Model KASIA STRUSS has gone from insecure fashion rookie to one of fashion’s hottest names. In the season’s sexiest after-dark pieces, she tells EVE CLAXTON why there are no limits.
Model Kasia Struss is sitting in the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, not far from the apartment she calls home. Even in boyfriend jeans and a simple tank, without a scrap of makeup, she is a vision of serenity and elegance. No wonder then, that the 27-year-old has become an industry favorite, securing campaigns for top designers including Jil Sander, Valentino, Christian Dior and Miu Miu. Here, she talks to The EDIT about her Polish upbringing, her life in fashion, and her love for sunsets, oysters and absinthe.
Where did you grow up?
In a small city called Ciechanów, close to Warsaw; we’re famous for our castle and beer. My mum is a teacher and my dad has his own business. I didn’t know much about fashion before I left Poland aged 18; back then, the biggest designers in my mind were Zara and H&M.
How did you get into modeling?
As a teenager I was pretty insecure about my body. I was super skinny, tall, always wearing baggy clothes.But people would say to me, “You should definitely be a model.” So [in 2005] I sent some pictures to a magazine that was holding a modeling competition. They chose me and I signed with an agency soon after. I was 17 at the time, but I waited a year to finish school before I started traveling.
What was your breakout moment?
It was my first fashion week season [FW06]. I had already walked in a lot of smaller shows in London, but then on the last day of Paris, I booked Miu Miu and Louis Vuitton on the same day. That was incredible for me.
What has been your favorite modeling job so far?
It was in 2009 – the cover of Vogue Italia, with the legendary photographer Steven Meisel. The idea of the shoot was to give us the clothes and then we had to use our own cameras, so I did a selfie in my bedroom. I had natural makeup and a Valentino dress, and I ended up on the cover with four really amazing models: Lara Stone, Christy Turlington, Gisele Bündchen and Natalia Vodianova.
What’s been your weirdest job?
Nothing is weird to me anymore, I’ve seen it all! I love fashion because it’s so open-minded. Anything is possible and there are no limits. I remember a Dolce & Gabbana campaign, in fall 2007, when [me and the other models] posed with half-naked boys. We were representing woman power – that was fun!
What’s your morning routine?
I drink warm water with lemon; it gives your body energy and helps digestion. Then I do my facial steps: cleanse, tone, moisturize.
What do you do last thing at night?
My facial steps again! I change brands a lot but I try to use products that are natural and organic. Right now, I’m using Dr. Hauschka Rose Day Cream, I love the smell. I also love rose water to refresh my skin, and I always use moisturizer with a sunblock.
What’s your personal style like for day and night?
During the day my look is pretty casual – just jeans and a tank – but for evening, I like to dress up and wear heels. They have to be comfortable heels, though, as I love to dance when I go out – my favorites are my Alexander Wang Antonia sandals. For the last event I went to, I wore an Anthony Vaccarello x Versus black silk jumpsuit that was open at both sides, so it was very sexy.
What do you love to do in NY?
There’s an amazing cinema near where I live in Brooklyn called Nitehawk, where you can watch a great movie and eat and drink. I go there I lot. I also like Maison Premiere in Brooklyn; it has the most incredible menu of oysters and absinthe.
What’s your favorite workout?
I do Pilates twice a week. I hate the gym – I don’t like the atmosphere or the machines – and yoga is a little bit too slow for me. Pilates is peaceful, so it’s perfect.
What was the last book you read?
Eat Pretty by Jolene Hart. It looks at beauty from the inside by focusing on nutrition. It makes sense – we are what we eat. If you want to look good and healthy, you need to eat good food.
Does that mean you’re vegan?
I’m Polish, I love meat! But I’m very selective about it; I stick to organic. And I like to know where my food is coming from, which is hard when you travel because it’s difficult to always be sure.
What’s your idea of heaven?
My favorite time of day is sunset, so heaven for me would be a 24-hour sunset with a bottle of rosé.
What do models do too much of?
Selfies! Don’t you think? I only do one once every two weeks. Mostly I post travel photos, my recent work and events. Fun moments, because there’s a lot of fun in fashion and I want to show that.
What’s next for you?
I’m so busy that I don’t really think about the future, I live day by day. That’s what’s amazing about modeling; there are so many doors open and so many opportunities. You just never know.
