Äli has become one of the favourite models of Estonian designers. Her beauty is memorable, her eyes radiate mystery and her face is reminiscent of the Mona Lisa. Of course, Tanel and Aldo immediately fell in love with Äli’s uncanny state, and over the years they have done countless fashion shows together. Most recently, Tanel asked Äli in front of his camera to capture the gem-like beauty of the Mineralia collection. We asked Äli to open up a little about the world behind her magic.
Äli in 2018 while photographing the jewellery series "Neffi".
Do you remember your first modeling job? How different have your perceptions of reality been?
The first real job that I got paid for, maybe Iris Janvier Resort 2015? I was 14 at the time and since it was my very first job, I honestly had no idea, I just went there with a completely open mind and saw what would happen. It seems to me that the imagination is often more beautiful than reality, but maybe it stems from too high expectations, who knows?
What do you enjoy most about your job and what do you hate?
I enjoy the variety of work, new people, new situations, and new stories. I like that even if some work is seemingly the same and monotonous (eg e-shop photography), there is always something different about them. In terms of criticism, I would point out the lack of any regulations and the resulting situation where models often have no protection, for example, from persons who take advantage of their position of power or in matters related to fees.
Captures of Äli at the presentation of the collection "Kiir" 2023
Photos: Kati Viikmaa
I still remember a picture of Äli with a book from the back room of fashion shows. While others are scrolling through their phones, you act like a soothing creature from another world. Talk about your favourite books. And give one worthwhile recommendation to our readers!
Yes, I think I always have a book with me just in case, even if I know I won’t find time to read. I also feel that reading creates a calm environment for me, so that I can be in my own world, and it is especially useful in environments full of hustle and bustle, such as the backroom of shows, reading helps to stay grounded in this case. A couple of my favourite books are “Children of Everything” and “The M-train” by Patti Smith and “Letters to a Young Poet” by Rainer Maria Rilke, and these are also my recommendations, something about these books work for me like a warm blanket in a cold room.
You graduated from Tartu University with a degree in psychology. Where do you see yourself in the future? Where are you steering?
I finished yes. To be honest, at the moment I can’t say exactly where I see myself in the future (perhaps I just don’t want to say it). I plan to do a master’s degree as well, and in terms of psychology, I would see myself working with children and young people who are victims of violence, maybe it will be narrowed down to sexual violence. In general, I steer where my heart leads and just try to go with the flow, I’ll eventually get to where I need to go, and I don’t want to put myself in a box too harshly.
Äli and the Mineralia silk 2023
Talk about your sense of style ... describe the favourites in your wardrobe.
Most of my wardrobe is probably full of black things. I rather like simple clothing items that can be easily matched and look good without much effort or a statement piece. I’m mostly drawn to looser silhouettes, for some reason I don’t like clothes that are in any way tight or revealing in any way. My favourites are some of the looser black trousers from Copenhagen, a nice heavy sweater and Doc Martens.
What is your relationship with jewellery?
I have a very similar relationship with jewellery as I do with clothes, I like jewellery that fits together without much fuss and that can be worn on a daily basis. My jewellery is all silver and rather simple, that way they don’t have any big competition with my rivets because too much of a good thing is not a good thing.
Photos from Äli's private collection
What do you wear when you want to feel like a queen?
I don’t have a specific item of clothing or fit for such an occasion, it’s more about my mood. When I want to feel powerful, I play my favourite music of the moment and remind myself how cool a person I am. I think a good and honest relationship with yourself is the best thing to wear for such a case, and if a person doesn’t have it yet, then “fake it til you make it” works very well.
