Wheaton woman on 'Top Model'
Wheaton residents who turn on Wednesday's season premiere of “America's Next Top Model” on the CW might see a familiar face.
Wheaton resident and St. Francis High School graduate Kasia Pilewicz will join 13 others who hope to “smize” their way to a $100,000 CoverGirl contract as well as a shoot with the Italian version of Vogue magazine. (That's “smile with their eyes” to you Top Model newbies.)
The 27-year-old plus-size model has a degree in journalism from DePaul University and moved to New York in 2007 to jump start her modeling career.
Pilewicz recently spoke with the Daily Herald about her adjustment to New York, her reaction to others calling her a role model and her thoughts on New York's Fashion Week.
Q. How did being a relatively older contestant help you in your time on the show?
A. It's not that I know everything, but I went into it with a greater knowledge of the experience. I have done some work and have gotten more of a taste of modeling.
Q. What has it been like as you've started to get more consistent work?
A. It's really nice because people know who I am now and put the two together. They are already connecting me to my past work. Especially for plus-size models, you just don't get to do the high-fashion shoots every day. I've been lucky and worked really hard and have taken advantage of all of the opportunities I have received.
Q. Some consider you a role model, especially because of your status as a plus-size model. What's it like to hear that?
A. It's an honor to be called that. I'm just being myself and showing another side (with the show). Q. What do you think of your status as a plus-size model?
A. I like to think of myself as just a model, but the industry is very segregated.
Q. You lived in Chicago at DePaul University and now live in New York. How would you compare the two?
A. I was pretty used to the city lifestyle but, to be honest, the first time I came to New York I felt at home and felt it was the right place to me. It felt right. New York is quite a bit more congested. Chicago is a little more laid-back and New York has more of a quicker pace and more energy. Overall, there are nice people everywhere and the energy you put out is what you get back.
Q. How long have you been into fashion?
A. I have obsessed over fashion since I was a kid. My mom was so happy when I got into private school because I would usually take hours to get dressed every morning. Then, when I went to Catholic school through my senior year and we had out-of-uniform days, it was always a fashion show in school. I did a little modeling in high school locally and always have looked younger than I am.
Q. What was your first big photo shoot?
A. My first really big gig was Seventeen magazine and that was really cool. All of my friends were excited, but I did have to lie about my age. That's a regular thing in the industry. It was really exciting. I have worked with them a dozen times now. They are great; they have an easygoing vibe on the set. It's young and fun and happy. I cannot even say that I was nervous. They make you comfortable and it was a really good first big gig.
Q. Some say this year's Fashion Week was not as exciting as many of the past. What did you think?
A. I think it was cool. I've been going to a few shows and hanging out. Maybe, it's been a little bit, for fashion, conservative, but it's ready-to-wear. It's not a couture show like in Paris. Maybe people held back because of the economy and people might be playing it safer. They want to have things people want to buy and wear. But I have seen a lot of cute stuff and it's really wearable.
Q. Has your background in journalism helped during interviews as you have progressed in your career?
A. Everything I have done so far has kind of come together to where I am now. I took journalism, art, photography and learning about all of those things has helped me a lot. I had experience behind a camera and talking on camera. Whether you're on one side of the camera or not, it helps you.
Learning photography was great because I know about lighting now. I think everybody who wants to be involved in modeling should play behind the camera because you get another perspective.
Q. How did you balance being a role model and being competitive in the show's challenges?A. I didn't overthink any of them. I just was myself and I was hoping that was good enough. If you're trying too hard to please everybody, you're just going to drive yourself crazy. You have to be true to yourself always. That's the funny thing: I haven't set out to be a role model by being fake. I have been trying to be myself. That's the way to do it. It's all about creating your own path and it's gotten me far. I'm thinking this is only the beginning of my career.Q. What advice would you give prospective models from the Wheaton area?A. Really be true to yourself and where you come from. That is what makes you who you are. Whether you're from Wheaton or anywhere else, any other small town, it doesn't matter because you can be there. There are plenty of roads to lead you to work in New York and all over the world. It's a matter of learning. If girls want to do it, though, you have to make the leap, be brave and put yourself out there. If you don't take risks, you're not going to get anywhere. It's exhilarating and it's the only way to get anywhere.Q. Where do you hope your career takes you?A. I don't have an ultimate goal. Every day I come up with new things to do. I aim really high but if I reach a goal, does that mean I'm done? You constantly have to be wanting to do more and different things. It can be a number of things, not necessarily fashion. I have long-term goals but it's more like living in the moment and taking advantage of opportunities now. Q. You also want to act. What do you say to those who say models do not make successful actors?A. People will criticize and say that I can't do both. But why not? There is a stereotype that models cannot be actresses, but I hope people see that is not the case here. Hopefully everybody will love seeing me a long time and I hope doing this show will help my exposure immensely.