Nicoline
Agencies
Mother Agency (MA): Next Toronto
New York: Women 360
Los angeles: Women 360
London: Wilhelmina Models
Milan: ABC Models
Answers to Q&A
Why did you become a model?
I never imagined I’d become a model. I studied Fine Arts at Parsons in New York, ran my own studio, and worked for other artists for years. After a decade in the city, modeling wasn’t even on my radar. That changed in 2022, after I moved to Toronto. A friend needed a red-head for a shoot she was producing, and I agreed somewhat reluctantly. The day ended up being transformative. Through the makeup artist, I was introduced to a few agencies, and when I met with Lorraine and Sean at NEXT CANADA I immediately felt, “I can work with them.”
Within months, they had me working regularly and soon after on my way to Milan for my first overseas stay. My life pivoted into this unexpected, global adventure. Starting at 28 is unusual in this industry, but I’m proud of that. It shows there is no fixed timeline for success. Opportunities can find you at any stage. What matters is staying open, saying yes, and trusting yourself. Never let anyone, yourself included limit what’s possible.
What makes you special?
What makes me special is the mix of my look, my energy, and the life I lived before modeling. People often notice my red hair, freckles, and clear skin, but clients usually remember my positivity and how I stay energized all day, especially on location shoots. Being outside brings out the best in me. I’m happiest shooting in nature, adapting to whatever the environment gives us. On set, I’m focused, collaborative, and open to possibility. I want my images to feel like an invitation to adventure, and I think that sense of play and courage is what clients connect with.
What are you passionate about?
Horses have been the great love of my life. I started riding before I could even properly run. My mom had me in lessons at four years old and that early connection shaped everything about who I am. Today, my American Saddle Horse, Amigo, lives in Caledon, Ontario and is still the heart of that passion. Horses ground me, challenge me, and connect me to a part of myself that feels both powerful and deeply calm. Riding requires complete presence: you have to be attuned to the animal beneath you, your environment, your breath, your balance. It’s physical, emotional, and absolutely spiritual. Whether I’m galloping through the forest or just grooming Amigo in the barn aisle, I feel a kind of joy and clarity I can’t find anywhere else. Horses make me feel strong, centered, and completely alive.
What is your most prized possession and why?
My most prized possession is my health. My whole-picture well-being across mind, body, soul, and the relationships that support me. I didn’t always live this way; years ago I was burnt out, eating poorly, and completely depleted, which pushed me to rebuild my life around nourishment, balance, and longevity. Today, good sleep, good food, movement, dance, and especially horseback riding keep me grounded and energized for the demands of modeling and travel. Cooking has become an act of self-love and autonomy, and preparing meals for shoots, flights, and just the day-to-day helps me stay strong and present. To me, health is empowerment. It lets me feel fully alive, prevents burnout, and gives me the best chance at a long, strong, joyful life.
Describe your dream photoshoot.
My dream photoshoot (which I do dream of often) would take place in Mongolia, riding through the wild countryside on horseback, completely immersed in nature from sunrise to nightfall. I imagine a raw, adventurous, honest story, something that captures the deep cultural connection Mongolian people have with horses. The shoot would unfold like a journey over several days galloping across open plains, running through grasslands, cooking together at night under the stars blending fast, dynamic movement with quiet, intimate moments, like a piece of classical music that builds and releases tension. Spearheaded by local guides, I’d want a small, fearless, team, creating impeccable images and videos that feel both gritty and magical. Most of all, I’d want people to look at the final images and feel as though they could step into that experience with me. A world of adventure, curiosity, wonder, and the pure joy of being alive. This shoot is deeply personal to me; it represents everything I dream of, everything I love, and everything I’m manifesting into reality.