Robyn Lawley's Cookbook Deal
You say “model” and you think to a diet. Raw carrots, no oil, no fats, don’t even mention the sugar. Shortly, an endless sadness. Those who walk the catwalk don’t move a step in the kitchen. But, on the contrary … On the contrary, there are those who are ready to let us take back this stereotype. Or “eat back”, actually. If they once were all about yoga teachers and fitness trainers (that's so '90), now the models want to be chefs. This is demonstrated by the food blogs by Valentina Zelyaeva and the gastronomical shows (that are broadcasted on YouTube) by Jourdan Dunn. Without forgetting, obviously, Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann and her initiative for pop up restaurants, and Karlie Kloss with her charity cookies. To better understand this phenomenon, we interviewed two super models that, with their ideas, are revolutionizing the concept of Fashion & Food. Their names are Anne-Marie van Dijk and Robyn Lawley, they founded respectively CLEANSE and ROBYN LAWLEY EATS, so here is what they told us.
WHICH IS YOUR FIRST FOOD MEMORY?
Anne-Marie van Dijk: "A banana, which unfortunately I no longer like".
Robyn Lawley: "I don't have a specific memory, but I do remember my mother's dinners, she would always make vegetables, lamb chops and mash potato".
FOOD AND FASHION. WHY, IN YOUR OPINION, IS IMPORTANT THAT MODELS TALK ABOUT EATING?
Anne-Marie van Dijk: "I think it’s fabulous that models talk and blog about food, healthy eating and share recipes etc. Many models have a passion for cooking and some of them are excellent chefs such as Sessilee Lopez who runs her own blog, “The Best by Sess”. A successful model knows how to take proper care of her body. She has mastered the fine balance between proper nutrition and physical fitness. I think it’s great that those models share their tips with the rest of the world".
Robyn Lawley: "Models are very much in the spotlight, our job is completely based on how we look, so I think it's only natural people are inquisitive about what we eat. Being a plus size model can unfortunately have negative connotations about what we eat, however most of my models friends, eat what they want in moderation and of course as healthy as they can".
SOMETIMES IS HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MODELS EAT EVERYTHING. HOW IS THE “RELATIONSHIP” BETWEEN FASHION WORLD AND FOOD? HARD, EASY ETC...
Anne-Marie van Dijk: "That’s an excellent question. Any profession that focuses on the physical body as a tool or medium, will increase a person’s awareness and sensibility around food. That is why I believe it is so important to offer models a support system that is uniquely tailored to them. The industry comes with its own set of challenges and expectations, just like with any other profession. Without the right guidance and set of tools, it can be difficult for models to maintain a working weight in a healthy way".
Robyn Lawley: "Food and fashion in my opinion mix incredibly well as food has trends like fashion, and most designers, models, stylists etc love restaurants and good quality food. At 90% of my shoots there always is amazing food to eat on set".
WHY HAVE YOU CREATED CLEANSE/ROBYN LAWLEY EATS?
Anne-Marie van Dijk: "There are currently few programs in place that support models in their careers as well as in their personal lives on the level of health and wellness. CLEANSE was created to provide a solution to this problem and has been exclusively designed for models and their agencies. We work with a team of specialized professionals and design wellness plans for the models that are tailored to their unique needs as well as those expressed by her agency. In essence, we build a bridge between a model’s personal needs and her agency’s professional requirements. I believe CLEANSE can help answer one of the industry’s biggest challenges".
Robyn Lawley: "I created it for myself, I love food photographing. It was also a way for me to maintain my cooking hobby while learning an art form. I've been very fortunate enough to land a cookbook deal so lately I've been cooking and photographing for it. It was my blog that got me that deal".
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURIT COURSE?
Anne-Marie van Dijk: "My favorite meal? There are so many! I love exotic meals that are made with fresh, preferably organic, ingredients such as fresh fruit salads and homemade Pad Thai’s in Thailand".
Robyn Lawley: "I love a great steak. But I definitely enjoy baking deserts and sweets the most".
WHERE IN THE WORLD YOU ATE THE BEST?
Anne-Marie van Dijk: "In Malaysia - I was staying in a beautiful resort for a photo shoot for Numero. The food was exquisite. Delicious, ripe fruit, exotic freshly prepared meals. Organic nectars. It was amazing!".
Robyn Lawley: "Paris, nothing compares to the French bread".
YOU SAY THAT BEING IN SHAPE HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH FASHION CAREER. IS POSSIBLE TO LIVE THIS PROFESSIONAL DUTY LIGHTLY WITHOUT THINK ALWAYS ABOUT FOOD?
Anne-Marie van Dijk: "Modeling is hard work - As a model we are expected to be in great physical shape, have boundless energy, mental clarity and natural poise. You need a team of experts to guide you with that, and that’s exactly what CLEANSE does; we work with a team of top health specialists, offer free classes (yoga, cooking, skincare etc.), a 24/7 Help Desk and create wellness plans that are tailored to the model and her agency’s requirements. There are some amazing role models in the industry, such as Doutzen Kroes, Valentina Zelyeava and Saskia de Brauw, who show us that modeling can be done in a healthy way".
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