Luka
Agencies
Mother Agency (MA): Sutherland models
Milan: Why Not Models
Madrid: UNO MOdels
Barcelona: UNO MOdels
South Korea: Mode management
New york: Women Management
Los angeles: Women Management
Answers to Q&A
What INSPIRED you to become a model?
As a child I was surrounded by vestiges of earlier times, my father once held a pawn shop and my mother sold vintage clothes, therefore tiny button sweaters and penny loafers were considered basic attire and in order to listen to music we had to attentively select a record and carefully lower the needle, our favorites worn till the songs scratched and skipped. This unique upbringing, earning me the title of “old soul” and anachronistic, helped shape my identity and separated me from others in school. As Roots track pants and crop tops were all the rage, I sported circle skirts with crinoline and Doc Marten boots. Needless to say, I fell head over heels in love with fashion!
Fast forward a few years to the summer of my second year of university, I was starting my 5th season of landscaping in order to save money for my third year pursuing a bachelor’s of Environmental Studies at the University of Ottawa, but something felt different. I was itching for a new adventure, something new…exciting!
A few years earlier I had wanted to try modeling, but my mother refused, saying I was too young. However, I was now 19 and decided it was time. I did a little research, trying to find an agency, my mother suggested Sutherland Models because she knew they were a reputable agency, (she had a friend in high school who modeled for Sutherland). That very night I sent in an application form and to my astonishment, not too long afterwards I received a response, asking to send in a video describing myself. Even then, I figured it was simply their usual procedure and tried to convince myself they weren’t really interested in what I had to say, trying not to get my hopes up. Then, a few days later I received a call, inviting me into the agency. I was astounded. My mother remained skeptical and frankly so did I, it wasn’t until I went into the agency and met Brandon Hall, Daisy Chew, TJ Lim and Carole Reynolds and realized that this was no longer a dream… they were ready to make it a reality!
What are you most excited about when it comes to modeling?
What a list! To begin, growing up in a family of 6 we didn’t have much money available to travel. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that I have only been to 3 places throughout the entirety of my life: Ontario, Quebec and Michigan… Which is why travel would be on the top of my list of things I’m excited about in the industry. I have been extremely fortunate and grateful, to date I have been signed with: Sutherland Models (Toronto, Canada), Uno models (Madrid and Barcelona), WhyNot Models (Milan), Mode management (South Korea), Women Management New York and Women Management Los Angeles. I am thrilled to explore my modeling journey with these worldwide agencies!
To continue, given my interest in different clothes and styles, what would be a better place to learn more about fashion than the modeling industry. The ability to showcase one’s personality through one’s outfits is one of my favourite things about my job. Which leads me to the last, but certainly not least excitement factor… meeting and interacting with fascinating, skilled and friendly people! Everyone I have had the opportunity to work and collaborate with have been amazing; the hospitality, understanding, cooperation and shared creativity are the fuel to my growing desire to learn more about the modeling industry.
Can you share with us some advice you have for models wanting to get into the industry?
I have only been modeling for a few months and therefore I don’t know all of the tricks of the trade, but a few lessons I have learned so far are:
Keep a kit of essentials, including makeup, hair products and a few basic outfits (indispensable advice given by Nancy Kim).
Be yourself! Always stay true to who you are, your unique traits are your most valued traits in this industry.
Be on time, if you’re not 15 minutes early your late.
share a fun fact about yourself!
How to begin…
Before getting into modeling, I did landscaping during the summer and I pursued a bachelor's degree in environmental studies at the University of Ottawa during the school year. This year would have been my third year of studies, but I decided to defer for a year in order to focus on modeling.
I LOVE the outdoors, my favourite activities being… hiking, swimming in lakes, ponds or any body of water that is in the wilderness, the colder the water the better. My dream is to one day muster up the courage to participate in a polar plunge, swimming in a hole drilled into the ice of a pond or lake during the wintertime. I also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, cycling, camping, animal observing, etc.
My family and I maintain a garden every summer in which we grow potatoes, carrots, beets, radishes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, onions, pumpkins, blackberries, raspberries, tomatoes, peppers, beans, peas, swiss chard, kale, spinach, cabbage, dill, rosemary, thyme… We all pitch in to help weed, plant, water and enjoy the crop at the end of the season!
My artistic hobbies are embroidering, knitting, bracelet making, painting, poetry and reading. I have also recently begun trying to learn to play the guitar.