International supermodel Jenny Rei on her success journey, clothing line, and the biggest learning in the world of modeling.
Jenny Rei, How did modeling happen to you?
When I was 6, my brother and I were asked by a family friend who was a big photographer, if he could propose us for an advertising shoot he did for a big insurance company in Germany. From then on in my mind, this was a real career option for me. I did a few jobs during school and then decided that modeling was what I’ll be doing. The beginning was really tough because I wanted to be a fashion model and not only do small, local advertising, and e-com. I’m not super tall and olive-skinned, back then in Germany I wasn’t really the kind of girl that would be working fashion or big jobs. So I left to go abroad, first Israel, Spain, London, then the Middle East and India. I’ve worked in the Middle East and Asia a lot ever since because people appreciated my look and type. And 3 years ago, I tried my luck in the US and it has been amazing ever since.
Jenny Rei, What was your first professional modeling assignment? How was the experience?
My first fashion modeling assignment was in 2011. I’ve done a few jobs here and there but never anything amazing and I just barely survived month by month at the time and put all my money into buying the next flight to work in another country. While in India for the first time modeling, I got myself 3 editorials for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia in the Maldives. I used to email and send my images to all the photographers that were shooting magazines wherever I went. It was the best job ever and the foundation of everything that came after. I’ve been to the Maldives before and it’s my favorite place on earth. The team was amazing, everyone was so nice to me though I had no real clue what was going on and I loved the vibe and mood of the shoot. I was so proud and finally started living my dream.
From modeling to Rei by Jenny Rei. What inspired you to start a clothing line?
As a model, it’s always good to have a plan B. I never finished university and I don’t have a degree so as long as I’m young I can try out everything that I may want to do and see in which direction it takes me. I love fashion and I love to design. I taught myself how to sew, drape, make patterns, and do my own embroidery at 16 years old and actually started selling dresses to friends back then. I love creating and making all sorts of things. My great-grandmother also made clothes. When I started my line I basically just picked up something again that was a hobby of mine as a teen.
A brief about your clothing line.
Rei by Jenny Rei is mainly a resort wear line. We love classical, feminine silhouettes and not going after trends. Every piece is handmade ethically by our tailors, we try to only source sustainable fabrics and dye. All our embroidery is hand-made and speaks for the amazing Indian craftsmanship that we try to support. We manufacture in our own workshop and not in a factory to have happy tailors and happy working conditions. Besides resort wear, Rei brought out Abaya, Indian wear, and swimwear collection. Rei is a combination of fashion and art: working together with my now deceased grandfather Armin who was an artist who hand-painted unique fabrics for us and created partly limited edition pieces. Rei hopefully seduces our customers in a world of adventurous bohemian travels and the empowerment of the female body.
Biggest learning in the world of modeling till date?
As a model, you’re only working because of your looks and you’re sitting on the tip of the iceberg of advertising and consumerism. In that sense, it can be a very shallow job. You basically don’t have a voice, because you’re not really seen as a person but as an object to sell a product. From the industry, daily castings, and 99% rejections, to your agents you’re constantly being fed insecurities, time is working against you and you never going to be good enough.
Tell us about your project Trash Mermaid.
My biggest love is the ocean and free diving. I wanted to tell a story and document the horrible effects around Bombay and India’s coasts where I was living at the time via the metaphor of a Mermaid. Half-human -half-animal, who is stuck in our trash, since humans and animals alike will suffer from us destroying the planet. I’ve planned the whole concept for over a year and it took me about 2 years to finally publish it online because I wanted to have really strong imagery.
I’ve gotten a lot of amazing feedback from my ‘Trash Mermaid’ photography project and that was when I knew it was bigger than just images. The Soho House Script Writing contest this year came around and I thought I just take a chance. I taught myself how to write a script in a week and made it into the top 10 winners worldwide. Right now, I’m in the pre-production of ‘Trash Mermaid’ the short film that also deals with the other ways we are destroying the oceans. From plastics, pesticides, acidification of our waters, to abandoned nets, shark finning, and the biggest issue: overfishing. It’s something that hasn’t gotten a lot of attention yet.
Jenny Rei, If not modeling, what you would have been doing in your career?
I’d probably be doing any of the other things I do right now on the side, acting, writing, tell stories, photography, art direction, painting, design, making films, or retouching.
RAPID FIRE
Favorite watch: Van Cleef and Arpels Dancing Planets
Favorite makeup brand: Benefit
Favorite car: An old MG convertible or the Mercedes G Class
Favorite holiday destination: Maldives
Favorite footwear brand: Simmi Shoes
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