Es ist wieder soweit: unser Gast-Autor Julian Daynov entführt uns in den Kleiderschrank einer weitern Berliner Super Woman: Model, Agentin und Socialite Maria Gieseke, die für SoSUE die Tore zu ihrem Zuhause und ihrem Dressing Room öffnet und offen über ihr Leben, ihre Karriere und ihre Lieblings Fashion Pieces spricht.
It's not often the case for us ordinary mortals to meet a real royal - the kind of such, who always look flawless, behave flawless, talk flawless and fully live up the their role to evoke admiration for their ease, finesse, class and gracious selves. I consider myself truly lucky to have met one and even be able to have her so close to my house and so close to my heart.
Bright energy, shining aura, true sole and golden heart - this is how I got to see Mary every single time we bumped into each other at dinner parties of friends or at events around Berlin.
There has always been the luminous surface of an incredibly beautiful, incredibly well dressed, incredibly well educated woman, but far more have i been getting impressed - above her artistic looks - by her inner beauty beyond the layers of her perfect outfits, perfect hair, perfect make-up, perfect smile.
To me, she always was the queen of every ball, the center of every crowd, the theme of every talk - reason enough for me to always be curious about the woman behind her looks, the story behind her beauty and own elegance.
Discovered to be a campaign testimonial for a toy company at the early age of 8, she quite quickly grew into her own path of beauty, catwalks and professional modeling and went on to numerous adventures in the world of high fashion. Being a significant part of the modeling business, she even found her own modeling agency and grow it into an international scope and over 200 models filed in her portfolio.
Over teas and tears, Mary and I talked about life, her sense of fashion, about beaut and about making deliberate choices every day - starting with the outfit and ending with the mindset one put on.
Mary, you are obviously a true fashion lover, how would you describe your personal style?
I am a very eclectic mix of artistically, bohemian and Island-chic influences. The way i dress reflect my flamboyant and free spirit. I basically follow my inner self and feeling towards an outfit, towards a look ... oh, and i am not afraid of colors.
If we ask your friends about typical Mary-style things, what would they pick as your signature pieces?
Definitely they will start with my thing for headbands - it all started over 20 years ago while i was on Mykonos, rather did i find it back then very practical, when the wind is playing wild with your long hair. Then i started realizing that it always rounds up any look in a very good way. I could most probably wear a head piece to any of my outfits - i simply love that. Another thing people often connect me with are the probably very typical Danish looking knitted socks i wear. I have them with me nearly all the time. I guess this is rooted in my Danish origin, where coziness and cocooning is something very essential; we can look very glam and chic, but are always „down to earth“ always „grounded“ and "casually in our socks". Most Danes are being raised up to never loose the ground under their feet. My socks are probably a symbolic gesture i always carry around an in myself - the countryside heritage to stay cosy and always keep the feet on your ground.
You have been running an own incredibly successful model agency for so many years - what fascinated you about this part of the business?
You know what, when i think back now, i believe i opened my agency for mostly one reason – to make sure young models get a solid start, good support and throughout safety on their jobs. It is not an easy business and some agents often see their models only as cash robots.
This really made mad and i was willing to show to the industry, to the world that good management, safe environment, full dedication and a family-culture can bring business and success really far. I have been so much more than just a manager for my models - i was their second mom, their friend, their older sister, their life coach. What makes me happy until now is the fact that so many of my former models still reach out to me and say they miss the life we lived together - it never felt like work, it was always just joy.
You know what, when i think back now, i believe i opened my agency for mostly one reason – to make sure young models get a solid start, good support and throughout safety on their jobs. It is not an easy business and some agents often see their models only as cash robots.
What was the sweetest part of your success?
To be frank, it was never the money or the deals i was getting for my models; i always wanted them to be happy in the first place - with their face, body and mind. I have discovered various models throughout my career and have had many of them on campaigns for D&G, Ralph Lauren, shooting for GQ, Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, but above all i was happy when i was seeing them being happy to have landed a new major job. My success was their happiness.
You have always been surrounded by the most beautiful women and men on the planet - to you, what constitutes "Beauty"?
I love diversity. To me, character is essential. Having a significant own style and look, being slightly curvy or having an edge is what makes you interesting and beautiful. There is no such thing as a universal formula for beauty.
How did you find yourself in Berlin?
While still living in Düsseldorf, I have been coming to Berlin so many times for work, to see friends, to party and i always loved the vibe, the rush, the energy the city has. I came here to only have a small base away from my home and stay at an own place while here on frequent business trips, but in the end found so many great friends, discovered the city in a whole different way and decided to start spending more time here. I slowly moved fully here, but still spend time every once in a whole in Düsseldorf.
All pictures taken by: Mirja Zentgraf
Über den Autor:
Julian Daynov ist ein wahres Fashion Victim, ein Serien-Netzwerker, eine ganze Welt für sich.
Nachdem er die letzten sieben Jahre als zertifizierter Trendscout, Fashion Analyst und Fashion Director die Bereiche Retail Buying und Portfolio Management für Kunden wie Barneys, Harrods, TJX Companies und Saks Fifth Avenue betreut hat, zog es ihn nach Berlin.
Seine vielseitigen Kenntnisse über Märkte, Marken und Mode machen ihn zu einem gefragten Einzelhandelsexperten. Zur Zeit unterstützt er Boutiquen und Kaufhäuser dabei, ihren Produktmix zu bereichern, Eigenmarken zu entwickeln und Strategien für eine bessere Shopping-Experience zu definieren.
Als guter Freund und treuer Fan von SoSUE schreibt er hin und wieder als Gast-Autor für uns und kommentiert alles rund um die coolen Dinge des Lebens.
