Her look on “Germany’s Subsequent High Mannequin” (GNTM) solely lasted one episode. However whereas many candidates disappear from the limelight after they’re eradicated, Anja Kossiwakis’ actual profession started after the casting present. As a world “Finest Ager Mannequin,” the 57-year-old now stands for change in an trade that for a very long time paid little consideration to girls with grey hair.
Up to now, says the Dessau native and present Wiesbaden resident, this was precisely what was unthinkable within the style world. “Gray hair makes you previous and lengthy hair in grey doesn’t work in any respect. That was truly a no-go.” At present that’s precisely her trademark – and Kossiwakis is already having fun with her second profession as a mannequin.
From a GDR discover to a canopy mannequin
Her first encounter with the style world was many years in the past – within the late GDR. On the time, Kossiwakis was working on the Sparkasse in Dessau. She discovers a discover in a store window: “The “Writer for Ladies” is searching for picture fashions” it says. She applies, is added to the file and waits.
It took two years till she received her first modeling job. The photographer places her in entrance of the digicam with out make-up. «They stated: Anja, you’re the pure magnificence. You do not want any make-up.” She made it onto a number of covers of the journal “Modische Maschen”. However modeling stays a passion between on a regular basis life and an workplace job.
New beginnings within the West
On November ninth, 1989 the wall comes down. A day later, Anja travels west. “On the tenth I received on the practice, on November eleventh I used to be in Wiesbaden.» There she finds work once more on the financial savings financial institution. Modeling is changing into a good distance off. She truly needed to mannequin on the aspect, like she used to do within the GDR. However that did not work so simply within the West. “In some unspecified time in the future I used to be too previous for it,” she says wanting again.
For a few years, modeling remained only a aspect notice. Kossiwakis works, has youngsters and later will get extra concerned with style as a style blogger. She writes, images and visits Fashion Week in Paris. There she makes contact with designers, photographers and fashions.
Early finish on the casting present – kickstart to your modeling profession
Kossiwakis’ springboard again into lively modeling life is the casting present GNTM. “I simply thought it was cool that variety was instantly widespread,” she says. Her youngsters’s enthusiasm was initially restricted. She nonetheless determined to embark on the tv journey. “I stated, oh, I’ll simply do it now.”
Her look on the present is brief, however attracts consideration. One scene specifically goes viral: Anja asks Heidi Klum if she remembers her from a earlier Style Week and fingers over a private picture e-book. Klum reacts cautiously. The second is being mentioned on social media. However that’s precisely what turns into the turning level. Shortly after the published, the media reported on the “GDR mannequin”. Movies of her are spreading quickly, reaching tens of millions of views.
Wiesbaden stays her house
After the GNTM exit, a second profession begins. Catwalk jobs, campaigns and worldwide company contracts comply with. Initially of 2026, Kossiwakis will probably be working at Paris Style Week for the primary time. Additional worldwide catwalk jobs are already deliberate for the summer time season. Her early expulsion from GNTM was one of the best factor that would have occurred to her. “Effectively, I imply, Heidi, she throws me out after which I’m in Paris on the catwalk and I signed the modeling contract with one of many largest modeling companies on the earth,” she says. “So there’s no larger praise for me.”
At present she works internationally and is booked in varied markets. Your calendar is filling up far past Germany. Wiesbaden nonetheless stays her mounted level. “I like Paris,” she says. “However that is my house.”
No “grey mouse”
Many ladies write Kossiwakis and discuss their very own breaks, about insecurity, in regards to the feeling of being “too previous” for brand spanking new issues. Kossiwakis due to this fact sees her late profession as a sign. It’s inspiring to start out once more in your mid-50s. “You don’t have to cover and say, I’m a grey mouse now,” she laughs and factors to her grey hair. “Okay, my hair is grey now, however you may nonetheless be fashionable in your mid-50s and also you don’t must turn into invisible.”
Older girls merely belong extra in style, she says. “I have not had something completed, I nearly by no means put on make-up and I am truly nonetheless the pure one from the GDR.” That is precisely what convinces folks.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:260607-930-184360/1