Models Manual

Interview of Timea Szaloki

by Marta Torres

The Hungary born model might be soft-spoken, but we can’t say the same about her work. At the age of 22 walked for Chanel in Singapore and what felt “Like a life changing moment” was never in her plans.

How did you get into modeling? Did you always want to model?

I got into modeling by accident, a scout saw me on the street in my country - Hungary - and took me to an agency. I never thought of doing it or anything like that. I was 17 years old and after signing the contract I started to go to castings and getting more and more jobs, very quickly, so I realized “oh ok, maybe I have a chance to do this more seriously!” and that’s when I started to travel and do it full-time, after three years.

Any jobs before modeling?

I never had any other job. I started modeling very young, while I was still in school. I was able to travel for 2-3 months during the Summer holidays, so after that it was clear to me - I’ll continue modeling full-time. 

What is the most important to you in what you do?

The most important to me is to do it as long as it makes me happy and satisfied with my life. As long as I feel like I’m on the right path and I like what I do. And I’m waking up every day with a positive mood. Before, it was all about the look – this young, this shape, etc and nowadays it is kind of changing. You see more diversity, models with more curves, more sizes, it says you can be beautiful in different kind of ways. You don’t have to be one kind of type and I like to see that.

How do you usually prepare for a photoshoot?

I try to get as much sleep and rest, as possible, and of course make sure my nails are done, wash my hair, and if I have any information about the members of the team or the brand I’m working to, I search a little about them just to have a little knowledge about what are the expectations, so I won’t just sit there, not knowing anything…

If you could choose any era to work in which would it be? Why? 

Maybe the mid-2000s, I can’t explain why, but everything seemed so cool around that era. But to be realistic, even if we could just go back to the times before Covid would be great. Nowadays everything is more complicated.

What was your first shoot like?

The first serious shooting I did was an editorial for a magazine in Hungary. Of course I was super nervous and excited at the same time. The team was extremely nice, and helped me with everything. It was spring, but still cold, and we were shooting a summer editorial, with a swimming pool, summer dresses and bikinis. It was freezing cold but everything went well after all :)

What was your favorite career moment? A moment where you thought “this took me to another level”.

Actually, it’s hard for me to say one moment because I had so many different ones, but the first trips abroad, when I booked jobs at Paris Fashion Week, I realized that I was doing it full time and for real. Like a life changing moment.

Have your feelings about the modeling industry changed since you started? If so, how? 

Yes, a bit. When I started I thought that modeling was a dream job: you’re going to get jobs easily, earn a lot of money, be famous, everything is so easy, you just have to start and once you are in you’re ok. But now I know it’s a very hard work both ways, personally and professionally. It’s not that easy to get money, the good jobs, to do it apart from your family and friends most of the time all alone, and not having a base, always traveling around so it’s way harder than I thought. And professionally they judged you by your look and it’s hard to accept. Many times we’re standing in shoes that break your legs, you’re in a bikini in winter… But in general is a good job and I like it.

What is your favorite photo or series you’ve ever done?

Again, it’s hard to choose one ahaha. But I had really nice moments specially because of the locations. I can say I’m very lucky for being able to have travelled almost across the world. I had shootings in the Amazonian’s jungle, up in the mountains of Sweden, in Bali… so many places! So, it’s kind of impossible to choose one because they were all so nice.

What’s the best part of modeling? The worst? 

Traveling for sure. And also, it’s a great way to grow up, and be independent, as you’re alone and depend on yourself since a very young age. You meet interesting people from all around the world - literally on a daily basis - and it opens up your mind and change your way of thinking. You become more and more flexible and acceptive towards many things, and you learn to understand the world and people.

Missing your beloved ones, being alone. Your career is out of your hands. You can work to be in your best shape and always be punctual and polite with clients, but other than that, there isn’t much more to do. You just have to be in the right place at the right time, and wait…. And of course… sharing apartments with some crazy souls ahah.

You walked for big houses like Chanel… What was it like? 

I walked many houses like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and for me it was always nice. The teams take really good care of the girls, I felt very proud. I was super nervous and thinking “this is really something big”. I would like to keep doing it, but lately it’s been hard to travel, but as long as I can do it then yeah!

What do you wish to achieve in your career? Your biggest dream? 

To be honest I don’t have a specific dream that I would say “ok this is what I want to achieve”. Because while I don’t get that, I won’t be satisfied. Reaching for one specific thing I will never be fully happy for what I have. I try to not think. Of course, I would like some magazine covers and bigger jobs, but I’m always happy. Any job that is bigger would make me happy for sure. I just try to always focus on doing my best and if I get it is great, if not I’m not going to think of my career like I never reached my dream. So this way I’m more satisfied with my career and what I’ve achieved until now.

What would you like people to know about you, outside of your work?

It’s hard to say ahaha. I think I’m just like anybody else. If someone is interested in me, they want to know more, I just want people to know (hopefully) that I’m a kind and good person. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I try to be a good person and that’s it.

What’s something that would surprise people about you?

It’s my personal opinion, but I think I’m a really good cook. I do it by myself or follow some recipes if I don’t trust my knowledge and ask my mother. I like to cook with my family and for other people.
Also, I’m obsessed with running. I go every day at least for one and a half hour. If I have the time I go for two or three hours nonstop. I’m crazy about that!