Ulla Reiss attracts attention when she walks into a room regardless of whether that’s in a professional capacity or not. A native of Smolensk, Ulla first captivated Russian designers and the fashion community before Asia, Europe, and America soon followed. Her powerful presence is undeniable. While her movements were honed through training and years on the catwalk, Ms. Reiss divulges an internal motivation that is possibly the X-factor in what makes her so unique. She remarks, “I’ve always been curious about the world. If you’re curious, you become more aware of your surroundings and become more comfortable and willing to accept jobs that you might otherwise pass up. Being open to new experiences, gives you new opportunities for success in the modeling business. I would imagine there are some models who aren’t inquisitive or curious, but their beauty still makes them successful in the business. But having the beauty and the inquisitive and curious nature, along with intellect, will likely bring more success. Being curious and asking the right questions allows you to mix all of the experiences, questions, and answers together, and the entire picture becomes fruitful. Right after I was discovered and asked to model, my curiosity and inquisitive nature led the way.”
Leyla Aliyeva oversees the culture and fashion magazine Baku. She personally requested Ulla to adorn the pages of the magazine in a spread photographed by famed Swedish fashion photographer Tomas Falmer. Falmer, known for his features in Vogue, Bon, and other premier publications, photographed Ms. Reiss adorned in premier designers such as Dior, Prada, Hugo Boss, Gucci, and the like against the stunning modern architecture of the Azerbaijan cityscape. The contrast of the futuristic geometric shapes and buildings of these locations with the luminous appearance of Ulla establishes a tone of complex beauty.
A drastically different tone and experience was had by Ulla when she appeared as part of Nathaniel Brown’s art project titled “The Birth of Eve” in 2012. Presented in New York City and Los Angeles, this immersive gallery experience combined a sensual early Renaissance style inspired by Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam” with ambient sound for a contrast of tech-meets-ethereal qualities. Ulla’s role demanded she spend most of the day in water, holding her breath for extended periods of time. Ulla’s appearance as part of this exhibit rebukes any notion that modeling does not at times extract an immense physical toll. Regarding what led her to this project, Reiss notes, “I really admired Nathaniel’s work and wanted to be part of his creative process. I was also very excited to work with a very professional team that he collaborated with like Milk Studios and Legs Media. It was a unique and modern idea in the way that it was shot and presented.”
This adventurous approach to her career led to Ulla Reiss being featured as “Model of the Week” on Models.com in 2012. This leading interactive fashion database and influential fashion news site exclusively features established high-fashion models. While her unique look has certainly provided her with many admirers, Ulla’s appearance on such a prestigious outlet as Models.com places her among the top ranks of the fashion industry with an increased visibility and influence within the community. Modeling is not just about beauty. Personality, character, and individual charisma attract attention as much as, if not more than, being aesthetically pleasing. Ulla Reiss seems to personify a zeal for life and the desire to squeeze the most out of it.
https://models.com/newfaces/modeloftheweek/23097
Writer :Basil Thomson
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