Why you decide to become a model and how did you start ?
I was a ballerina in the first place. Beauty of Art has always attracted me. I perceive Art as a divine inspiration for our human soul. Modeling and fashion contribute to beauty and art in our world. And, subsequently, beauty changes us forever. Ever since my childhood the strongest feelings started vibrating inside me, the sense of magic was fascinating me to a degree in which I was myself rediscovering the calisthenics, eurhythmics, plasticity and grace, blessed by the audience's crystal applause. I say “ovations” and “loud applause” because from long, long ago a muse of a great ballerina lives in me, a muse that since my childhood was combining success with the cult toward the art at different creative levels. As a ballerina and later on as an actress in cinema and theater dramaturgy was deeply rooted inside my disposition. My gift was consciously and unconsciously finding comfort either in the play of images or it was thirsty for dedication to the cause of a sublime beauty. And this paragon of beauty quite often was founding its reflection on the covers of cult fashion magazines. My unconditional interest toward art - ballet, cinema, theater and music, - sculptured even more perfectly my senses in the direction of esthetics, combined with dangerously unique charm – and this energy relaxes, heals, and endows. I re-create the beautiful dance pliés ever since I was 6. Thus, step by step, the aristocratic breath of air took me to the theater stage and immediately after that – to the cinema industry. That is how my liking toward the unique occurred.
How has your life changed after you involved?
I started a splendid journey through life, filled with excitement and endless opportunities. And the best place for opportunities is, with no doubt, New York City.
The sense of real and irreal. This has changed. Of course, for me the real lies within the notional – to be able to think and to be in harmony with the nature of my thoughts. Irreal is that big thing which roams inside, something with no end and no beginning, somewhere in the muted bina diamond - where you can be absorbed in the forgetfulness of your own human Me.
Who are your influences?
In the whole amalgam of celebrities and stars I would like to particularly underline my admiration for the starts in 30s and 60s. My favorites remain Rita Hayworth whose character I play in the American-Bulgarian film production Dan Koloff - King of Wrestling, a movie for Dan Koloff, the World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, a film which was shot in USA, UK, Europe, and Japan. Other characters who have shaped my special line are from the classical theater school and those are characters from Shakespeare's works – King Lear, from Francois Villon - Ballad of the women of Paris, from the opera arias of Enrico Caruso. In modern art I admire everything and everybody. In spite that modern art has an abstract conception of the world, it is the new, innovative, with the taste of a new era which shall fascinate all our hearts. Unforgettable for me will remain Sophia Loren, Gina Lollobrigida, Elizabeth Taylor, Sir Elton John, as well as many, many other stars from the whole show business. I am thankful to them for the change they bring forward with their effort, creativity, and emotion. I also enjoy supreme, top, and couture fashion where designer's art brings in its message and tonality of a vanguard frequency.
What was the hardest challenge for you?
To withstand any envy arising from individuals turning green. I love people, I am a radiant and friendly person, I love America. I believe in hard work and positive attitude.
To understand how strong is my love toward America while I stem from Europe. When I arrived in America I felt as if I have always been here. When I travel through the United States I live with the feeling I am coming home, that there is no other I place I could possibly be at, except here, where I have always wanted to be. I love Americans and it is a big challenge for me when I have to be away from America for some time. It is like trying to pull out the spikes out of a hedgehog.
What is your favorite part about being a modeling? What are your likes and dislikes?
The magnificent gradation of images, shapes, forms, faces, and figures.
The distribution of light and shade, the motion toward conceptualization of images, their skillful incarnation from a character to character, the expression of personification which generates fine mood, transformation, and balance. The modest or rather balanced essence of a concrete artistic emotion is exactly that kind of magnetism which moves away from the unnecessary vanity, removes itself from the pluming reflection or the overheated contrast. And, of course, the dynamics, euphoria, joy form the esthetic experience when the sequences, flashes, and frames are successful.
What types of assignments are you attracted most?
Magazine covers, commercials and photos for jewelry, perfumes, TV commercials, art commercials, billboards, leading designers and leading brands, films
What are your most memorable modeling experiences? It could be good or bad...
I have marvelous experience with Paco Rabanne, Gianfranco Ferre, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace, and many others. I guess my runway experience with Paco Rabanne was top of the top.
What would bring a smile to your face?
Friendship, human enthusiasm, love, peaceful relations and positive attitude among people.
What would be your "dream job" in life?
To be the face for a leading corporation.
What projects are you currently working on and your future plans ?
At present I am negotiating my participation in the American super production of the film RAPTUS, based on an exciting and sophisticated award-winning book and screenplay by Svet Di-Nahum (www.svetdinahum.com), an internationally acclaimed Jewish author, a great novelist.
What's the best advice ever given to you?
“Never let down your friends. Respect and love people. Always listen to the good.”
What are some Do's and Don'ts in the business that you have learned?
Do's: be positive, work hard, develop your talent, be creative, imagine.
Don'ts: never have envy, never be greedy, respect your colleagues and fellow models.
What sort of tips or advice would you give somebody who is looking to modeling?
Do not give up on your dreams; do not take rejections personally; believe in yourself; follow your heart. Never let your 24-carat smile go down from your face. Feel and sublimate your electric conductivity. It is very important to achieve miraculous emanation. Become aware of that golden particle in your heart which can magnetize and change reality. Do not betray love, once you have chosen your path, do test yourself whether your 100 percent sure this is exactly your special line in the long run in life. If you lack charisma – work on this. Charisma could be achieved through feelings, through feeding your ideal, through self-consciousness. This feeling is exactly that emotional memory inside each one of us – the one that creates, weaving into itself pure reason and the pulse of the very creation.
What are the “Your qualities” for you to be model?
„Atlantis qualities“ :-)))! I like the American civilization. It inspires in me sacrament and afflatus which is unique and cannot be reached on any other continent. The model of freedom and harmony, the privilege to be yourself in your most impressive vision…
It is exciting when you fly from the East Coast to the West Coast and back, it is cheering up to breathe the fragrance of purple orchids, to have a sip of port wine over magical vault of pyramids, to chase the rain, to look at the eyes of a small kitten, and so on, and so forth, thus realizing that life is an unbelievable magic, a beautiful journey, the clearest thought about who do you want to be.
Bilyana Ivonn's Portfolio
