Mija Lou is an alternative and pin up model from Denmark. When she’s not rocking her classic pin-up look in front of the camera, she’s organising events and shoots for other pin-up models in her co-owned agency Pin-up Denmark. Talk about living the pin-up life! Get to know Mija Lou right here!
Photography by Cornelius Madsen Photography[/caption]Tell us about your career as model. How did you get started?I started back in 2012. I've always loved to be in front of the camera, to be creative and get dolled up - but never thought I had a chance to become an actual model. I had a friend who wanted to become a photographer, which was perfect since I wanted to become a model. We teamed up and did photoshoots in her garage, which she had made into a studio. She could rehearse on me and I could rehearse being in front of the camera, like rehearsing in front of a mirror. I knew from the start that the pin-up genre was going to be my niche, since I've always admired the style and beauty.After some photoshoots I started up my social network pages, like Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. I wanted to connect to other people and models that were in or admired the genre like I did. I also have kept my social network pages internationally friendly from the beginning, meaning I've always wrote in English (I'm Danish by the way). Not long after I started up my social network pages I got contacted by PunkUpBettie, an accessory company, who wanted me to model for her. I took up on her offer and that was my first modelling job. I also applied to be a model on The Alternative Model Directory, which is one of the best things I've done for my modelling career. Being a model on TAMD, got me an international network, friends & a lot of promotion.You must understand that when I started there was almost no attention to the more alternative genres of modelling in Denmark. That's why I chose to focus on the international audience, which I believe is one of reasons I am where I am today. You must know where your audience is. I didn't know any Danish pin-up models back then. I was the only one "out there", besides Anne Lindfjeld. Denmark has, luckily since, gotten a lot more attention to the alternative genres of modelling, which is great to see.In October of 2012, I also got my first 3 magazine publications. All in Halloween issues. After that followed a few more magazine publications, some modelling jobs for accessory companies and while that, my social network pages got more followers. In 2013 I did some photoshoots now and then, but my focus was on my newly started Facebook page 'The Rockabilly Pit' which I started in December of 2012. It got me even more of an international network of models, companies and most importantly, friends that I still have to this day.Back in January of 2014 I realized that I wanted more attention, especially on the pin-up modelling genre in Denmark - so I started up the Facebook page 'Pin-Up Denmark' which was, at first, to promote Danish models in the pin-up genre. I had no idea that it would be such a success... I still was modelling in my spare time. I did a shoot with a Rat Rod racer and I did a shoot for TPG Magazine's 1 year anniversary issue where I'd portray 1920's "it" girl Clara Bow.I have some great shoots lined up this year that I'm really excited about. But other than that, Pin-Up Denmark now means that I get to have my hobby as an almost full time job.Did you always want to be a model or did you have other career aspirations when you were growing up?I've wanted to be a lot of things while growing up. At first, I wanted to be a rabbit, then zookeeper, then an actress.. Honestly, I don't know 'till this day what I want to be. I've always felt out of place in my past jobs, and I guess, I'm more of a "living one day at a time" person. I'm also a dreamer- Pin-Up Denmark is the result of that. When you think about it, I created a job for myself where I would fit right in.I've actually always dreamed of being a model but also always known that I couldn't make a living out of it. So I'm pretty realistic about it being a hobby and not a job. I actually wouldn't have it any other way. I'm pretty happy with my life right now.Do you love any one genre of modelling more than another?I'm a pin-up by heart, and it's my niche - so the pin-up genre is my favorite. I try my best to succeed in every genre of pin-up modelling. I actual like to mix the authentic with a modern twist, like - my look says Dita, my eyes says Clara and my poses says Bettie.What was your first shoot as a model like? Tell us a little about it!I was so nervous! I'm thinking about my first professional photoshoot. But I felt ready, and you know why? Because I had rehearsed about a year in front of the camera in my friend's garage. I had studied all the pin-up poses and expressions there was. I knew everything of how to make my face and body look its best. I was prepared and the photographer could tell. We did some picnic pin-up photos for example - one of those is still one of my favorite photos to this day. It was a fun day!You're also a co-owner of the Pin-Up Denmark agency. Could you tell us a bit about this?Yes I am the co-owner of Pin-Up Denmark along with another Danish alternative and pin-up model, Kecia Lie. Pin-Up Denmark is a model and event bureau for Danish pin-up models, as well as Denmark's largest forum for pin-up models, fans and admirers of the genre. It's crazy how it has turned out from when I made the Facebook page back in January 2014. I just wanted more focus on the Danish pin-up modelling scene and help promote Danish models within the genre - that was the reason I made it to begin with. Now we have a database of the best Danish pin-up models, who we help promote through Pin-Up Denmark, as they are official "Pin-Up Denmark models" under contract. We arrange photoshoot for and with our models. We also help Danish women starting up as pin-up models (how to get in contact with photographers for example).We attend events - in April we have our 3rd event in cooperation with Denmark's largest rock'n'roll nightclub High Voltage in Copenhagen. A 2 day Psychobilly festival where we attend as "event girls", making sure the guests are having their pictures taken in our Pin-Up Denmark photobooth. We also will attend the Copenhagen International Tattoo Convention in Copenhagen in May, as volunteers and event girls. We'll be doing an fashion show with a rockabilly clothing store and we're really excited about this booking, since we'll be getting a lot of promotion throughout the weekend. We have also been booked for a music video and a rockabilly festival later this year where we'll hold a LIVE final for a pin-up contest we will be having on our Facebook page called "The Search for Denmark's New Pin-Up"... Yup, everything is great! We're getting a lot of good feedback, because we're promoting the beauty in every shape, size, color, handicap ect. We do not discriminate - the only thing we want from our models is that they KNOW the pin-up genre, that they know what it's about and how to model it.It seems you live and breathe pinup! What first drew you to the style and culture?Trust me, I've been through a lot of styles over the years, especially in my teens. I think most of us have. What do we do? We learn! It's about finding that style you feel good in, that makes you feel beautiful, sexy and free. I love the style because I feel exactly that. When I'm in my "hug me baby jeans" from Lady K Loves for example, I feel confident and feminine. I've always found the fashion from the 1920's to the 1970's very fascinating. I think it's about finding the style that matches your personality - and so I did. And when you find it, hold on to it. I've always looked up to the style and beauty of old Hollywood actresses and models. It's a very beautiful culture of women empowering each other and seeing the beauty in all.What is your favourite period of time to take inspiration from?
As I mentioned before, I'm trying to mix it up a little. But if I have to mention only 1 period of time, it must be the 1940's. Right after that, the 1950's. A lot of my style and look inspiration is specially from the 40's and 50's plus the women I look the most up to are from that periods.Photography by Jan Ole Laugesen - FotoFyn and BilFoto, Car courtesy of Steffen Nielsen, Located at Vejle Havn DK.[/caption]Although some people might see you as a typical pinup, you also have a huge love for horror films and the paranormal! Could you tell us a bit about this? What’s your favourite horror film?I'm a huge sucker for the paranormal! I'm very interested in the paranormal and I'm a 100% believer. I love to watch documentaries about it and read about it to the point that I'm too scared to sleep. I've watched every episode of Ghost Adventures and my favorite horror movie is the original horror flick "Night Of The Living Dead" from 1968. I'm a big fan of Halloween. It's also my favorite time of year to do photoshoots. One of my goals is to one day play a zombie pin-up in either a film or a music video... I would fit right in!What do you do when you aren’t modelling?I work at my daytime job and I work with Pin-Up Denmark, so I actually don't have a lot of spare time. When I do, I spend a lot of time with my boyfriend, family and friends. I do like to relax when I have the time to clear my mind. I listen to music - I couldn't last a day without music. Music has always been a great passion of mine.What do you consider your biggest career highlights so far? There are many! I'm a small town girl. The little things are huge to me and much appreciated. I'm very grateful for the accessory companies who I've modelled for and to those who published my work in their magazines. But the most important thing, that makes all these years worth it, are the friends and connections I've gotten from all over the world.How much have you changed since you first started modelling?I've changed a lot. I'm still Mija, but a better Mija. I'm more confident, happy and open to new things. My look has also changed a lot. I'm more polished, I know how I look my best now and that shows in my photos. I've grown a lot since starting out as a 21 year old. I can honestly say that I know who I am now.Are you looking forward to anything in the future? (New shoots, events, etc)Oh yes! I've got some shoots planned in the near future. I'm going to work together again with fellow danish alt/pin-up model Kristina Louisa Flavis. She's also one of our Pin-Up Denmark models. We did a shoot together for Halloween and have become friends through Pin-Up Denmark. We have a good model to model connection in front of the camera, and we're pretty much on the same page regarding shoots, so I'm looking forward to working with her again.I also have a shoot with some vintage aircrafts soon and a shoot where the overall theme will be "black lace" plus a product shoot for a huge accessory company (like a try-out shoot). I can't wait! I'll also model for one of my favorite accessory companies called My Classy Vintage. I do also have some great events coming with Pin-Up Denmark, but I have already mentioned them above.Lastly, do you have any tips for new models that find you inspiring?Study the genre you're interested in. Do what makes you feel beautiful. Don't be afraid to jump into it and have fun!To find more from Mija Lou, you can find her on her official Facebook page. While you’re at it don’t forget to check out Pin-up Denmark for more gorgeous pinups! Before you go check out the gallery of handpicked photos by Mija herself. Which is your favourite?
Photography by Cornelius Madsen Photography, Assistent Marie-Louise Horup, Location Hotel Saxildhus, Kolding DK, shoot in cooperation with Pin-Up Denmark
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
Rebel Girl: Mija Lou
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 comments:
Post a Comment