JASMOLOGY BLOG INTERVIEW
As a journalist who works primarily in the world of fashion, art and design, I am fortunate enough to meet and interview those people about whom one usually only gets to read. These are individuals who stand out from the crowd for possessing exceptional and extraordinary creative abilities, impeccable visual senses, as well as having the skill for being consistently innovative.
Soon into my job I was surprised to discover that often these “special” few whose success has founded on their ability to create “pieces” that are simply visual poetry, sometimes are at a loss for words when it comes to being interviewed, and there have been times when I have walked away from an interview, only to realise that from our conversation I have gained nothing on paper that would be at all interesting to print.
Eva at the Fendi showroom in Cannes (France)
As my job description needs to include the frippery that frames these creative worlds, I also often need to also talk to models who are trading on their looks, not talent. For this reason journalists are quick to discount them for their intellect, and often brush these beauties aside, offering them either as series of two banal dimensional questions, or base their line of inquiry around the obvious sex appeal asking questions such as “How do you like your men?”.
When lines of inquiry remain like this models just remain objectified, blank canvases upon which us, the public can project or fantasies. However, one of my most enlightening interviews came from a young model, albeit a rather successful one.
Eva Riccobono, not only managed, in just a few minutes to market herself like a seasoned agent, but guided our conversation, interspersing it a series of illuminating anecdotes of her life as a model, and the lessons she learnt, which were insightful in a way I would have expected to come from someone reflecting on a lifetime of experience.
So the surprise with Eva is that she canny in a way that simply spells success, even though to date her jump start came from her looks.
Eva Riccobono with Stefano Tonchi
Eva has been one of those very few lucky to have worked with the best in fashion; E
llen Von Unwerth, Bruce Weber, Mario Testino, Patrick Demarchelier and Steven Meisel, - and for the best in fashion; posing for the covers of numerous Vogues, as well and starring in ad campaigns for the likes of
Giorgio Armani, Valentino and Christian Dior, even being chosen to grace the infamously sexy Pirelli calendar.
Eva by Ellen Von Unwerth for Vogue Germany
Aware of the limited longevity of a model’s career and fired by an inner passion Eva is now pointed towards the world of acting and film and as already stared in a mainstream Italian slapstick comedy called
Grande, grosso e Verdone (2008). That said, Eva has always been determined to do it her way, one which means happiness comes before success.
from Grande, Grosso & Verdone (2008)
Do you like those parties that come with the red carpet out front?
ER: I have recently come back from the Film Festival in Cannes. That backdrop is the perfect example of what the red carpet is really all about. The film festival draws a crowd where there is just a handful of people who can give you something (professionally), and millions of people who are there to get something out of the event (professionally). Everyone is under incredible pressure so the whole situation is quite frightening.
Eva at the Cannes Film Festival
Behind those slick red carpet camera shots there is another whole lurid, crazy world. First off , there are countless prostitutes, and then there are the freakish fans. During my week there I did a shoot, and for some reason returned to my five star hotel dressed up and in full make up. For the duration of the festival there was a crowd of fans camped outside waiting to see who was coming and going. When I arrived they got agitated, because they knew that I must be someone, as I was dressed up, but they didn’t recognize me. I heard them asking who I was, and someone said, “ She’s the model/actress Eva Riccobono” and they instantly became hysterical, almost crying and yelling out my name. It completely unnerved me. I could not believe that there is a group of people out there who are prepared to behave like that, completely crazy, for someone they didn’t even know
Do you have friends within your professional industries?
ER: Yes, but only non-models. I have been really disappointed on the friendship front with other models. I would lose friends over silly things such as; if I got a campaign that they wanted. Being a model is very hard, you are constantly being judged for something over which you have very little control. If you don’t come from a stable background you end up becoming a diva – completely insecure and power playing the whole time. There are many people in my industry who like that, and I will always give them a wide berth.
What is the worst experience you have had in your career?
ER: I was chosen to do the catwalk in Paris for Marc Jacobs’ collection for Louis Vuitton (march 2010) . It was a very special moment because he had decided to move out of the “catwalk model box”, using women who were perhaps a little older and not stick thin, such as Elle Macpherson. I felt honoured to have been chosen. Then there was an accident on the road on the way to the airport, I got stuck in traffic, missed the plane and so missed the show. I was in tears because I was looking forward to it so much. 
Wish You Were Here - Louis Vuitton F/W 2010.11
Eva, you have moved from modelling to acting. Has it been hard to rebrand yourself?
ER: Abroad its not so hard to switch careers, just look at Mila Jovovich, but in Italy it is almost impossible. Here people are confused about me, even though I have been in a big budget film, but slowly I am starting to see some signs; I nearly jumped for joy when I tried to book at train and I asked by the man on the phone “Are you the actress, Eva Riccobono?”
I have always understood that changing from being a model to an actress would be an uphill battle. You get to be a model if you are born lucky enough to have a certain look, while to be a good actress requires one to study seriously. Its about skill and talent, so I have been studying with a coach in Rome for the last 5 years, I did a stint trying my luck in Los Angeles, but being there made me appreciate being in Italy even more, I love my country, I feel European and this is where I see my future.
Do you collaborate with Matteo Ceccarini on projects?
ER:Yes, I support Matteo. I get to be the first ear to hear his tracks. Compared to him, I am a complete ignorant, my tastes are much more less sophisticated, but having this much more “commercial” ear for him, is a good way to see if his choices can translate to a wider audience.
We have even ended up doing a track together. It all happened in a very spontaneous way, I was just listening to a track and I started to sing along, and we ended up releasing a CD.
Eva & Matteo at home
FAVOURITES!
MILANESE SHOPPING
Zara (their jeans have a really good fit)
(mid priced fashion) Purple
Boule de neige
(hand made shoes ) Spelta
DREAM ESCAPES
Bali
Ibiza
Bolgheri (Tuscany)
Benares & Varanasi (India)
jasmology.com
http://www.jasmology.com/blog/2011-08/eva-riccobono-matteo-ceccarini/
