O ustvarjalnosti, disciplini in navdihu med Parizom, Dunajem in svetom mode
Za nekatere je manekenstvo poklic. Za druge pa postane del veliko širšega ustvarjalnega življenja. Za Parižanko po rodu, ki je odraščala na Dunaju, pa je moda eden od svetov, ki se prepletajo z njeno pravno kariero in materinstvom – na prvi pogled tremi popolnoma različnimi področji, ki se med seboj nenehno navdihujejo in bogatijo. Nora Notschih je odraščala obkrožena z glasbo, knjigami in umetnostjo, pred kamero pa je prvič stopila kot najstnica, ko se je preizkusila v igranju. Danes se modelingu približuje z enako radovednostjo in domišljijo ter vsako fotografiranje razume kot priložnost za igro, ustvarjanje in povezovanje z ljudmi, ki delijo njeno strast. Pravo ji je dalo disciplino, sposobnost predvidevanja ter zavedanje pravic in odgovornosti, materinstvo pa še globlje razumevanje radovednosti, prisotnosti in svobode, da znane stvari pogledamo z nepričakovane perspektive. Zanjo manekenstvo ni le končna fotografija. Je predvsem proces ustvarjanja, ljudje, ki ga soustvarjajo, in redka možnost, da domišljija prevzame glavno vlogo.
Uspešno usklajujete manekenstvo, pravno kariero in materinstvo. Kako je videti običajen dan v vašem življenju in kako določate prioritete med temi različnimi vlogami?
Raje bi rekla, da gre za nenehno usklajevanje različnih svetov. Običajen dan se začne s pripravljanjem otrok na šolo, nato odidem v službo. Glede na svoj urnik in cilje, povezane z manekenstvom, se priložnostim, kot so kastingi in fotografiranja, posvetim, kadar se pojavijo.
Svoje različne svetove opisujete kot medsebojno navdihujoče. Se spomnite trenutka, ko vam je pravno znanje neposredno pomagalo pri soočanju z izzivom v svetu modelinga?
Razmišljanje vnaprej, upoštevanje posledic ter zavedanje pravic in odgovornosti so mi zagotovo pomagali razumeti temeljna načela ustvarjalne industrije in svoje mesto v njej.
Rodili ste se v Parizu in odraščali na Dunaju ter tako spoznali dve zelo bogati kulturni okolji. Ali obstaja kakšna tradicija, umetniška oblika ali vsakodnevna navada iz katerega od obeh mest, ki jo danes zavestno vključujete v svoje ustvarjalno delo?
Namesto enega samega vpliva bi izpostavila kombinacijo bolj sproščenega in čustvenega francoskega načina življenja ter kulturnega, nekoliko konservativnega, a hkrati očarljivega duha Dunaja.
Vaša pot pred kamero se je začela z igranjem. Kako je ta zgodnja izkušnja oblikovala vašo sposobnost izražanja čustev in pripovedovanja zgodb skozi modeling? Se pri fotografiranju še vedno poslužujete igralskih tehnik?
Igranje me je naučilo, kako pomembna je čustvena prisotnost. Prav ta pogosto naredi razliko med fotografijo, ki ljudi pritegne, in tisto, ki jih preprosto pusti ravnodušne.
O modelingu govorite kot o prostoru za domišljijo in igrivost. Lahko opišete fotografiranje, pri katerem je prav ta igriv pristop pripeljal do vaših najljubših fotografij? Kaj je bilo pri njem tako posebnega?
Vsako fotografiranje je igrišče za mojo domišljijo. Moje najljubše fotografije nastanejo pri fotografiranjih, kjer fotograf ustvari čarobno vzdušje, ki vsem omogoči, da se popolnoma prepustijo izkušnji.
Prilagodljivost in disciplino izpostavljate kot pomembna dejavnika svoje poti. Se lahko ozrete na trenutek, ko je bila ena od teh lastnosti zares preizkušena, in poveste, kako ste se s situacijo spopadli?
Eno od fotografiranj je potekalo pozimi, oblečena pa sem bila le v lahkotno obleko. Brez navdušenja in odločnosti, da ustvarimo nekaj posebnega, bi se bilo zelo lahko prepustiti mrazu in nelagodju.
Vaša strast do sodelovanja z ljudmi, ki delijo vašo ustvarjalnost, je očitna. Ali obstaja fotograf, stilist ali drug ustvarjalni partner, s katerim še posebej radi sodelujete in katerega vizija vas vedno znova izzove ter dvigne vaše delo na višjo raven?
Obstaja nekaj ustvarjalnih ljudi, s katerimi zelo rada sodelujem. Skupno jim je nenehno prizadevanje za ustvarjanje, ki ga spremljata toplina in iskrenost. Prav zaradi tega se je mogoče sprostiti in pokazati svojo najboljšo različico.
Kot mama dveh otrok – kako pri svojih otrocih spodbujate ustvarjalnost? So vas njuni spontani, otroški pogledi kdaj navdihnili pri vašem lastnem pristopu k projektu?
Včasih se počutim bolj kot otrok kot moja otroka. Vedno sem bila radovedna in ju spodbujam, naj preizkušata nove stvari ter vztrajata tudi takrat, ko postane težko. Zame je igra preprosto to, da si popolnoma prisoten in da znane stvari pogledaš na nepričakovane načine.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nora Notschih about modeling between worlds: Creativity, Law and Motherhood
A conversation about creativity, discipline and finding inspiration between Paris, Vienna and the world of fashion
For some, modeling is a full-time profession. For others, it becomes one part of a much larger creative life. For this Paris-born, Vienna-raised model, fashion exists alongside a legal career and motherhood – three seemingly different worlds that continuously influence and enrich one another. Growing up surrounded by music, books and art, she first discovered the camera through acting as a teenager. Today, she approaches modeling with the same curiosity and imagination, seeing every photoshoot as an opportunity to play, create and connect with people who share her passion. Her legal background has given her discipline and an awareness of rights and responsibilities, while motherhood has deepened her appreciation for curiosity, presence and the freedom to see familiar things from unexpected perspectives. For her, modeling is ultimately about more than the final image. It is about the creative process, the people behind it and the rare opportunity to let imagination take the lead.
You successfully juggle modeling, a legal career, and motherhood. Could you walk us through a typical day in your life and share how you prioritize these different roles?
I would rather describe it as a constant juggling of different worlds. A typical day starts with getting the kids ready for school before heading to work. Depending on my schedule and modeling goals, I pursue opportunities such as castings and photoshoots whenever they arise.
You describe your diverse worlds as mutually inspiring. Can you tell us about a moment when your legal training directly helped you navigate a challenge in the modeling industry?
Thinking ahead, considering consequences, and being aware of rights and responsibilities has definitely helped me understand the underlying principles of the creative industry and my place within it.
Having been born in Paris and raised in Vienna, you’ve absorbed two rich cultural environments. Is there a particular tradition, art form, or everyday habit from either city that you consciously carry into your creative work today?
Rather than one particular influence, I would say it is the combination of the more relaxed and emotional French way of being with Vienna’s cultural, somewhat conservative, yet charming spirit.
Your journey in front of the camera began with acting. How did that early experience shape your ability to convey emotion and narrative in modeling, and do you still draw on those acting techniques during photoshoots?
Acting taught me how much emotional presence matters. It often makes the difference between an image that captures people and one that simply leaves them indifferent.
You speak beautifully about modeling as a space for imagination and playfulness. Could you describe a shoot where embracing that playful mindset led to your favorite images, and what made that session so special?
Every shoot is a playground for my imagination. My favorite images come from a shoot where the photographer created a magical atmosphere that allowed everyone to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
You credit adaptability and discipline as key to your path. Looking back at your career, can you share an instance where one of these qualities was truly tested, and how you overcame that situation?
One shoot took place in winter, and I was wearing nothing but a lightweight suit. Without the enthusiasm and determination to create something special, it would have been easy to give in to the cold and discomfort.
Your passion for collaborating with like-minded people is evident. Is there a particular photographer, stylist, or creative partner you’ve worked with whose vision consistently challenges and elevates your own work?
There are a few creative people I love working with. What they have in common is a constant drive to create, combined with warmth and honesty, which makes it easy to let go and bring out the best version of myself.
As a mom of two, how do you nurture creativity in your children, and have any of their spontaneous, childlike perspectives ever influenced your own approach to a modeling project?
Sometimes I feel more like a child than my children. I have always been curious and encourage them to try new things and keep going when things get difficult. To me, play is simply being fully present and looking at familiar things in unexpected ways.
Model: Nora Notschih @notschih Fotografije:: Sofia Jalta @avenirlens Model agency: ATM - Addicted to Models @addictedtomodels_mgmt Produkcija: Valentina Gurova @valentinagurova (vodja PR Aliyans Media Group @pr_aliyans & Cory Couture @corycoutureproductions)
