Anja Rubik may have cheekbones that can cut glass and an incredible presence in front of the camera, but the game-changer from Rzeszów is an icon not just because of her countless covers and numerous campaigns: Anja is a perfect representative of the new breed of model. As anyone will tell you, the industry has changed, and where 20 years ago it would have sufficed to have a stunning face and incredible posing skills, today it takes more. Beauties are a dime a dozen, and the women who ascend to the highest levels of success go beyond the call of duty. Blessed with an unforgettable look and a tireless work ethic, Anja has distinguished herself across a variety of platforms, pushing her namesake brand into the pop cultural sphere. When you have Kanye West name-dropping you alongside Anna Wintour, and Karl Lagerfeld listing you among his favorites of all time, you’re in a class by yourself.
The Anja story starts with a globe-hopping childhood, complete with stints in Greece, Canada, and South Africa. Discovered on the streets of Paris whilst still in high school, Rubik worked weekends rather than giving up her studies. It was the first of many intelligent decisions that would come to define the way in which she approached the business. In her own words, “modeling is an incredible job for a girl if she approaches it with her head on her shoulders. You travel, you speak to people, and it opens your mind to different things.”
The variety and breadth of Anja’s various outside projects has earned her a reputation for being one of the most enterprising faces around. In addition to modeling, she’s editor-and-chief of the boundary pushing publication 25 and is on occasion a designer herself. “Anja is an iconic woman, top model, and muse of many of the most important fashion houses,” says her friend and collaborator Giuseppe Zanotti.
Catching up with the engaging Ms. Rubik is always a pleasure and in this exclusive interview she gives insight into what it means to be iconic.
What has being a model AND an editor allowed you to explore?
AR: Being both a model and editor has really given me an amazing outlet to channel my creative energy, and set a stage for me to make all of my ideas come alive. Being on the other side of the camera to direct a shoot has been a way for me to employ my experience in the industry to create beautiful images within 25′s spirit and vision. It’s been amazing to meet our rotating cast of contributors and work together on all editorial activities.
25 is all about creating beautiful, irreverent, inspiring images…the magazine represents and supports strong, intelligent, beautiful women who are comfortable in their sensuality. In general I think the approach to sexuality nowadays is either quite vulgar or prude. I didn’t want to play it safe. There is a ’70s feeling to 25 – an era where people were more open and free with their sensuality. The images from that decade are natural and women were happy and comfortable in their skin…it was a celebration of their sexuality! The images are super strong and incredibly iconic. When a woman is in control, self-aware, and comfortable in her skin, it is a really powerful and positive beautiful thing and I hope this comes across in 25. Women need to support women and speak their minds. I am pushing the boundaries of what a female fashion magazine can be… with this has come some backlash from people that weren’t completely comfortable with the subject. This was unexpected and made me realize that our generation is more conservative than that of our parents. Don’t fear the nipple.
When did you realize you’d gone to the next level with your career?
AR: When I started to work with the best people in the industry.
Who are your icons?
AR: David Bowie, Debbie Harry, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington…and my amazing mother.
You’re one of fashion’s real multi-taskers – can you tell us a little about your many projects?
AR: 25 is really special to me. It’s a beautiful book full of inspiring images with an erotic twist. The spirit and vision of 25 represents the strength of a beautiful, intelligent woman. There is a lot of me in the project; I’ve collaborated with friends and icons of mine to make wild ideas come alive. We have been able to create something that I believe in and felt was missing in the industry. It’s been received incredibly and I’m really excited to continue pushing the boundaries with it…
I have also designed a special capsule collection of shoes and bags with my good friend Giuseppe Zanotti. The process was very organic and came to life from my ideas and sketches along with Giuseppe’s extensive technical guidance. The shoes are an extension of my aura: an erotic spirit with a chic punk twist. There is a sexy grunge feeling expressed in the details, like unique corseted-lacing and piercings. It’s a cool mix of refined chicness and a tough edge. This is something I have always wanted to do and I’m really pleased with how the collection turned out.
What does being iconic mean to you?
AR: It’s humbling and exciting to be able to inspire people; I am lucky to be in a position to put my time and heart into causes as well as projects that I really believe in – like 25.
How do you think your generation of models differs from the generations that have preceded it?
AR: By using our years of experience working with the top people in fashion, some of us have moved into the business side of the industry, expanding our brands into projects that are special to us.
What’s next for you?
AR: I am working on issue 03 of 25…and I have a few other tricks up my sleeve, stay tuned!
“Anja Rubik, is the ultimate model. She is one of the few models who manages to straddle the commercial and avant-garde with ease. She is a supermodel in the true sense. She has a beauty which can transform any character or tell any story. Anja has found her way through the fashion industry in a way which very few models can achieve, she is always leading by example. She has beauty, a vision and a brain for business.” – Edward Enninful
“Anja is completely unique as a model and as a person. From the moment she walked into our studio ten years ago she has been an endless inspiration .” – Inez and Vinoodh
“I first met Anja in her very early modelling days when Inez and Vinoodh shot her for V. That story remains one of my favorite ever and I felt like she was a star from the first moment I met her! She is also a gifted artist and is very visual. All that, plus her personality has led to her becoming as big as she is today.” – Stephen Gan
“She’s amazing, she’s an incredible model, she’s super beautiful. She really enjoys what she does, so it’s an absolute pleasure working with her.”- Mario Sorrenti
“It was always my dream and desire to work with Anja Rubik, I remember the first time I met Anja she captured my heart and imagination, Anja tried a dress and of course there were no need for alterations. I now can’t draw a collection without thinking of her. Anja’s cool, beautiful and warm presence inspires me; Anja has that quality, that something special that makes a difference, she is truly an Icon” – Anthony Vaccarello
(IMO)
Miranda Kerr
