Juliette Smeys is the Rookie Who Walked Gabriela Hearst Runway Last Season
interview
Name:
Juliette Smeys
Agency:
IMM Bruxelles (Brussels)
Age:
18
Height:
5’11.5″
Place of Origin:
I am from Leuven, Belgium. This year I have been living in Paris.
Ethnic Origin:
I am fully Belgian, but during my secondary school years I attended an international school. These 6 years gave me the opportunity to thrive in a community built on a variety of nationalities.
Birthsign:
Libra
Instagram:
@juliettesmeys
How discovered:
I was discovered exactly a year ago in Paris. I was there to support my mother who was supposed to run the half marathon of Paris (which got canceled 🙁 ). Coincidently, Carine, my mother agent, was staying in the same hotel as me and we met in the lobby!
Best modeling experience so far?
My best modeling experience so far was my first show during Paris Fashion week this year. I walked for Gabriela Hearst and the show was cast by Jess Hallett, who was so great to give me some quick runway lessons and trust me with the show! This inclusive and genuine nature of all the people on set left me speechless and really opened my eyes to the joy I felt from being surrounded by this encouraging community.
Currently you’re obsessed with/about:
The US stock market has been on my mind a lot lately. Over the past couple of months I have taken an increasing interest in finance, and recently got accepted into UCLA’s prime finance organization as an analyst. I find it intriguing how the stock market changes so rapidly, and it is so intriguing to look at all the factors that influence these shifts. Moreover, I recently did a stock pitch on the oil and gas company ExxonMobil, in which I used valuation methods to estimate the intrinsic value of the company. These methods are what allow investors to buy shares under the market price if their predictions are right, and I find the process of looking for undervalued companies super exciting!
What is something you’ve always wanted to do/try?
Currently, I am fluent in 4 languages, Dutch, French, English, and Spanish. I would love to learn Chinese because I believe that China will soon, if not already, become the new business hub of the world. Moreover, it is my dream to travel around South America and visit as many countries as possible. I recently traveled to Colombia and absolutely fell in love with the culture!
How do you want to make an impact in the world?
I want to make an impact on the world through my studies. I am currently a first-year student at UCLA pursuing a major in Business Economics and a minor in Cognitive Science. I am passionate about human decision-making, and I want to use my studies in cognitive science to better understand human psychology and apply that knowledge to the business world. I believe that behavioral economics and finance are truly intriguing, and I want to help businesses integrate this knowledge into their business models because that is what can differentiate them from competitors. On a personal level, I like being remembered for my kindness, effort, and my willingness to help others, even though I know that they may not always return the favor.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
A “no” you have, a “yes” you can get. This saying drives me to just go out there, be myself, and take the leap. The worst that could happen is that I get a no – but I already have that. So I might as well the chance and get a yes instead.
