Landé: Vision of Beauty

Od Volstrita do modne industrije, od Netflixa do svetskih pista — Landé predstavlja generaciju žena koje se ne boje sazrevanja i promena. Sa korenima koji se protežu kroz više kontinenata i duhom koji definišu radoznalost i hrabrost, ona svemu što dotakne unosi intelekt i gracioznost. U ovom razgovoru otkriva kako koristi intuiciju, kreativnost i moć prihvatanja promena.

Karijeru ste započeli na Volstritu i radili u najvećem hedž fondu na svetu. Sada ste potpuno promenili pravac i postali uspešan model. Pripadate novoj generaciji žena koje se ne plaše promene. Kako donosite odluke — brzo i intuitivno, ili nakon dugog promišljanja?

Rekla bih da odluke donosim kombinacijom intuicije, promišljanja i vere u nešto veće od sebe. Moj put nikada nije bio pravolinijski — počeo je ritmičkom gimnastikom, nastavio se kroz ples, zatim novinarstvom na Volstritu, potom radom u Bridgewater Associates, zatim u Netflixu, i sada u modi. Na svakom koraku naučila sam da svoj život posmatram kao priču u pokretu, kao film koji se odvija scenom za scenom.

Iskustvo u stvaranju filmova posebno je uticalo na moj način donošenja odluka. Naučilo me da se povučem korak unazad, sagledam širu sliku i razumem kako svaki izbor oblikuje sledeće poglavlje. Verujem svojim instinktima jer me često vode napred, ali uvek zastanem da proverim da li su moji izbori u skladu sa mojim vrednostima i svrhom. Iznad svega, verujem u optimizam. Duboko verujem da, kada veruješ sebi i ostaneš otvoren za mogućnosti, možeš ponovo i ponovo ispisivati svoju priču. Promene me ne plaše — one me pozivaju da rastem u sledeću verziju sebe, i ta vera mi daje hrabrost da skočim.

Netflix, gde ste ranije radili, takođe je kreativni ekosistem. Šta vas je to iskustvo naučilo i kako je uticalo na vašu karijeru u modelingu?

Vreme koje sam provela u Netflixu bilo je izuzetno važno za moj razvoj. Rad u tako kreativnom okruženju naučio me koliko je snažna moć pripovedanja — ne samo u onome što gledamo, već i u načinu na koji oblikujemo priče svojih života. Pokazao mi je kako se vizija, saradnja i pravi trenutak spajaju da bi se stvorilo nešto istinski značajno.

Iskustvo u stvaranju filmova dodatno je produbilo to razumevanje, naučivši me da o svom putu razmišljam filmski — da zamišljam širu sliku, da svaku odluku vidim kao scenu koja vodi u sledeće poglavlje. Te lekcije direktno su se prenele na modeling, gde nikada nije reč samo o fotografiji; radi se o tome da se prenese priča, emocija, poruka.
Zahvaljujući ritmičkoj gimnastici i plesu, pokret i izražavanje oduvek su bili moj prirodni jezik — sada oblikuju način na koji komuniciram s kamerom i oživljavam ideje. Kroz sve to, ostajem verna optimizmu. Naučila sam da, kada veruješ svojoj priči dok se odvija, granice zapravo ne postoje.

Kako je prelazak u modnu industriju promenio vaše viđenje uspeha? Šta je u svetu mode postalo vaš „prostor za disanje“ posle korporativne trke?

Prelazak u modu potpuno je promenio način na koji posmatram uspeh. U korporativnom svetu uspeh se merio titulama, brojkama i spoljnim priznanjem. Sve se svodilo na brzinu, rast i rezultate. Moda me je naučila da usporim i da uspeh pronađem u nečemu mnogo ličnijem i kreativnijem — u smislu, priči i istini.

Najviše me iznenadilo to što moda nije samo estetika; ona je emocija, povezanost i izražavanje. Moj „prostor za disanje“ pronašla sam u saradnji s vizionarima i u tome da u posao unosim celu sebe — ne samo svoj CV. Takođe sam naučila da je autentičnost prava supermoć. Ono što te razlikuje — tvoja priča, tvoja perspektiva, tvoj glas — upravo je ono što te čini snažnom. Modeling mi je omogućio da spojim sve delove svog puta u jedinstven kreativni izraz, i to, za mene, predstavlja dublji, ispunjeniji oblik uspeha.

Živite između Los Anđelesa, Njujorka i Kopenhagena. Kako vam život u tako različitim kulturama oblikuje stil i poimanje lepote?

Život između Los Anđelesa, Njujorka i Kopenhagena snažno je uticao na moj osećaj za lepotu i stil — ali i moje poreklo. Polovina mene je iz Trinidadа, polovina iz Nigerije, a odrasla sam u Calabasasu, u Kaliforniji. Ta mešavina kultura dala mi je globalnu perspektivu od samog početka. Naučila me da je identitet slojevit i u stalnom razvoju, te da lepota nema jedno značenje — ona raste i menja se kroz iskustva.

Svaki grad koji zovem domom dodaje nešto jedinstveno mom senzibilitetu. Calabasas je opušten i sunčan, sa naglaskom na individualnost i lakoću. Njujork je hrabar i energičan — mesto gde je moda izraz moći i neprekidne promene. Kopenhagen je minimalističan i promišljen, s dubokim poštovanjem prema zanatu, održivosti i tihoj samouverenosti. Spajanje svih tih svetova — zajedno s bogatstvom mog kulturnog nasleđa — učinilo je moj stil duboko ličnim. On je odraz pokreta, pripadnosti i evolucije. Iznad svega, naučila sam da prava lepota nije u praćenju trendova, već u autentičnosti — u tome da nosiš ono što jesi i poštuješ priču koja te oblikovala.

Šta za vas znači biti kreativan? Da li je to sloboda, rizik ili sposobnost da stvorite harmoniju iz haosa? I koji je vaš sledeći korak u kreativnoj evoluciji — možda sopstveni brend ili umetnički projekat?

Za mene, biti kreativan znači živeti s radoznalošću i hrabrošću. To je sposobnost da vidiš svet ne samo onakvim kakav jeste, već i onakvim kakav bi mogao biti — i da imaš maštu i snagu da tu viziju pretvoriš u stvarnost. Kreativnost je i sloboda i rizik, ali i sposobnost da stvoriš harmoniju iz haosa, smisao iz fragmenata i lepotu iz neočekivanog.

Moj kreativni put oduvek je bio oblikovan time ko sam. Biti napola Trinidadijanka, napola Nigerijka, a odrastati u Calabasasu, dalo mi je slojevito razumevanje identiteta i izražavanja. Naučila sam da ono što te čini drugačijim nije nešto što treba skrivati — to je tvoja snaga. Autentičnost je mesto odakle prava kreativnost počinje, jer kada stvaraš iz onoga što te izdvaja, stvaraš nešto što niko drugi ne može da ponovi.

Svaka faza mog života — od discipline ritmičke gimnastike i plesa, preko preciznosti finansija, do pripovedanja kroz film i sada mode — naučila me nešto o svrsi i mašti. Što se tiče onoga što sledi, osećam da je vreme da stvorim nešto svoje — možda brend, umetnički projekat ili platformu koja spaja pripovedanje, modu i društveni uticaj. Još ne znam tačan oblik toga, ali znam da će odražavati sve što sam naučila i optimizam koji nosim prema budućnosti. Kreativnost je, uostalom, putovanje koje se neprestano razvija — a ja sam upravo zakoračila u njegovo sledeće poglavlje.

English here:

From Wall Street to fashion, from Netflix to global runways — Landé embodies a generation of women unafraid to evolve. With roots spanning continents and a spirit defined by curiosity and courage, she brings intellect and grace to everything she touches. She opens up about intuition, creativity, and the power of embracing change.

You started your career on Wall Street and worked at the world’s largest hedge fund. Now you’ve completely changed direction and become a successful model. You belong to a new generation of women who aren’t afraid of change. How do you make decisions — quickly and intuitively, or after thorough reflection?

I’d say I make decisions through a blend of intuition, reflection, and trust in something greater than myself. My path has never followed a straight line — it began with rhythmic gymnastics, evolved into dance, shifted into journalism on Wall Street, moved through my time at Bridgewater Associates, then Netflix, and now into fashion. At every stage, I’ve learned to see my life as a story in motion, like a film unfolding scene by scene.

My experience in moviemaking, especially, shaped how I approach decisions. It taught me to step back, to view the bigger picture, and to understand how every choice shapes the narrative of what’s next. I trust my instincts because they often guide me forward, but I also pause to ensure that my choices align with my values and sense of purpose. Above all, I hold onto optimism. I truly believe that when you trust yourself and stay open to what’s possible, you can rewrite your story again and again. Change doesn’t intimidate me — it invites me to grow into the next version of myself, and that belief gives me the courage to leap.

Netflix, where you used to work, is also a creative ecosystem. What did that experience teach you, and how has it influenced your modelling career?

My time at Netflix was incredibly formative. Working in such a creative ecosystem taught me the power of storytelling — not only in what we watch but in how we shape the narratives of our lives. It showed me how vision, collaboration, and timing converge to create something meaningful.

My experience in moviemaking deepened that understanding even further, teaching me to think cinematically about my own path — to imagine beyond the present moment and see each decision as a scene leading to the next chapter. Those lessons translate directly into modelling, where it’s never just about taking a photo; it’s about embodying a story, a message, a mood. With a foundation in rhythmic gymnastics and dance, movement and expression have always been part of my language — they now shape how I connect with the camera and bring ideas to life. Through it all, I remain grounded in optimism. I’ve learned that when you trust your story as it unfolds, there truly are no limits to where it can lead.

How did the transition into the fashion industry change your understanding of success? What in the world of fashion became your “space to breathe” after the corporate race?

The transition into fashion completely redefined how I view success. In the corporate world, success was measured by titles, numbers, and external validation. It was about speed, scale, and results. Fashion invited me to slow down and find success in something far more personal and creative. It became less about chasing metrics and more about meaning, storytelling, and truth.

What surprised me most was that fashion isn’t just about aesthetics — it’s about emotion, connection, and expression. My “space to breathe” came through collaborating with visionary minds and bringing my whole self — not just my résumé — into the work. It also taught me that authenticity is a superpower. The things that make you different — your story, your perspective, your voice — are what make you powerful. Modelling allowed me to merge every part of my journey into one creative expression, and that, to me, is a deeper, more fulfilling form of success.

You divide your time between Los Angeles, New York, and Copenhagen. How does living in such different cultures shape your sense of style and perception of beauty?

Living between Los Angeles, New York, and Copenhagen has deeply influenced my sense of beauty and style — but so has my heritage. I’m half Trinidadian and half Nigerian, born and raised in Calabasas, California. That blend of cultures gave me a global perspective from the very beginning. It taught me that identity is layered and ever-evolving, and that beauty doesn’t have one definition — it expands with experience.

Each city I call home adds something unique to my aesthetic. Calabasas is laid-back and sunlit, celebrating individuality and ease. New York is bold and electric — a place where fashion is power and reinvention is constant. Copenhagen is minimalist and thoughtful, with an appreciation for craftsmanship, sustainability, and quiet confidence. Blending these worlds — along with the richness of my cultural background — has made my style deeply personal. It’s a reflection of movement, belonging, and evolution. Above all, it has taught me that true beauty isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about authenticity — wearing who you are and honouring the story that shaped you.

What does it mean to you to be a creative person? Is it about freedom, risk, or the ability to create harmony out of chaos? And what’s your next step in creative evolution — perhaps your own brand or an art project?

To me, being a creative person means living with curiosity and courage. It’s about seeing the world not just as it is but as it could be — and having the imagination and resilience to turn that vision into reality. It’s about freedom and risk, but also about creating harmony from chaos, meaning from fragments, and beauty from the unexpected.

My creative journey has always been shaped by who I am. Being half Trinidadian and half Nigerian, and growing up in Calabasas, gave me a layered understanding of identity and expression. It taught me that being unique isn’t something to hide — it’s a superpower. Authenticity is where creativity truly begins, because when you lean into what sets you apart, you create from a place no one else can replicate.

Every chapter of my life — from the discipline of rhythmic gymnastics and dance, to the precision of finance, to the storytelling of film, and now fashion — has taught me something about purpose and imagination. As for what’s next, I feel called to create something of my own — perhaps a brand, an art project, or a platform that merges storytelling, fashion, and impact. I don’t yet know its full form, but I know it will reflect everything I’ve learned and the optimism I carry for what’s still to come. Creativity, after all, is an ever-evolving journey — and I’m simply stepping into the next chapter.

Credits:

Model: Landé @land_day
Photographer: Alex G. Harper. @alexgharper
Stylist: Karolina Frechowicz at Laird & Good Company
Hair stylist Andre Gunn @888dre at Art Department LA using Oribe @oribe
Makeup artist: Francesca Martin with Atelier Management @francescamartin.makeup using
Armani Beauty @armanibeauty
Lighting Tech: Darrin James @darrin__james
Producer: @say_media