Vital Stats
Age: 20
Nationality: Polish
Résumé: Since embarking on her modeling career just three years ago, Banas has starred in campaigns for Marc Jacobs and Gucci, and walked runways for Miu Miu and Fendi.
Instagram: @banasjulia
Modeling Was Never My Plan… I thought I’d go to university and live a normal life; be a journalist or a lawyer. But I was discovered at 17 when a scout came to my school. I was working as a waitress and I thought I could earn more money this way. I didn’t know much about the modeling industry – I was surprised how much I liked it.
My Job Has Helped Conquer My Fears… I’ve always been afraid of horses and deep water. But then I shot a campaign where I had to jump in water and ride a horse bareback. It was terrifying but amazing and now I love horses.
Sherlock Holmes Taught Me English… I studied English in school but not enough to have a real conversation, and when I came to New York it was really hard not speaking the language. So I watched lots of episodes of Sherlock Holmes. The actors have a very strong British accent and I didn’t understand anything to begin with, but it really helped.
I Love ’60s Music… The Doors are my favorite band ever. I love buying vinyl records; I’ve got hundreds of them back in Poland. I really want to have them in New York, but they’re too heavy, so every time I go home I bring three or four back with me.