Thanks a bunch for the Flair editorial, Iris looks amazing. If anyone wants a translation of the article, I'll do it ...
Oh, well, I did it anyway ... it's un-betad, I'm not a native speaker, so sorry for any bad mistakes
From being a girl from Salzburg to becoming a supermodel: Iris is the first Austrian on the cover of French Vogue - and on Flair Magazine. At the same time. In the interview the college graduate proves she's not only good looking.
The hint came from Hartmann Nordenholz. The designer duo from Vienna asked me one year ago via E-Mail if I'd already noticed Iris Strubegger. I had. If a model is to be seen on more than 50 runway shows in Milan, Paris, London and New York, at Anna Sui and Lanvin, at Marc Jacobs and Louis Vuitton, at Dries van Noten and Dolce & Gabbana, you cannot overlook her. But Hartmann Nordenholz didn't only had the name, they also had a surprise, they knew her birthplace: St.Johann in Fongau. The first talk with Iris took place in Austria and uncovered this: Iris was discovered 2001 during trip to NY from a model scout. Starting from Hamburg the 17-year-old made a Blitzkarriere, which had it's first highlight in 2002 with an ad compaign for Armani Collezioni. With the high salary Iris could pay half of her studies on the subject "Digital TV" on an advanced technical college in Salzburg. She quit the modelling for her studies. "Viral marketing for cell phones" was the title of her diploma, which made her an engineer in 2007. After that she wanted to know it again: she went once again to Hamburg and from there immediately to Paris. There she opened the Dries van Noten spring/summer collection 2008. This had consequences: She walked 51 shows in march 2008. Since then she'd been booked for numerous editorials and small ad compaigns. Because her beautiful and memorable face with it's high cheek bones, the delicate flawless body and her elegant appearance weren't lost on other people. After the runways Iris conquers the studios of the world's most famous photographers, from Steven Meisel to David Sims, from Mario Testino to Patrick Demarchelier, from Mert Alas to Marcus Piggott. Has the modest girl from back then turned into a b*tch (like being arrogant) by now? No way! Neither at the meeting at Starbucks on the Union Square in NY nor at endless salutations backstage after shows anything on Iris behaviour has changed. A fact that's appreciated by the big players in the fashion business too.
Flair: Iris, you've had an amazing career in on year, what are you proud of the most?
Iris: That's a difficult question. I'm very proud of the cover and the photo story in the French Vogue. But there were so many small and bigger things happening on the way to that which all were great. For example my first major show that I opened - it was Dries van Noten. And of course my first shootings with Mario Testino and all the other Super-photographers.
Flair: What did you thought at the time you've heard you got the cover shooting for Vogue?
Iris: I couldn't believe it at first. I couldn't believe it until I saw my picture on the cover published and with my own eyes. It just feels great and I'm very honored. The feedback I get is fantastic too, I get so many gratulations and compliments.
Flair: Does it have any consequences business-wise for you?
Iris: Definitely! Especially at the fashion weeks in NY, Milan and Paris the cover had been already there. It helped my career a big deal. I hadn't worked for Prada before for example. This time I was casted again. I had to show up three times. I still couldn't believe it until the show took place.
Flair: French Vogue's chief editor Carine Roitfeld called you a "lovely person" and easy to work with.
Iris: That's a big compliment for me. She advised me to cut my hair, which I promptly did. The cut is the best change ever happened to me. Here too I received only positive reactions. The cut is much more modern and emphasizes my type.
Flair: Is it easy to deal with so much success in such a short time?
Iris: I try to stay earth bounded nevertheless. In this business you never know what the next day is about to bring. This day you're on top, the next you're out. That's why I want to stay myself, the simple girl from Salzburg. It's good to see that my character is appreciated.
Flair: What do your family, your BF say to all this?
Iris: My family feels very proud for me, which makes me happy. For my BF - and for me - it's hard because we can't see each other much at the moment. But he's supporting me and without him I couldn't make it.
Flair: Do you like yourself? Do you think yourself's flawless?
Iris: I don't always like myself, it depends on the mood of the day like with everyone, I guess. In no way I am flawless, I'm just a human. There are a lot of things I would like to change, but I try to deal with myself as good as possible.
Flair: Did you always wanted to become a model?
Iris: I never thought I'm pretty. Probably because I never had admirers. When I was discovered at the street I never thought I could be a success. I just htought I try. There's nothing lost if it won't work. But I never imagined I really could become a model. The one who always really did believe in me and helped a bid deal was my booker at Place models in Hamburg, Yannis Nikolaou.
Flair: Do you have a role model?
Iris: No, not really. Of course you always copy one or two tricks from the famous supermodels. But you always have to find your own way.
Flair: In my opinion you made a big step in developing your self-assurance during the last season. How do you feel about it?
Iris: Of course you're constantly developing and learning. Every shooting and every show is a new experience. You got to know new people and you work with amazing photographers and stylists. This - and of course the Vogue cover - is giving me a lot of self-assurance and confidence. Without those jobs it's hard to compete with the other girls. After all there are pretty girls like sand at the shore (German saying, get thess translations: AE: "a dime a dozen" or BE "ten a penny").
Flair: What do you think about the model casting shows on TV?
Iris: When I hear about this, I get a major crisis off it. I only hear about it along the way, mostly coming from the press. In my opinion it's just entertainment for the people, it hasn't much to do with the fashion industry. The girls are promissed something that won't happen.
Flair: How's it like backstage on an international runway show?
Iris: It's extremely interesting to see how it all works. Most of the viewers only see how the girls float on the catwalk in their wonderful gowns all calm and relaxed. But the fewest know how it is like backstage. Some girls only arrive five minutes before the show, because they've been at another one before. Then the Makeup-Artists and Hair-stylists hurl themselves at them to get them ready for the show. There's shouting everywhere and changing clothes in the last second, adjusting something, shoes get tied, Make-up and hair-style getting refreshed and so on. If a complete stranger would walk in he surely would believe himself in a mental-home.
Flair: Is there a particular designer you really love?
Iris: As much as I think about it, I can't choose. Rick Owens or Haider Ackerman are completely my style, I would wear their clothes at home. But they're all great and if you got to them in a personal way you see their collections from a different angle.
Flair: Is there a particular photographer you like to work with the most?
Iris: It's the same like with the designers. Every single phtographer got he's own style and way to work.
Flair: Are you invited to parties?
Iris: Yes, especially during the fashonweeks there are a lot of parties. Unfortunately I hardly can make it during these times, because I don't have the time to go.
Flair: What are you reading at the moment?
Iris: The third part of "Eragon" from Christopher Paolini.
Flair: What music do you like to listen to?
Iris: Actually I'm listening to everything, according to my mood. But Alternative Rock, Hard Rock and Grunge are likely to stay my favorites.
Flair: You're being celebrated in the internet ("The Incredibel", "Top New Face", "I love you" and so on) - do you notice?
Iris: I read those things, but then I'm thinking "It's just me".
Flair: Obviously you're not against nude shots?
Iris: It depends on the job. The agency knows it and asks if it's okay. If one Steven Meisel comes along and asks, I say "yes".
Flair: When do you say no?
Iris: When I absolutely can't do anymore ( I interpret as "being too exhausted to")
Flair: What are the negative sides of the model business?
Iris: The biggest problem is the timing. In principal I never know where I am to be on the next day. Sometimes you have to go to the studio immediately after arriving with the plane - without sleep, without taking a shower. It's all decided at short notice, therefore you need to be very flexibel. I had to learn that first. It's the hardest when I want to make plans with my BF.
Flair: And what's the positive side?
Iris: It surely isn't a dreamjob, but a very hard one. But it's so much fun too. In what other job could I possibly make so many experiences at age 25?
Flair: How much do you earn?
Iris: I just want to say I'm well-paid.
Flair: Is there any aim you want to achieve?
Iris: Like every other model I'm hoping for a big compaign. I did some smaller ones, for D&G, Balenciaga, Pollini and Pepe Jeans. My career is still developing. You have to invest a lot at the beginning, before you get something back.
Flair: Do you think about the time after?
Iris: Of course I think about what comes after the modelling. You never know how long you'l be able to work in the business. I simply enjoy the time and the success, I know very well how I lucky I've been. Unfortunately I don't know what I want to do afterwards. I'm admiring the people who know that for certain. I've never been that lucky. But what I nknow for sure is, I want to make a family with my BF and live in Austria .
I cannot wait to see the opportunities this campaign season will hold for Iris 
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