MONIQUE SOUZA Exclusive Interview

FMN - What is your greatest weakness, as a model? What are you doing to improve on it?

MONIQUE - My biggest weakness is dealing with the no's, I work with my image, my face, my body, and sometimes a "no" can mean they want another type of body and face for the job; we models receive a lot of no and this ends up messing with self-esteem. But separating the model Monique from the person Monique, and understanding that they're not talking about me, helps a lot not to take it personally.

FMN - Did 2020 affect your creativity as a model?

MONIQUE - Rather, models tend to work a lot with events, things that require a large audience. With the pandemic, jobs were very scarce and I had to reinvent myself, I started betting on Instagram for work and took the opportunity to study more about poses and increase my repertoire.

FMN - What does a “new normal world” post-pandemic?

MONIQUE - A lot of things have changed in the fashion world, now we are doing a lot of shows through LIVE, fashion movies and live shop (like a showroom, models trying on clothes and customers seeing and buying through live).

FMN - What are you looking forward to in 2021?

MONIQUE - I'm getting ready for the international market, I hope to be traveling and spending time in some countries.

FMN - Which designers would you like to work and why?

MONIQUE - I would like to one day work with the creations of Christian Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Gianni Versace, Coco Chanel and Alexzander McQueen. Because they are brands and designers that I admire.

FMN - Favorite photographers?

MONIQUE - I would love to work with Mario Testino, I like his work

FMN - What is your personal style?

MONIQUE - My style is a little bit of each, modern, sexy and casual

FMN - What is your favorite part of the modeling industry?

MONIQUE - My favorite part is creating, inventing, getting into a persona. We have to adapt to what the client wants, to the feeling that the brand wants to convey to the public, I like to be able to be several versions of myself according to each job.

FMN - What is your dream campaign and why?

MONIQUE - I wish I could campaign for Dior, because of the brand's history and because I love their creations.

FMN - What are your goals as a model?

MONIQUE - Working with big brands, getting to know places, cultures, new people and being recognized for my work...