Nathalie Darcas sat down with the All My Friends Are Models team to talk music, relationships, social media, and much more. See below for the full interview.
Half French, Half American – my mate Nat started studying Biomedicine after school to then defer and travel for work and she hasn’t really looked back! Armed with her cheery, super sweet personality and cheeky smile she took off.
Basing herself between Sydney and Melbourne, modelling with Chadwicks and Chic she then took off to the States for work. While there last year she featured in editorials and (covers) for Marie France, Women’s health US, Shape Germany and has shot for Billabong, a handful of editorials for Cleo, Women’s fitness, Lucky Brand denim US, Cotton on body, bunch of campaigns for Lorna Jane, endless list of swimwear labels, Sports Girl, Jeans West, a contract with Windsor Smith, and the list goes on.
While not exactly shooting in the high end department, she is making a mark for herself in AUS and in the states as the quintessential Girl Next Door/Aussie beach babe.
Recently, back in Melbourne we wanted to shoot a story with some edge and grunge, using natural light and a garage.
What’s your background? Where did you grow up?
My dad is French and mum is American. As a result I was born in Connecticut, USA. I lived there for a couple of years before moving to a suburb outside of Paris until I was about ten years old for dad’s work. We then somehow ended up in Melbourne where my family has lived ever since. A little bit confusing but so fun having lived in all of these different places! As a result of it all I can say I speak fluent French.
You seem to shoot for a lot of swimwear and sports labels. What’s that like? Are you naturally quite fit and healthy?
I love it!! I grew up being outdoors all the time, hiking, swimming in lakes, bike riding around our neighborhood in France. I love being active and have recently started studying a nutritional medicine degree part time online. Shooting for labels and magazines that embody this sort of lifestyle means I get to shoot in some really beautiful locations too with some pretty awesome clients.
Where has modeling taken you?
When I first got to LA last year, I was lucky enough to be taken by women’s health to this incredible ranch up in Topanga. It was this simple, rustic cabin overlooking these amazing hills and the interior was incredible. They had their own little outdoor shower over looking the hills and everything! That and going to the Gili Islands for a week last year with Cleo and Billabong in the midst of living in New York with no beach in sight. It felt amazing! Oh, and I recently went to Wanaka in New Zealand for a shoot too… that was pretty cool!!
What’s your favorite aspect of the job?
It has to be the travelling. The nature of the job has allowed me to live for months at a time in so many incredible different cities. As long as I am working well… you really can stick around for as long as you please… or until you feel you need to move on. It is all very transient, but to a certain extend there is a lot of flexibility.
What do you struggle with the most?
Ahhh… It’s always changing! For one, constantly moving around and basing yourself in different places for work can be really challenging and daunting at first but ultimately so beneficial as you really get to know yourself…and you become super independent. The work itself is also so sporadic. You can go from one crazy busy week to one that is completely dead. It can be hard to factor and plan the rest of your life around that. I constantly tend to feel a little all over the place due to the lack of routine in my life. On the flip side, that very aspect can actually be quite fun and exciting, as you never know what might be around the corner.
Does if ever affect your relationships?
Absolutely. You have to put in a lot more effort when you are away from friends and family. It can also be quite hard if you start seeing someone… Unless I’m back in Melbourne I’m probably not sticking around for more than 6 months, which can pose a bit of a problem if you start to really like them! But hey, I’ve found you bounce back pretty damn quickly from that sort of thing once you get to a new place and life starts to get busy again.
Where is your favourite city in the world?
Probably Paris… I am completely I love with the architecture and language…nat darcas bike bralette
Where do you call home?
Melbourne
What are your thoughts around social media?
For so long I was so resistant towards it. I also felt quite frustrated and frankly pissed off at the way it seemed to be completely changing the dynamic and nature of the industry. What if I wanted to keep my personal life private, and my down time chilling out and enjoying the moment rather than always being on the lookout for a cool Instagram opportunity? Over time I have slowly come around to it though. I do realize it’s a great way to get yourself out there and get on the radar of potential clients. People want to see what your up to and what your about. I guess it’s just one of those things that’s going to take a bit of getting used to.
Favourite bands/ Artists at the moment?
I went and saw #1 dad’s play at the Enmore the other night. I am absolutely obsessed. That and I’m loving a bit of London grammar, the national, alt j, banks and Cold War kids…
Where is your favourite city in the world?
Probably Paris… I am completely I love with the architecture and language…
Where do you call home?
Melbourne
What is your most memorable modelling moment?
Probably living and working in New York for six months… we can classify that under an extremely prolonged… exciting moment.
Instagram: @natdarcas
Photographer: David Higgs
Stylist: Elaine Marshall
