Izkušnje iz sveta luksuzne mode jo vodijo v novo poglavje odkrivanja talentov. Eye Wichuda v agencijo Titus Model Management prinaša svoj pogled, intuicijo in poznavanje modne industrije.
V modi lahko lep obraz pritegne pozornost, toda posameznikova edinstvenost je tista, zaradi katere si ga zapomnimo.
Za Eye Wichudo pot nikoli ni bila povezana zgolj s poziranjem pred objektivom. Z izkušnjami v modni fotografiji, med drugim s fotografiranjem za Gucci, je razvila lastno razumevanje tega, kaj je potrebno za prepričljivo modno podobo. Zdaj z agencijo Titus Model Management spoznava še drugo plat modne industrije. Sodeluje pri ocenjevanju in izboru talentov, kjer njena odgovornost ni več zgolj ustvariti močno podobo, temveč prepoznati potencial v nekom drugem.
Agencija talente povezuje z modnimi priložnostmi v New Yorku, Los Angelesu, Milanu, Parizu in Bangkoku, zato odkrivanje pravih obrazov zahteva več kot le poznavanje ustaljenih lepotnih meril. Potrebni so intuicija, izkušnje in razumevanje lastnosti, zaradi katerih je model zanimiv tako za naročnike kot za ustvarjalne ekipe. Z Eye Wichudo smo se pogovarjali o njeni izkušnji z Guccijem, prehodu od modela do članice ocenjevalne komisije ter lastnostih, ki po njenem mnenju opredeljujejo novo generacijo mednarodnih modnih talentov.
Grazia: Imeli ste priložnost sodelovati pri modnem fotografiranju za Gucci. Kaj vas je ta izkušnja naučila o svetu luksuzne mode?
Eye Wichuda:
Eno najpomembnejših spoznanj je bilo, da pri modni fotografiji ne gre zgolj za lep videz. Vsaka fotografija ima svoj namen in vsaka podrobnost prispeva k zgodbi. Ko stojite pred objektivom, morate razumeti, kaj želi ustvarjalna ekipa sporočiti. Vaš izraz, govorica telesa in celo najmanjši gib lahko povsem spremenijo občutek, ki ga vzbuja fotografija. Zaradi te izkušnje sem začela še bolj ceniti profesionalnost in pozornost do podrobnosti, ki ju zahteva luksuzna moda.
To me spremlja še danes, zlasti ko opazujem nove modele in poskušam razumeti, kaj bi lahko prispevali k modnemu projektu.
Grazia: Zdaj sodelujete pri ocenjevanju in izboru talentov za agencijo Titus Model Management. Kaj vas je pritegnilo k tej vlogi?
Eye Wichuda:
Vem, kako je biti oseba pred objektivom, vendar me je zanimalo tudi, kaj se dogaja na drugi strani. Kot model se osredotočate na to, da delo opravite čim bolje. Ko sodelujete pri izboru, pa morate razmišljati širše. Pri tej priložnosti z agencijo Titus Model Management me je pritegnila možnost odkrivanja ljudi s potencialom in pomoč pri njihovih prvih korakih na poti do mednarodne kariere. To se mi zdi vznemirljivo, saj najmočnejšega vtisa včasih ne naredi oseba z največ izkušnjami.
Lahko je nekdo povsem nov, ki ima nekaj posebnega, česar še ni imel priložnosti razviti.
Grazia: Katere tri stvari najprej opazite, ko na izbor agencije Titus Model Management pride nov obraz?
Eye Wichuda:
Prezenco, individualnost in odnos. Prezenca se kaže v tem, kako se nekdo drži in nastopa. Pogosto jo začutite, še preden začne pozirati. Individualnost je tisto, po čemer se razlikuje od drugih. Moda ne potrebuje vedno še ene različice nekoga, ki je že uspešen. Včasih potrebuje obraz, kakršnega še ni videla. Izjemno pomemben pa je tudi odnos. Pozorna sem na to, kako oseba komunicira, kako se odziva na navodila in ali se je pripravljena učiti.
Videz lahko odpre vrata, toda osebnost in profesionalnost pomagata, da nekdo v tej industriji tudi ostane.
Grazia: Kako vam lastne manekenske izkušnje pomagajo pri ocenjevanju potenciala drugih?
Eye Wichuda:
Spomnim se, kako zastrašujoči so lahko izbori. Vstopite v prostor in veste, da imate za dober vtis zelo malo časa. Včasih lahko trema vpliva na vaš nastop. Ker sem to izkusila tudi sama, se trudim, da osebe ne ocenim zgolj na podlagi prvih nekaj sekund. Želim videti, kako se odzove na navodila. Zna prilagoditi pozo? Spremeniti izraz? Ali posluša? Te drobne podrobnosti mi veliko povedo o tem, kako bi se nekdo lahko znašel na profesionalnem fotografiranju.
Mislim, da mi lastne izkušnje pomagajo prepoznati razliko med nekom, ki preprosto potrebuje več vaje, in nekom, ki na določeno priložnost morda še ni pripravljen.
Grazia: Je biti članica ocenjevalne komisije težje kot biti model?
Eye Wichuda:
V nekaterih pogledih da. Ko delate kot model, je pritisk na vas. Odgovorni ste za svoj nastop, pripravo in rezultate svojega dela. Ko pa ocenjujete druge, lahko vaša odločitev vpliva na prihodnost nekoga drugega. To je povsem drugačna odgovornost. Nekoga ne morete izbrati zgolj zato, ker vam je osebno všeč njegov videz. Upoštevati morate njegov potencial, profesionalnost in to, ali bi dejansko lahko delal na trgih, na katerih deluje agencija.
Včasih srečate več nadarjenih ljudi, vendar ne morete izbrati vseh.
To je zame verjetno najtežji del, saj razumem, koliko lahko nekomu pomeni takšna priložnost.
Grazia: Titus Model Management deluje na mednarodnih modnih trgih. Kaj loči model, ki je dobro videti na fotografijah, od nekoga, ki lahko dejansko zgradi mednarodno kariero?
Eye Wichuda:
Doslednost in prilagodljivost. Lepa fotografija je eno, uspešna kariera pa zahteva veliko več. Sodelovati morate z različnimi fotografi, oblikovalci, stilisti in ustvarjalnimi ekipami. Vsak projekt prinaša drugačna pričakovanja. Model mora razumeti, kako se prilagoditi, ne da bi pri tem izgubil svojo individualnost. Zelo resno jemljem tudi profesionalnost. Točnost, pripravljenost, spoštovanje ekipe in razumevanje dela so nujni. Lahko imate izjemen obraz, toda če je z vami težko sodelovati, lahko priložnosti zelo hitro izginejo.
Verjamem, da mednarodni uspeh izhaja iz kombinacije prepoznavnega videza, discipline in močne delovne etike.
Grazia: Modna industrija se nenehno spreminja. Ali so tradicionalna lepotna merila pri izboru novih modelov po vašem mnenju še vedno pomembna?
Eye Wichuda:
Mislim, da je industrija postala veliko bolj odprta za različne vrste lepote, in to cenim. Seveda imajo nekateri naročniki in trgi še vedno določene zahteve, zlasti glede telesnih mer in proporcev. Vendar ne verjamem, da bi lepoto smel opredeljevati en sam videz. Nekateri najzanimivejši obrazi so nekonvencionalni. Morda imajo potezo, zaradi katere izstopajo, nekaj, kar si ljudje zapomnijo.
Ko opazujem potencialne modele, si poskušam predstavljati, kako bi se njihova individualnost lahko izrazila v modni fotografiji, editorialih ali oglaševalskih projektih.
Včasih je prav tisto, po čemer se nekdo razlikuje, njegova največja vrednost.
Grazia: Družbena omrežja so spremenila način odkrivanja modelov. Ali veliko število sledilcev vpliva na vašo odločitev pri izboru?
Eye Wichuda:
Družbena omrežja so lahko odlično orodje, vendar mislim, da številke ne bi smele biti odločilne. Nekdo ima lahko na tisoče sledilcev, pa se pred profesionalnim objektivom vseeno težko znajde. Po drugi strani ima lahko oseba, ki je na spletu komaj prisotna, izjemen potencial. Zame je najpomembnejše, kaj lahko dejansko pokaže pri delu. Zna vzpostaviti stik s kamero? Razume koncept? Lahko profesionalno sodeluje z ustvarjalno ekipo?
To so stvari, ki štejejo pri gradnji kariere tudi zunaj družbenih omrežij.
Grazia: Katera je največja napaka, ki jo ambiciozni začetniki naredijo ob prihodu na izbor?
Eye Wichuda:
Da se preveč trudijo biti nekdo drug. Vidim ljudi, ki preučujejo znane modele in poskušajo posnemati vse, od njihovih izrazov do načina poziranja. Učenje od drugih je pomembno, toda popolno posnemanje lahko zabriše prav tisto, zaradi česar ste zanimivi. Vedno želim videti človekov naravni značaj. Ni treba, da ste popolni. Pomembno je, da ste pripravljeni, da se želite učiti in da ste dovolj sproščeni, da pokažete svojo osebnost.
Samozavest ne pomeni, da se vedete, kot da ste boljši od vseh drugih. Pomeni, da razumete, kaj lahko ponudite.
Grazia: Kaj bi vas pri izboru talentov za Titus Model Management prepričalo, da nov model z zaupanjem priporočite agenciji?
Eye Wichuda:
Nekoga bi priporočila, ko bi v njem prepoznala tako potencial kot pripravljenost, da ga razvija.
Ni treba, da model pride s popolnim portfeljem ali dolgoletnimi izkušnjami.
Pomembno je, ali ima nekaj prepoznavnega in ali se resno želi izboljševati.
Razmišljam tudi o tem, kako bi se lahko znašel pri različnih vrstah dela. Nekateri so naravno močni v editorialni fotografiji, drugim morda bolj ustrezajo oglaševalske kampanje ali nastopi na modnih brveh.
Pomembno je prepoznati, kje bi nekdo lahko uspel, namesto da pričakujemo, da bodo vsi modeli ustrezali isti kategoriji.
Prav zato je izbor talentov zame tako zanimiv. Ne izbirate zgolj obraza. Poskušate razumeti, kaj bi ta oseba lahko postala.
Grazia: Kaj vas je sodelovanje z agencijo Titus Model Management naučilo o poslovni plati mode?
Eye Wichuda:
Pomagalo mi je razumeti, koliko dela poteka v zakulisju, da se za modele ustvarijo priložnosti. Ljudje se pogosto osredotočajo na končne fotografije, modne revije ali glamurozno plat industrije. Toda tu so tudi izbori, komunikacija, priprave, razumevanje zahtev naročnikov in odločitve o tem, katere priložnosti so primerne za posameznika. Sodelovanje pri tem procesu je še poglobilo moje spoštovanje do ljudi, ki delajo za objektivom in v zakulisju agencije.
Spomnilo me je tudi, da je gradnja manekenske kariere skupno delo. Model mora opraviti svoj del, toda ustrezno usmerjanje in profesionalna podpora lahko pomenita veliko razliko.
Grazia: Za konec: kaj bi svetovali nekomu, ki sanja o mednarodni manekenski karieri, a ne ve, kje začeti?
Eye Wichuda:
Začnite z vero v to, da ima vaša individualnost vrednost. Ni treba, da ste videti povsem enako kot nekdo, ki ga vidite v reviji ali na družbenih omrežjih.
Spoznavajte industrijo, vadite pred objektivom, prepoznajte svoje prednosti in bodite odprti za povratne informacije. Predvsem pa ne pričakujte, da se bo vse zgodilo takoj. Kariera zahteva čas, potrpežljivost in doslednost. Če vas to veseli in ste pripravljeni vložiti trud, si dajte priložnost, da poskusite. Nikoli ne veste, kdo bo v vas prepoznal nekaj posebnega.
_________________________________________________________________________
Eye Wichuda: From Gucci to Titus Model Management
From her experience in luxury fashion to a new chapter in talent discovery, Eye Wichuda brings her perspective, instinct, and industry experience to TITUS MODEL MANAGEMENT.
In fashion, a beautiful face may capture attention, but individuality is what makes someone unforgettable.
For Eye Wichuda, the journey has been about more than appearing in front of the camera. Having gained experience through fashion photography, including a photoshoot with Gucci, she has developed her own understanding of what it takes to create a compelling image. Now, she is exploring a different side of the industry with TITUS MODEL MANAGEMENT, taking part in judging and talent selection, where the responsibility is no longer simply to deliver a strong image but to recognize the potential in someone else.
With the agency connecting talent to fashion opportunities across New York, Los Angeles, Milan, Paris, and Bangkok, discovering the right faces requires more than conventional beauty standards. It takes instinct, experience, and an understanding of what makes a model commercially and creatively relevant. GRAZIA speaks with Eye Wichuda about her experience with Gucci, the transition from model to judge, and the qualities she believes define the next generation of international fashion talent.
GRAZIA: You’ve had the opportunity to work on a fashion photoshoot with Gucci. What did that experience teach you about the luxury fashion industry?
EYE WICHUDA: One of the biggest things I learned is that fashion photography is not simply about looking beautiful. Every image has a purpose, and every detail contributes to the story. When you’re in front of the camera, you have to understand what the creative team wants to communicate. Your expression, your body language, even the smallest movement can completely change the feeling of a photograph.
That experience made me appreciate the level of professionalism and attention to detail involved in luxury fashion. It’s something I carry with me today, especially when I look at new models and try to understand what they could bring to a fashion project.
GRAZIA: You’re now involved in judging and selecting talent for TITUS MODEL MANAGEMENT. What inspired you to step into this role?
EYE WICHUDA: I’ve experienced what it’s like to be the person in front of the camera, but I was also curious about what happens on the other side. When you’re a model, you’re focused on delivering your best performance. When you’re involved in casting, you have to think about the bigger picture.
What attracted me to this opportunity with TITUS MODEL MANAGEMENT was the chance to discover people with potential and help them take their first steps toward an international career. I find it exciting because sometimes the person who makes the strongest impression isn’t necessarily the person with the most experience. It can be someone completely new who has something special that hasn’t been developed yet.
GRAZIA: When a new face walks into a TITUS MODEL MANAGEMENT casting, what are the first three things you look for?
EYE WICHUDA: Presence, individuality, and attitude. Presence is how someone carries themselves. You can often feel it before they even begin posing. Individuality is what makes them different. Fashion doesn’t always need another version of someone who is already successful. Sometimes the industry needs a face it hasn’t seen before.
And attitude is extremely important. I pay attention to how someone communicates, how they respond to direction, and whether they’re willing to learn. Physical appearance might open the door, but personality and professionalism are what help someone stay in the industry.
GRAZIA: How do you use your own experience as a model when evaluating someone else’s potential?
EYE WICHUDA: I remember how intimidating castings can be. You walk into a room knowing you have only a short amount of time to make an impression. Sometimes nerves can affect how you perform. Because I’ve experienced that myself, I try not to judge someone based on just their first few seconds.
I want to see how they respond when given direction. Can they adjust their pose? Can they change their expression? Are they listening? Those small details tell me a lot about how someone might perform during a professional photoshoot. I think my own experience helps me recognize the difference between someone who simply needs more practice and someone who may not yet be ready for a particular opportunity.
GRAZIA: Is being a judge more difficult than being a model?
EYE WICHUDA: In some ways, yes. When you’re modeling, the pressure is on you. You’re responsible for your own performance, your preparation, and the results you deliver. But when you’re judging, your decision can influence someone else’s future. That’s a very different responsibility.
You can’t choose someone simply because you personally like their appearance. You have to consider their potential, their professionalism, and whether they could realistically work in the markets the agency represents. Sometimes you meet several talented people, but you can’t select everyone. That’s probably the hardest part for me, because I understand how much an opportunity can mean to someone.
GRAZIA: TITUS MODEL MANAGEMENT works across international fashion markets. What separates a model who looks good in photographs from someone who can actually build an international career?
EYE WICHUDA: Consistency and adaptability. A beautiful photograph is one thing, but a successful career requires much more. You need to work with different photographers, designers, stylists, and creative teams. Every project has different expectations. A model needs to understand how to adapt without losing their individuality.
Professionalism is also something I take seriously. Being on time, being prepared, respecting the team, and understanding the work are all essential. You can have an incredible face, but if you’re difficult to work with, opportunities can disappear very quickly. I believe international success comes from combining a distinctive look with discipline and a strong work ethic.
GRAZIA: The fashion industry is constantly changing. Do you think traditional beauty standards still matter when selecting new models?
EYE WICHUDA: I think the industry has become much more open to different kinds of beauty, and that’s something I appreciate. Of course, certain clients and markets still have specific requirements, especially when it comes to measurements or proportions. But I don’t believe beauty should be defined by only one look.
Some of the most interesting faces are unconventional. They might have a feature that makes them stand out, something that people remember. When I look at potential models, I try to imagine how their individuality could translate into fashion photography, editorial work, or commercial projects. Sometimes what makes someone different is exactly what makes them valuable.
GRAZIA: Social media has changed how models are discovered. Does having a large following influence your decision during casting?
EYE WICHUDA: Social media can be a great tool, but I don’t think numbers should be the deciding factor. Someone can have thousands of followers and still struggle in front of a professional camera. At the same time, someone with very little online presence might have extraordinary potential.
For me, the most important thing is what they can actually deliver. Can they connect with the camera? Can they understand a concept? Can they work professionally with a creative team? Those are the things that matter when building a career beyond social media.
GRAZIA: What is the biggest mistake aspiring models make when they attend a casting?
EYE WICHUDA: Trying too hard to be someone else. I see people who study famous models and try to copy everything, from their expressions to the way they pose. Learning from others is important, but copying someone completely can take away what makes you interesting.
I always want to see a person’s natural character. You don’t have to be perfect. You have to be prepared, willing to learn, and comfortable enough to show your personality. Confidence doesn’t mean acting like you’re better than everyone else. It means understanding what you have to offer.
GRAZIA: As part of the talent selection process at TITUS MODEL MANAGEMENT, what would make you confidently recommend a new model to the agency?
EYE WICHUDA: I would recommend someone when I see both potential and the willingness to develop it. A model doesn’t need to arrive with a perfect portfolio or years of experience. What matters is whether they have something distinctive and whether they’re serious about improving.
I also think about how they might fit into different types of work. Some people are naturally strong in editorial photography, while others may be better suited to commercial campaigns or runway opportunities. The important thing is recognizing where someone could succeed rather than expecting every model to fit the same category. That’s what makes talent selection interesting to me. You’re not simply choosing a face. You’re trying to understand what that person could become.
GRAZIA: What has working with TITUS MODEL MANAGEMENT taught you about the business side of fashion?
EYE WICHUDA: It has helped me see how much work happens behind the scenes to create opportunities for models. People often focus on the final photographs, the fashion shows, or the glamorous side of the industry. But there is also casting, communication, preparation, understanding client requirements, and making decisions about which opportunities are right for each person.
Being involved in this process has given me a greater appreciation for the people who work behind the camera and behind the agency. It has also reminded me that building a modeling career is a collaboration. A model needs to do their part, but having the right guidance and professional support can make a significant difference.
GRAZIA: Finally, what would you say to someone who dreams of becoming an international model but doesn’t know where to begin?
EYE WICHUDA: Start by believing that your individuality has value. You don’t need to look exactly like someone you see in a magazine or on social media. Learn about the industry, practice in front of the camera, understand your strengths, and be open to feedback.
Most importantly, don’t expect everything to happen immediately. A career takes time, patience, and consistency. If you have the passion and you’re willing to put in the work, give yourself the opportunity to try. You never know who might see something special in you.
Model: Eye Wichuda @eye_wichuda Modna agencija: TITUS MODEL @titusmodel Odnosi z javnostmi: TITUS PRODUCTION @titusrunway Oblikovanje oblačil: Gucci @gucci Fotografije: @tos.thada Video: @pkheawtasang Montaža videa: @darkforestthedoctor Grafično oblikovanje: @lindaways Ličenje in pričeska: @makeupbydannythai
