MR Denim Collection invites you to discover the exclusive interview with Crystal Renn.
Music by Parralox

THE INTERVIEW

Her curves have been immortalised by the most important fashion photographers like Steven Meisel, Ellen Von Unwerth, Ruven Afanador and Patrick Demarchelier. Her dynamic and radiant beauty has illuminated the pages of Vogue, Elle and Harper's Bazaar.
At just 24, Crystal Renn is one of the most appreciated and wanted top models in the world. And yet, ten years ago when a talent scout foresaw a brilliant future for her on the catwalks, this young girl from Miami had never even flipped through a fashion magazine.

HOW DID THAT MEETING GO?
I was 14 then. A talent scout searching for models stopped and said: «You're beautiful and you'll be a famous top model». I was speechless because up until then I knew that only my mother had faith in what I could do. At that time I certainly wasn't the type of girl that my school mates thought of as attractive: I was quite a lot curvier than my peers and the comments about my figure were far from flattering.
 

WHAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE THEN?
I've lived experiences that I would never even have imagined: working as a model has given me the chance to grow, see the world and make friends.
I'm always on the move of course: flying on four airplanes a day is quite tiring and I’m often exhausted. But I’m well aware of my luck: very few girls at my age have the privilege of living so intensely. I’m truly grateful for my success, for all the recognition I get and for having met some important people who understand me and know how to support me.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN BEING A FAMOUS TOP MODEL AT JUST 24?
Popularity hasn't changed me at all, I'm just the same, despite everything, and I’ve always tried to be loyal and sincere with myself. I know who I am, where I come from and whom I can trust: knowing this means I can get on with my job with a light heart. Without considering that working as a model has really been important for my personal career.

HOW SO?
I used to think that being thin was the only way to be successful. I tried everything to get into the sizes dictated by regular fashion and started down the anorexia path. I then discovered that over sizes existed, I signed a contract with an important fashion agency and I finally felt free. This helped me psychologically and even improved how I acted on the catwalk and on the set. I now feel at home in front of the lens, at last I can express myself and I have a special feeling with the camera. Since I’ve felt okay with my body, my personal and professional relations have also improved.

YOU LIKE YOURSELF THEN?
I'm proud of myself. I’ve found that my body is strong, powerful and can take me anywhere I want.

WHEN YOU’RE WALKING DOWN THE CATWALK OR WHEN YOU’RE IN FRONT THE CAMERA, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO CONVEY TO THE PUBLIC?
The pleasure of feeling good with yourself: I would like all women to always understand just how at home I feel and understand the importance of feeling beautiful in everyday life. For this it is essential for there not to be just one reference in a woman’s attire: we are not all the same and we have different needs.
 

DO YOU THINK FASHION IS CHANGING?
I certainly do: it’s a dynamic world that doesn’t stop going places. Every ten years or so it has had a different benchmark and trends keep on mixing together. At last, today, stylists have realised that there’s not just one feminine model and they do try talking to real women more often.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN BEING THE TESTIMONIAL OF MARINA RINALDI’S NEW DENIM COLLECTION?
This collection is a benchmark for all women: I think it manages to interpret their wishes and make them feel secure. The message it gives is as I see life. And this is why I’m happy to be able to wear the Denim Collection, a line that shows up and enhances the figure and it makes me feel attractive.

DO YOU LIKE JEANS?
They are everlasting, irreplaceable. I love them because they’re comfortable, simple but also sexy. I think they’re ideal for travelling or for a long haul flight. I also like wearing mannish-cut ones: they fall just right in the right places.

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’RE NOT MODELLING?
I love writing: I published a book in 2009 called Hungry, together with the reporter Marjorie Ingall and I’m now working as a fashion parade correspondent for Glamour magazine. And I love creating: I enjoy everything that has to do with fashion, from creative management to photography.

HAVE YOU GOT A DREAM THAT YOU’D LIKE TO SEE COME TRUE?
I would really like to design my own line sometime in the future. Women need to have more alternatives. My experience with Marina Rinaldi has helped me understand their needs even better still, to be more sensitive towards them which is why I’d like to create clothes that would help them feel beautiful and at ease.
 

DO YOU EVER USE THE WEB FOR WORK?
Internet is an extraordinary source of inspiration. I can compare different styles, learn about new things, experiment. It’s quick and easy to see what the new trends are and renew your own personal look: there I can discover the existence of a new line of bags or look for a certain type of shoe. It’s great that Marina Rinaldi has its own site plus a blog not just for its customers but for all curvy women. A place where they can see what’s new, improve their style, learn a lot about fashion. It’s a perfect tool to bring women together, have feedback on their needs, work to satisfy them.