Interview: Verónica Blume

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Model, German-Uruguayan, 31


I never really wanted to be a model, I used to have my feet a lot more on the ground. Moving away from my family and being in a grown-up fashion world was difficult. It took me a few years to realise that that was my job and my reality.

To be a model you have to have fun—you get dressed up in ways you would never imagine—then you take off your make-up, and go home and be normal.

I wake up every morning at 5.30 and do yoga and meditation for an hour and a half. I discovered the benefits of yoga during my pregnancy and am now setting up my own studio in Gràcia. Teaching classes is a nice way to get close to people, because as a model, it’s all about creating distance.

I knew I’d arrived when I saw myself on a huge billboard poster in New York, modelling Guess jeans. I was 16.

I enjoy the creative process—the social scene has never really been my strong point. I grew up in a small village in Austria and my parents gave me simple, natural values which was a very a big present to me, and which I try to pass on to my son.

It is great fun as a woman to discover all the different women inside of you…you arrive at the studio and you never know if you are going to be turned into a sweet romantic flower girl or a super-sexy businesswoman. Being a mother has taught me what it really means to be a woman though.

I’ve been a vegetarian for many years. In modelling, eating is about staying slim, not about being healthy. Eating healthily makes you feel completely different and the perspective on being slim falls into a completely different place.

I’m lucky enough to pick my jobs now. I can enjoy being a veteran but I still do a lot of fashion and magazine work. I’ve discovered I can use it for other things, like charities and that is very, very satisfying for me. I did some work for Sonrisas de Bombay... it made me realise, “Wow I can actually do something just by having a name.” That made me respect and value my job even more.

My perfect day in Barcelona would involve having breakfast in one of the squares in Gràcia and then cycling down to Parc de Ciutadella with my son. There is always something creative going on there.

I think Spanish fashion designers need to believe in themselves more. They are always comparing themselves with what is happening outside. They need to develop a bit of self-confidence.

I’ve learnt that it’s important to find your peace within yourself and not try to measure yourself by what other people think of you. Everybody has their own life and it is OK to give yourself permission to live it your way.