NATALIE JOOS WAS BORN AND RAISED IN BELGIUM, SHE BEGAN HER CAREER IN FASHION WHEN SHE MOVED TO NEW YORK IN 1997. WORKING FIRST AS A PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO GLENN O'BRIEN AND THEN AS A STUDIO MANAGER FOR THE ACCLAIMED PHOTOGRAPHER CRAIG MCDEAN, NATALIE STARTED HER OWN CASTING COMPANY IN 2003. SINCE THEN NATALIE HAS BUILT UP A ROSTER OF CLIENTS SUCH AS HUGO BOSS, HELMUT LANG, PHILLIP LIM, ETC.

AS WELL AS HAVING WORKED WITH PHOTOGRAPHERS SUCH AS MARIO SORRENTI, PAOLA KUDACKI, AND GREG KADEL, NATALIE WAS RECENTLY APPOINTED CASTING AGENT AT HERCULES MAGAZINE, AND IS A REGULAR CONTRIBUTOR TO V AND THE LAST MAGAZINE. SHE IS ALSO A STYLIST FOR HARPER'S BAZAAR RUSSIA AND A CONSULTANT FOR DESIGNERS SUCH AS PETER PILOTTO. HER BLOG 'TALES OF ENDEARMENT' IS ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BLOGS IN FASHION. WE MET NATALIE ON THE SET OF THE 'HONEST BY CALLA' CAMPAIGN SHOOT IN PARIS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS EXTRAORDINARY WOMAN AND HER OPINIONS ON LOVE, LIFE AND FASHION.

BP: NATALIE, WE'RE SO HAPPY YOU ACCEPTED TO MODEL FOR THE HONEST BY CALLA CAMPAIGN! IS THIS THE FIRST CAMPAIGN YOU HAVE EVER MODELED FOR ?
NJ: I think so! I did some modeling when I was a teenager but it was never anything cute like this.

BP: YOU ARE PHOTOGRAPHED EVERYWHERE YOU GO. DO YOU LIKE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED?
NJ: Let's just say I don't mind being photographed. It's always better to be in a controlled environment but I trust the street photographers to make me look good.

BP: WHAT IS A GOOD PHOTOGRAPHER IN YOUR OPINION?
NJ: Someone who knows how to make a woman look beautiful. Not everyone seems to understand angles and crops and lighting which is regrettable if you want to make photography a career.

BP: WHEN DID YOU MEET CALLA FOR THE FIRST TIME?
NJ: I met Calla when I came in to see the Commuun collection in Paris. She was at the same showroom and we talked for a bit.

BP: WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT CALLA AND HER COLLECTION FOR HONEST BY?
NJ: The fabric is super light. I can imagine this to be the perfect summer dress. I also love the bright prints. I could even see myself wear the men's outfit!

BP: HOW GREEN ARE YOU?
NJ: I recycle like it's a religion. I freak out when a guest throws a glass bottle in the wrong garbage can! Like, what were you thinking?? I separate everything! I turn off the heat and the lights as much as possible. And I wear a lot of vintage!

BP: WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON THE FASHION INDUSTRY TODAY?
NJ: I am really disgusted with all the disposable fashion that's being produced. There should be far less designers and much more sustainable work on the market. So much of the clothing production is unnecessary because it's bad.

BP: WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT FASHION?
NJ: Fashion is fun for me. I love clothes. I love creating looks. I love colors, shapes and fabrics. It's part of a daily routine I could not live without. Every day brings a new mood, and a new look. And I look forward to seeing what I will pull out each day because it's always a surprise!

BP: WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS TODAY?
NJ: Well my dream is to win the lottery and own my own private plane - I hate airports - but that's not what you meant I'm sure...

BP: HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
NJ: Focused, funny, playful, rational, reliable, independent, creative, smart.

BP: WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT LIFE SO FAR ?
NJ: Life is all about coincidences. It's unpredictable and adventurous. That's why I like a bit of routine in my life. To balance all the crazy shit that comes at you out of nowhere. Or is it?

BP: WHAT IS LOVE TO YOU?
NJ: Love is warmth.

BP: ARE YOU A ROMANTIC?
NJ: I am not really a romantic. Romance is a bit cheesy to me. I am more about hard truths than soft fantasies.

BP: WHAT IS HAPPINESS TO YOU ?
NJ: Happiness is a feeling of complete and utter contentness. When you can smile at the drop of a hat, just thinking about the very moment you are in.

BP: WHAT IS YOUR PHILOSOPHY TODAY ?
NJ: Life is not a rehearsal.

THANK YOU FOR THIS INTERVIEW ! 

http://talesofendearment.com/