With her gold locks, piercing eyes and her overall good genetics, Scarlette Otto is quite a stunner. She is 25 years old, her mother is French and her dad is German. Scarlette grew up in a little house in France, going to school in a little city in Germany. When she is not posing for the camera, she is studying communications, languages and arts.
Here is a brief conversation I had with her.
How did you start modeling? Was it something you knew you wanted to do, or it just kind of happened?
I started modeling very young because my mother owned a children’s shop for 20 years. Each season there was a fashion show. It was very funny because I loved being fully dressed-up. Especially in dresses, which is still true today. So modeling kind of happened to me. Honestly, it is a very tough business, in which you really need to be confident because it is all about the looks. And I do not like to be categorized because of how I look. My worth is my qualities as a friend, lover and daughter. This may be why I would have never really decided by myself to become a model.
Are you a full-time model?
No, I am not. It is a hobby.
Have you ever felt pressured into looking a certain way?
Yes. But you are your worst enemy. I always want to be the best and perfect. It is hard to achieve this because I am still a human being and you cannot control what people think about you. Although I don’t want to be superficial, I am very strict with myself because this industry does not care about how big your heart is.
How do you feel about things like diversity within the industry?
The industry is not very diverse. Every girl needs to be very thin and tall. It is not about the person, so the skin color does not matter. Especially on the catwalk. But this is my opinion. It is slightly different if you are in front of the camera because you need to have a unique charisma and attitude: your experiences and emotions depends on you and your background. But this is another subject.
What are some things you dislike/hate about the modeling industry? What do you love?
I already mentioned that I hate the superficiality but you cannot change it. I love spending time with the photographer. It is always fun talking about life and to socialize while nice moments are caught with a camera.
What has been your favorite job so far?
My favorite jobs are still those catwalks done for the Parisian designer Jitrois. The dresses are extremely beautiful. I always feel like a beautiful, strong woman when I wear the brand.
When you’re not busy modeling, what are some of your favorite things to do?
Actually, I am a lazy person but I really like to bake and spend time with my loved ones. But the most of my free time is used to do homework or other stuff for university.
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
Maybe my cellphone, to contact my loved ones. Sunscreen? Water? I am really bad at answering those kinds of questions!
How do you think your friends would describe you?
One close friend of mine always says that I have a big heart. This must be true. That I am often overdressed but in a “natural way.” That is what they call “typisch Scarlette” (typical for Scarlette) but I am not a fashion addict! That I am sentimental, loyal and always caring. And that I’m a little crazy sometimes. Either you like me or hate me.
What is your typical kind of day like, if there’s such a thing for you as a typical kind of day?
A typical day is waking up for university. First, I take care of my dog then I sip on a cup of coffee, I shower and I have breakfast. I drive to the university, take my courses and appreciate my time with my friends. Back at home, I do household stuff, care for my dog again, do my homework… And if I am really lucky, my boyfriend surprises me by visiting me. I love those surprises and evenings.
What’s next for you?
I am almost finished with my studies. I just have to do one up-road stay and to write my bachelor-thesis. I have more time for me now, to find my way and myself. I think it is a very hard part of growing up but it’s also very exciting. I want to learn to appreciate life as much as I can.
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Photographer: Dennis Arndt @llanii