SA beauty is face of campaign

Published Jan 27, 2017

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Australian luxury and accessories brand Mimco recently launched their Season1 2017 campaign, The Poetic Tempest.

This season’s collection tells the story of a young woman who embarks on an adventure through the cobblestone streets of London and across the breathtaking Scottish countryside.

The face of the new campaign is 23-year-old South African ballerina-turned-model Emily Meuleman. Her look, which is described as “beautifully modern androgyny”, and her sense of creativity and passion for the arts made her the perfect choice for Mimco’s latest muse.

I met Meuleman for lunch and got to know more about the young woman who has caught the attention of designers Paul Smith, Alberta Ferretti, Roland Mouret and Simone Rocha.

PERFECT FIT: Emily Meuleman wears accessories from the 2017 Mimco Season1 campaign shot at the Century Manor House.

You are South African. Where did you grow up and how often do you come home?

I grew up in East London. I now live and work in London, where my mom is originally from, which thankfully means I have family there. I visit my parents once a year over Christmas and if I can I will come home for Easter. My mom and I Skype all the time so we are constantly in contact. I left South Africa when I was 18 years old. From a very young age I knew I wanted to travel and explore the world, and modelling has given me the opportunity to do so.

From ballerina to model, how did you make the change and does your experience as a dancer helped you in your modelling career?

I love dancing and still do but after sustaining an injury I wasn’t able to continue dancing without pain or causing myself further injuries. When I was scouted by Boss Models, it was like the choice was made for me. My experience as a dancer helps me to get into character for a shoot. I love modelling jobs which require you step into a character, and to tell a story. This is why I enjoyed shooting the Mimco campaign. It wasn’t just about being a pretty face but telling a story too.

The campaign was on the picturesque streets of Edinburgh and in the Scottish Borders at 18th-century manor house, Bowhill Estate. Which part of the shoot was your favourite?

I loved the Century Manor House owned by the Duke of Buccleuch. The campaign was shot over four days and I got to spend two days on the grounds of the magnificent estate.

How would you describe your personal style?

I would say relaxed. Though I’m always buying new clothes, I still end up wearing my good old cut-off denim shorts, a T-shirt and Converse sneakers. Even when I go out for dinner I’m happy to be in my denim shorts. When I need to dress up I always go for black. A simple black dress with lots of accessories is my go-to look. I especially like wearing lots of fine rings because I’m always fiddling with my fingers. I’ve recently added lipstick to an outfit for a night out. This is a big step for me. Because I’m always in full make-up while working I prefer to let my skin breathe when I’m home.

Who are your favourite designers?

I support brands with a cause which can benefit the environment. One of these is G-Star Raw, especially the recycled ocean-friendly collection by Pharrell Williams.

How do you spend your free time?

I love baking and am obsessed with cooking and baking shows such as MasterChef and The Great British Bake Off. I don’t miss an episode of MasterChef Australia. With my mom, even though I’m in London, we chat about the shows all the time. Other than scrambled eggs, I can’t cook anything, but one of my favourite treats to bake are cupcakes. I love making my own muesli. It’s the easiest thing to do. I can only bake when I’m at home where I have everything I need. It’s difficult to bake while travelling, because I would need to get all the ingredients and utensils.

How do you manage to keep in shape?

I still enjoy dancing and try to do so twice a week, but if I’m travelling I try to squeeze in a run. No matter how tired I’m feeling, I find that exercise makes me a nicer person.

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