Imali ste neverovatnu karijeru kao model, nutricionista, i sada ste uzor ženama svih životnih doba. Šta je bila pokretačka snaga iza vaših raznovrsnih karijernih izbora?

Trudila sam se da budem relevantna kao model i intenzivno sam studirala da postanem nutricionista. Ništa nije došlo lako. Sada, sa mojom knjigom “Žena pravi plan”, na srpskom jeziku, čini se da ženama širom sveta treba inspiracija i podrška.

Vaš put ka postizanju uspeha kao modela u dobu kada mnogi drugi možda razmatraju penzionisanje bio je inspirativan. Kakav savet imate za žene koje žele da se bave svojim strastima kasnije u životu?

Žene mogu da se bave svojim strastima u bilo kojem dobu. Ja sam se bavila modelingom 60 godina, a tek u poslednjih pet godina postala sam supermodel. To nije bio moj cilj jer mi niko ne bi poverovao. Svaki dan koristim društvene mreže oko četiri sata kako bih promovisala svoju karijeru modela i javnog nastupa. Ne sedim samo i nadam se da će me neko angažovati.

Kao nutricionista, zalažete se za zdravu ishranu i životni stil. Kako usklađujete svoje zalaganje za zdravlje sa zahtevima modne industrije, koja je često povezana sa nerealnim standardima tela?

Na sreću, standardi lepote su se promenili u modnoj industriji. Standardni model je visok 178 cm i nosi veličinu 32. Ja sam visoka 173 cm i nosim veličinu 36. Ja sam zapravo angažovana zbog svog godina, ne uprkos njima. Takođe se dobro hranim da bih bila zdrava, održavam svoju težinu i imam puno energije.

Vaš rad kao modela izazvao je konvencionalne standarde lepote, promovišući raznolikost i inkluzivnost. Kako mislite da se modna industrija razvila u pogledu prihvatanja raznolikosti, i šta još treba uraditi?

Ja se trudim da promovišem raznolikost, ohrabrujući žene svih dobnih grupa da pokažu da su najbolje u svom poslu. Ne dozvolite da vas odbijanje uspori. Nastavite dalje. Kada uživate u svojoj karijeri, to nije posao.

Poznati ste po svojoj pozitivnoj i osnažujućoj prisutnosti na društvenim mrežama. Kako koristite svoju platformu da inspirišete i edukujete svoju publiku, posebno na teme kao što su dostojanstveno starenje i pozitivan odnos prema telu?

Kao što znate, sa svakom objavom na X i Instagramu navodim svoje godine. Muškarci ne kriju svoje godine, zašto bi žene? Mislim da prilično dobro promovišem dostojanstveno starenje. Pratioci izgleda vole moje bore. Takođe vole lepe fotografije sa odličnim osvetljenjem, koje sakrivaju mnoge moje bore. To je u redu i za mene.

Vaša knjiga “Žena pravi plan” deli vaša životna iskustva i mudrost. Šta vas je motivisalo da napišete ovu knjigu, i koju poruku nadate se da će čitaoci iz nje poneti?

Nisam želela da pišem knjigu, ali moj književni agent je bio uporan. Niko ne želi da deli svoja životna iskustva, jer prolazimo kroz teška vremena. Moja deca su insistirala da uključim svoje borbe. Mislila sam da moje borbe nisu bile toliko loše kao kod drugih žena, ali mnogi se identifikuju. I muškarci, posebno u poglavljima o preduzetništvu.

Kao majka uspešnih preduzetnika poput Elona Muska, Kimbala Muska i Tosce Musk, kako usklađujete svoju karijeru sa podrškom vaše dece u njihovim nastojanjima?

Kada moja deca žele da ih posetim ili da prisustvujem bilo kom događaju sa njima, bukiram te dane. Volim njihovo društvo jer se puno smejemo, pa se trudim da ih često viđam. To znači da često putujem avionom.

Vi ste već decenijama prominentna figura u modnoj industriji. Kako se industrija promenila tokom godina, i koje trendove vidite kao one koji će oblikovati njenu budućnost?

Bila sam prominentna figura u modnoj industriji, ali niko nije znao moje ime. Bila sam na bilbordima, ali nisu znali ko sam. Sada se to promenilo sa društvenim medijima. Ljudi će me angažovati zbog onoga što objavljujem. Samo moramo nastaviti da se krećemo i biti spremni da se menjamo, u zavisnosti od trendova. Šta god da su trendovi u budućnosti, moramo ih prihvatiti. Nije lako kada volimo ono što radimo u datom trenutku. Sećam se da sam nosila šminku u stilu Twiggy šezdesetih godina, a onda je odjednom došla prirodna šminka. Bilo je teško odložiti svoje veštačke trepavice.

Takođe se zalažete za obrazovanje u STEM (nauka, tehnologija, inženjerstvo i matematika) poljima i za žene u tehnologiji. Zašto vam je ova borba važna, i kako mislite da možemo ohrabriti više žena da se bave karijerama u STEM poljima?

Ako volite nauku, definitivno treba da se bavite ovim poljem, jer nam treba više žena. Kada je u pitanju inženjerstvo, takođe nam treba više žena. Da li znate da je predsednica Spacex-a žena? Ona je briljantna i za divljenje. Takođe mi je drago da vidim ženske inženjere u Tesla fabrikama i ženske astronaute. Žene treba da rade za kompanije koje ih poštuju zbog njihove veštine i inteligencije. Ako to ne čine, idite dalje.

Na čemu trenutno radite, i kakve ciljeve imate za budućnost, kako lično tako i profesionalno?

Trenutno imam veoma zauzetu godinu sa angažmanima kao model i govornik. Takođe imam nekoliko zabavnih događaja sa Elonom, Kimbalom i Toscom. Ostanite s nama. Veoma sam uzbuđena!

Englis here:

You have had an incredible career as a model, dietitian, and now as a role model for women of all ages. What has been the driving force behind your diverse career choices?

I have worked hard to be relevant as a model, and studied intensely to be a Doctor of Dietetics. Nothing came easy. Now, with my book, A Woman Makes a Plan, in Serbian, it seems that women need inspiration and support worldwide.

Your journey to becoming a successful model at an age when many others might consider retiring has been inspiring. What advice do you have for women who want to pursue their passions later in life?

Women can pursue their passions at any age. I modeled for 60 years, and it’s only in the last five years that I’ve become a supermodel. That was not my goal because nobody would’ve believed me. I do use social media for about four hours every day to promote my modeling and speaking careers. I don’t just sit around, hoping somebody will book me

As a dietitian, you advocate for healthy eating and living. How do you balance your advocacy for health with the demands of the fashion industry, which is often associated with unrealistic body standards?

Fortunately, body standards have changed in the fashion industry. The standard model is 5 foot 10 and size 0. I’m 5 foot 8 and size 4. I am actually booked because of my age, not in spite of it. I also eat very well to be healthy, maintain my weight and have a lot of energy

Your work as a model has challenged conventional beauty standards, promoting diversity and inclusivity. How do you think the fashion industry has evolved in terms of embracing diversity, and what more needs to be done?

I do my best to promote diversity, encouraging women of all ages to continue to show that they are the best in their profession. Don’t let rejection slow you down. Keep moving on. When you enjoy your career, it isn’t work

You are known for your positive and empowering presence on social media. How do you use your platform to inspire and educate your audience, especially on topics like aging gracefully and body positivity?

As you know, I state my age with every post on X and Instagram. Men don’t hide their age, why should women? I think I do quite well promoting aging gracefully. Followers seem to love my wrinkles. They also love beautiful photos with excellent lighting, which hide many of my wrinkles. That’s fine with me too

Your book, “A Woman Makes a Plan,” shares your life experiences and wisdom. What motivated you to write this book, and what message do you hope readers will take away from it?

I didn’t want to write a book, but my literary agent persisted. No one wants to share their life experiences, because we go through hard times. My children insisted that I include my struggles. I thought my struggles were not as bad as other women, but many relate. Men too, especially the entrepreneurship chapters.

Being the mother of successful entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, Kimbal Musk, and Tosca Musk, how do you balance your own career with supporting and guiding your children in their endeavors?

When my children want me to visit them or attend any event with them, I book out those days. I love their company as we laugh a lot, so try to see them often. It does mean I’m on a plane a lot.

You’ve been a prominent figure in the fashion industry for decades. How has the industry changed over the years, and what trends do you see shaping its future?

I have been a prominent figure in the fashion industry, but no one knew my name. I would be on billboards, but they didn’t know who I was. Now it’s changed with social media. People will book me because of what I post. We just have to keep on moving and be willing to change, depending on the looks of the year. Whatever trains are in the future, we have to accept. It’s not easy when we love what we are doing at the moment. I remember wearing the Twiggy makeup in the 60s, then it suddenly went to natural makeup. It was hard to put away my false eyelashes.

You’re also an advocate for STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) education and women in technology. Why is this cause important to you, and how do you think we can encourage more women to pursue careers in STEM fields?

If you love science, you definitely have to go into this field, as we need more women. When it comes to engineering, we also need more women. Do you know that the President of Spacex is a woman? She is brilliant and admired. I also enjoy seeing female engineers at Tesla factories and female astronauts. Women need to work for companies that admire them for their skill and intelligence. If they don’t, move on.

What projects are you currently working on, and what goals do you have for the future, both personally and professionally?

So far, I have a very busy year with modeling jobs and speaking engagements. There are also some fun events with Elon, Kimbal and Tosca. Stay tuned. Very excited!

Team:

Talent: Maye Musk
Talent Manager: Anna Sherman
Photography: Carly Dame
1st assistant: Taylor Scragg
Ph. assistants: Jacqueline Giltrow, Lex Duff, Avery Swail, Diah Koesoebjono
Styling: Johanna Ankelhed
Production: Danilo Venturi, Anna la Germaine, Fashion Politique
Production Assistants: Gracia Nano, Maria Vittoria del Rosso
Strategic partnerships: Gili Biegun
Location: Hotel Viu Milan
Make up: Anna Agostena
Hair: Dario Usai