This Dartmouth ’17 strolls the catwalk for Givenchy
Is she fashion’s next big thing?
While most Dartmouth students spend their off-terms camped out at office desks for 14 hours a day, one junior has chosen a less-travelled route.
Natalie Ludwig ’17 has been working as a model.
The tall blonde from Vancouver, Canada took a break from campus life and her Sociology major to move to New York City, where her career is taking off.
The Tab had the chance to sit down with Natalie to ask her about her success.
When did you start modeling?
When I was 15 in Vancouver, but I signed with Elite (Model Management) right before freshman year at Dartmouth.
You walked in the Givenchy S/S 2016 show in New York Fashion Week. How did that happen?
That was super exciting. I went to all the castings for fashion week, and then ended up meeting with Riccardo Tisci, who is the designer of Givenchy. I got a call after I left his studio, half an hour later, and he told me I had an exclusive.
That meant that I just worked with him and was able to do looks with him with all of his designs up until the show, which was unreal because he is such an amazing designer.
So the exclusive means that you can’t walk in other shows?
Yeah. It means that you are their thing for that season.
What was the scariest part of walking in the show?
It was definitely the moments before stepping foot on the runway knowing who was in the crowd, like Anna Wintour (editor-in-chief of US Vogue) and everyone else.
Also, the fact that it was 9/11. It was a very emotional day, and it was the first time Givenchy was showing in New York instead of Paris, which is what they usually do.
So overall it was a huge day, and it was my first fashion week, so it was extremely nerve-wracking.
Model Candice Swanepoel fell, and you didn’t. How happy were you about that?
My ankle definitely twisted a little out there. The ground was extremely rough and there were stairs, so it was a situation where anyone could have fallen. But I was lucky that I didn’t.
Would you call the Givenchy show your Big Break?
I feel so grateful for it. It was definitely a huge accomplishment in my life, and I’ll never forget it, but I’m definitely looking forward and hoping that there’s something big coming up soon. That was such an incredible experience, but there’s definitely a lot more out there.
Who is the coolest person you have met so far?
I would say the designer Riccardo Tisci. He’s such a visionary, an inspiration, so artistically talented. Being able to work for him for a good period of time was super exciting.
Also in the show I was able to meet Candice Swanepoel, who was so sweet, which was awesome. Joan Smalls was also incredible to meet. In the industry those are the most exciting people I’ve met.
What is the day-to-day life of a model?
If I’m not working during the day, it consists of casting throughout the city, usually four or five calls. I wake up, go to boxing at Gotham Gym, and then go to all the castings.
If you have work, then the hours really depend on the job. Some can be from 6am to 10pm or just a little bit in the afternoon. It just depends on what you get. I just hope for as much as I can every week!
What was the J-Brand show that you did the other week?
J-Brand does the showing of their collection in a presentation formation. It was their Spring/Summer 2016 show. I was able to where one of their looks, which was a denim bikini.
So it wasn’t a runway show?
It’s the same as a show, except that J-Brand isn’t included in Fashion Week. It’s called a press preview presentation.
What’s your favorite part about modeling? Why do you like it so much?
I like it so much because you are able to explore so many emotions and channel them into an art form with the vision of the photographer. Every photo shoot is so different, and each allows me to be a different person.
Do you think that you’ve become more fashionable since you started modeling?
I definitely dress differently in New York than I do at Dartmouth. A lot more black. I guess you could say so. I’m always inspired by people walking around the city and the people I’m working with.
Do you get free stuff from designers?
You do with some work. I was given a present from doing the Givenchy show, but it really depends on the designer.
What’s your favorite perk of being a model?
Well during Fashion Week, my agency is included in The Model Lounge, which is a card you’re given. They have a lounge in the middle of the city, and you’re able to go there. It’s so beautiful.
It also gives you access to a free gym and a pool and discounts at SoulCycle and Juice Press. That was pretty cool. But it’s only during Fashion Week.
Do you think you get treated differently in the fashion world because you go to Dartmouth?
Yeah. People are always interested in that. I think I am more respected because of it.
Are you going to try to keep modeling in the winter and spring when you are back on campus?
I definitely want to continue modeling, but it’s tough because the next Fashion Week is in February, which is right in the middle of term.
I just need to stay on top of my classes and see what happens and maybe travel up some weeks or after classes and go to castings. I definitely want to continue though.
Do you think you want to modeling after college?
I haven’t gotten there yet, but I definitely do want to continue for now.
Natalie’s modeling stock has definitely been on the rise these past couple months (she was mentioned in Vogue). Surely it’s only a matter of time before her lovely face adorns a Times Square billboard.