Schouler and Ann Demeulemeester.
On the lowlights of modeling, Chloe noted that “being separated from friends and family and (being) hindered by different time zones” is one of the hardest aspects to modeling, She continued, “and shooting summer collections on location during the winter – I hate the cold!”
With great acclaim of course comes great criticism. The dailymail, a successful British newspaper has called Memisevic “horribly emaciated” and Joan Smith from the Independent, said she “looks like a woman who is barely acquainted with the concept of a proper meal.” Chloe fought back, saying “it’s hurtful when people want to give you the stamp of being anorexic…I can’t change anyone’s mind, it’s up to them to open their eyes. People have a hard time realizing that there are a few people out there who have a abnormally fast metabolisms. I’ve faced it (the criticism) and I won’t let it bother me no more.”Chloe continued, “I don’t think it’s fair that particular journalists should put their own obvious insecurities onto me.”
On the future, Chloe teased, “There will be lots of work coming this fall. Hopefully i’ll keep busy and enjoy what i’m doing as much as i do now.”
I would like to thank Chloe Memisevic for taking the time for this interview. Written by Jacob Appleton.
