Niki Taylor: A Timeless Icon

Niki Taylor pripada generaciji supermodela koja je obeležila devedesete, ali i redefinisala šta znači trajati u industriji koja ne poznaje pauzu. Njena karijera razvijala se paralelno sa transformacijom medija, od naslovnih strana najuticajnijih modnih magazina do današnje digitalne hiperprisutnosti, a kroz sve te promene ostala je dosledna sopstvenom senzibilitetu.

U razgovoru za Harper’s Bazaar, Taylor govori o odrastanju pod reflektorima, majčinstvu, promenama u industriji i ličnim granicama u vremenu kada je vidljivost postala valuta. Između nostalgije za sporijim ritmom prošlih decenija i svesnosti o savremenim izazovima, otkriva kako izgleda život i karijera izgrađena na ravnoteži — između prisutnosti i povlačenja, discipline i slobode, slike i onoga što ostaje iza nje.

Budući da ste vrlo rano doživeli veliki uspeh na tako vidljivoj sceni, kako ste sačuvali osećaj sopstvenog identiteta tokom tih formativnih godina?

Mislim da nam je tada bilo lakše bez mobilnih telefona. Društvene mreže mogu biti teške za svakoga. Mogli smo da se isključimo od posla — čak i kada sam bila zauzeta, kada ste kod kuće, zaista ste kod kuće.

Vaša karijera se odvijala kroz različite kulturne epohe, od dominacije štampe do neposrednosti digitalne vidljivosti. Kako je ta promena uticala na značenje prisutnosti i odsutnosti u karijeri modela?

Ne želim da objavljujem previše. Ako je ono što radite posebno i želite da ima vrednost, onda mora biti retko.

Kako je majčinstvo uticalo na Vaše poimanje ambicije i uspeha, naročito u industriji koja često daje prednost stalnoj vidljivosti?

To se menjalo tokom vremena. Mnogo sam radila dok su Džejk i Hanter odrastali. Sa Ciel i Reksom želela sam da budem više uključena. Bila sam dalje u karijeri, što mi je to omogućilo. Pretpostavljam da svako mora mnogo da radi na početku bilo koje karijere.

Devedesete godine u modi često su romantizovane. Da li mislite da ta nostalgija odražava stvarnost ili pojednostavljuje jedno složenije vreme?

To je bilo najbolje vreme u modi. Ali dopadala mi se i muzika i kultura devedesetih uopšte. Verovatno zato što je to bilo pre mobilnih telefona, što mi je omogućavalo da budem prisutnija.

Uz Vaš imidž često se vezuje određena bezvremenost. Kako pristupate ideji da budete „u duhu trenutka“ naspram toga da budete trajni?

Hvala Vam! Uvek bih izabrala bezvremenost. Ne osvrćem se često unazad, već se trudim da budem prisutna.

Koncept lepote u mnogim evropskim kulturama nosi dozu suzdržanosti i suptilnosti. Kako se Vaše razumevanje lepote razvijalo izvan performativnih aspekata industrije?

Uvek sam više volela jednostavno i prirodno. Na Floridi živite u šortsu i japankama. Kako sam dublje ulazila u modeling, prepoznala sam genijalnost mnogih dizajnera sa kojima sam radila, i čak su i najneobičnije kreacije — poput motociklističkog odela Tijerija Muglera — bile pravo zadovoljstvo za nošenje. Ipak, istinska lepota je unutrašnja i sija bez obzira na to šta nosite.

Koja Vam je omiljena uspomena povezana sa modom koja nema veze sa poslom?

Rekla bih putovanja i upoznavanje različitih kultura. Imala sam sreću da posetim neka zaista posebna mesta — Santorini, Island, Pariz, Aljasku i Australiju.

U kakvim prostorima se osećate najopuštenije?

Ako nisam kod kuće, rekla bih — na suncu, na plaži.

Vaš rad su beležili brojni fotografi sa različitim vizijama. Kako pregovarate o autorstvu nad sopstvenim imidžom u tom saradničkom procesu?

Nikada nisam morala da brinem o svom imidžu, jer sam imala sreću da radim sa najboljim fotografima na svetu. Iako su svi imali svoju viziju, to je uvek bio zajednički proces.

U profesiji zasnovanoj na tome da budete viđeni, kako definišete ono što ostaje neviđeno — i zaštićeno?

Smatram da nije dobro objavljivati previše, niti deliti baš sve. Možda to nije idealno za posao, ali meni to odgovara.

Mnogi modeli govore o napetosti između discipline i slobode. Gde Vi danas nalazite tu ravnotežu?

Za mene je sve uvek bilo povezano sa zdravljem, a to zahteva rad. Ali ništa ne donosi veće koristi od toga, tako da mi disciplina zapravo daje slobodu.

Srbija postaje sve vidljivija na globalnoj modnoj sceni. Koji savet biste dali mladim modelima ili kreativcima koji dolaze sa manjih tržišta?

Razumite kako veštačka inteligencija menja sve industrije, uključujući i našu, i potrudite se da budete nezamenljivi.

U mnogim balkanskim kulturama porodica i zajednica imaju veliku vrednost. Kako je taj osećaj ukorenjenosti uticao na Vaš put u tako globalnoj industriji?

I ja to osećam. Teško je biti zvezda pred svojom decom koja samo žele večeru! Vrlo brzo naučite šta je zaista važno kada se susretnete sa slavom i koliko ona može biti prazna. Veoma sam zahvalna na svojoj porodici.

Kako se odnosite prema ideji nasleđa u oblasti koja se stalno obnavlja?

Ne mislim da se posao suštinski promenio — klijenti žele da se povežu sa svojom publikom, a mi pomažemo da se ta veza ostvari. Ja to samo radim već dugo.

Na kraju, kada biste mogli da uklonite sliku u potpunosti — bez fotografija i javnog sećanja — šta bi ostalo kao najverniji izraz onoga ko ste?

U tome i jeste stvar — znam samo da budem ono što jesam, šta god to u tom trenutku značilo.

Šta ste nedavno ponovo otkrili o sebi?

Da mi zaista prija vreme koje provodim sama, makar to bilo i samo dvadeset minuta.

Kada svoju karijeru posmatrate kao narativ, postoje li poglavlja koja deluju nedovršeno ili vidite kontinuitet kroz njen razvoj?

Uvek postoje usponi i padovi i putevi kojima niste krenuli. Ne razmišljam mnogo o tome šta je moglo biti, tako da nemam osećaj da nešto treba razrešiti.

English here:

Having experienced early success on such a visible scale, how did you protect your sense of self during those formative years? 

I think we had it easier back then without cell phones. Social media can be rough on anybody. We could unplug from work, even though I was busy when you were home you were home. 

Your career has unfolded across distinct cultural eras, from the dominance of print to the immediacy of digital visibility. How has this shift altered the meaning of presence and absence in a model’s career? 

I don’t want to ever post too much. If what you do is special and you want it to be valuable, then it must be rare. 

How has motherhood influenced your perception of ambition and success, particularly in an industry that often prioritizes constant visibility? 

It’s changed over time. I was working a lot when Jake and Hunter were growing up. With Ciel and Rex I wanted to be more involved. I was further along in my career which allowed me to do that. I guess you have to work hard when starting any career. 

There is often a romanticism attached to the 1990s in fashion. Do you feel that nostalgia reflects reality, or does it simplify a more complex time? 

It was the best time in fashion. But, I also liked the music and culture in general of the 90’s. Probably because it was before cell phones, which allowed me to be more present. 

There is a certain timelessness associated with your image. How do you approach the idea of being “of a moment” versus being enduring? 

Ohh thank you! I’ll take timeless any day. But, I really don’t look back often, and just try to be present. 

The concept of beauty in many European cultures carries a sense of restraint and subtlety. How has your understanding of beauty evolved beyond the more performative aspects of the industry? 

I always preferred simple and natural. In Florida you live in shorts and flip flops. As I got deeper into modeling i recognized the genius of so many of the designers i got to work with and some of the most outrageous outfits like Thierry Mugler’s motocycle outfit was so much fun to wear, but with that said, true beauty is internal and shines through no matter what you’re wearing.

What’s your favorite memory connected to fashion that has nothing to do with work?

I would have to say traveling the world and seeing different cultures. I have been fortunate to visit some pretty cool places. Some of my most memorable would be Santorini, Iceland, Paris, Alaska, and Australia. 

What kind of spaces do you feel most at ease in? 

If I am not at home, I would say in the sun on the beach. 

Your work has been captured through the lens of many photographers, each with a distinct vision. How do you negotiate authorship over your own image within that collaborative process? 

I never had to worry about my image, because I have been lucky to work with the best photographers in the world and while they all had their vision it was always collaborative.

In a profession built on being seen, how do you define what remains unseen—and protected? 

I feel like it’s not good to post too much. Nor do I like to share everything. Probably not great for work, but I am ok with that. 

Many models speak about the tension between discipline and freedom. Where do you find that balance in your life today? 

For me it has always been about health and that takes work,  but nothing pays higher dividends than that. So for me the discipline gives me the freedom.

Serbia is becoming increasingly visible on the global fashion map. What advice would you give to young models or creatives emerging from smaller markets? 

Understand how AI is disrupting every industry including ours and plan to be irreplaceable.

Many Balkan cultures place strong value on family and community. How has that sense of grounding influenced your journey in such a global industry? 

I do too, it’s hard to be a star and precious around your kids who only want dinner! You learn quickly what really matters when you are exposed to fame and how empty it can be, I’m so thankful for my family!

How do you engage with the idea of legacy in a field that is constantly renewing itself? 

I don’t think the job has really changed, clients want to connect with their customers and we help make that connection. I’ve just been doing it for a while now!

Finally, if you could remove the image entirely, no photographs, no public memory, what would remain as the truest expression of who you are? 

That’s the thing, I only know how to be me, whatever that is that moment.

What’s something you’ve recently rediscovered about yourself? 

That I really like my alone time, even if it’s just 20 minutes.

When you consider your career as a narrative, are there chapters that feel unresolved, or do you see a sense of cohesion across its evolution? 

There’s always ups and downs and paths not taken, i don’t really think about what could have been so nothing to resolve. 

Team:

Talent: Niki Taylor @nikilovesu at NT2 Management
Photographer/Producer: Tom Marvel @tommarvelphotography
Creative Director: CANNON @thecannonmediagroup @ateliermgmt
Production: @winnie_noan
Set Producer: @kathleentig
Lighting Director: @1muratozdemir1
Director of Video: @phadeevs
Set Designer: @stocktonhall @ateliermgmt
Digital Tech: @milofynn
Photographer’s Team: @michelewilhelminaphotography, @polymathicwallace
Grip: @gspepe
Make Up Artist: @brianduprey @judycaseyinc @maccosmetics
Hair Stylist: @louisangelo @judycaseyinc @kerastase_official
Nail Tech: @caseynails @ thewallgroup @kissnails
1st Stylist’s Assistant: @lu3alo @sheismaia_agency
Fashion Team: @s.tephaniewenger , @madisonwengu
Digital Artist : retouchingbymarilynn@gmail.com
Marketing Director: @biljana.cvijetinovic
Shot at: @un_nyc
Special Thanks to Burney Lamar and Jean Renard
Special thanks to Jason and everyone at The Untitled NYC