Since her childhood, Mary, 17, has often posed as a model, but she did not expect to participate, a few years later, in the biggest Fashion Week in the world, that of New York. “I started modeling at ten years old, mainly for photo shoots,” explains the Argovienne to “20 Minuten”. At 13, the young Swiss-American put her career on hold before returning in spectacular fashion, directly to the big stage of New York Fashion Week.
Direction New York, thanks to a competition
When Mary returned to modeling last May, she focused primarily on runway shows. “Unlike photo shoots, this is about presenting a look live on the catwalk,” she confides to “20 Minuten”.
In August, she took part in “Kenu Models Around the World”, an international competition organized by the Kenu boutique, to discover new talents. The format includes castings and a finale in Zurich, where the models parade with the Kenu collection. The grand prize: a trip to New York Fashion Week (NYFW).
Mary wins the competition and thus wins a trip to New York, including flight and accommodation. The four other finalists in the top 5 were also able to come, but at their own expense.
“I was so focused that I didn’t even see the crowd”
“It was incredible, completely surreal,” Mary says of her time at Fashion Week. She barely remembers the audience: “While walking, I was concentrating on not falling and staying in the center of the podium.” However, she adds: “I knew the room was large and well filled.”
And as if walking for designer Ketty Nunez wasn’t enough, another surprise awaited her: Mary was hired a second time, this time by designer Vava Zadi. “Actually, only my friend was going to participate in her parade,” Mary explains. “I was just accompanying him until Vava Zadi noticed me. He told me he would have something for me too. A few hours later, I was scrolling again. It was totally unexpected.”
Future goal: study fashion journalism
Mary stayed in New York for five days. Back in Switzerland, she resumed her routine: she attended the Aargau School of Applied Arts, where she trained as a stylist and clothing designer.
In particular, she learned to create clothes, take measurements and make custom pieces for clients. “I work on very varied orders, from the sketch to the pattern, to the finished garment,” she explains.
For now, modeling will remain a secondary activity. “If the opportunity presented itself to work full-time as a model, I would take it without hesitation,” says the 17-year-old, while emphasizing that this is not her main goal at the moment. Even though she loves her job, Mary plans to continue her studies after her training. “I could see myself doing fashion journalism, perhaps in Milan or Paris.”
(man)
Josephine Schertenleib (jos) has worked for 20 Minuten since 2024. She has been an intern since September 2024 in the News & Society department.
