Model behaviour

Tuesday, Jun 01, 2010

Gulf News

I wasn't sure what to expect when I headed to Burj Khalifa's Armani Hotel on Saturday to meet America's Next Top Model runner-up Raina Hein on her first international campaign.

I've seen her on the show as the cheerful girl from Minnesota who steers clear of trouble, with a few inevitable spits and spats among a houseful of competitive could-be models. Even bubblier in person, Hein was nothing if not gracious, well-spoken and excited about the hand she's been dealt. In a sleek spring-summer 2010 Ports 1961 gown, she looked effortlessly stunning, with an unwavering grin that brought out the small-town girl in her.

"I like to be very chic, very timeless," said the 1.77 metre model, donning a pair of strappy heels that had her towering over me. "I've recently started wearing pants more. I love dresses, I like being feminine and flirty, but at the same time I'm kind of leaning less towards that... Now I'm becoming a lot more classic."

Questionable fashion

Hein is the new face of Symphony Style's multi-brand fashion boutique that's set to open in Dubai Mall at the end of the year. The collaboration has everyone buzzing, but Hein's sense of fashion hasn't always been this well-honed. Like the rest of us mere mortals, she made some questionable clothing choices in the '90s. Luckily for the 22-year-old, she was young enough to blame it on her parents.

"I saw a picture the other day when I was very young, and I was wearing a bright orange turtle tank top with lime-green windbreaker pants and a matching jacket, and it was the most hideous image I've ever seen," she laughed, calling it her most tragic fashion moment. "I was like ‘Mum, why did you ever get them for me?!'"

That's not the only part of the '90s she might've been better off keeping to herself. The model admitted she used to be obsessed with boy band Hanson, and that she still has them on her iPod. "I definitely listened to MMMbop on the plane here."

Her ability to laugh at her own misfortunes was charming, and all dubious decisions aside, Hein seems like a force to be reckoned with, both in and out of the modelling industry. A mass communications graduate from Concordia University in her hometown, she thinks it's crucial to be more than just a pretty face. "It's very important to have an education, especially for women — your looks aren't going to last forever.

"I'm very interested in broadcast journalism, and I think that after modelling, I would love to pursue that."

We don't blame her for having a plan B. The public eye can put even the strongest celebrities on a nauseating roller coaster ride. "You always have to be polite, you always have to have energy, you always have to be respectful and proper, sit up straight, have a smile, look great all the time," she said with a full-toothed smile.

"Sometimes you just wanna throw on some comfortable clothes and run to the grocery store or to the market and back, but you can't."

Despite the absence of privacy — and despite the lack of sleep she suffered during the reality TV show that took her nearly four months to get over — Hein says she loves her current jam-packed schedule of interviews, agencies, and photo shoots.

Tyra-nical host

During a long day of interviews, Raina Hein was repeatedly asked about the woman responsible for her current spate of fame, America's Next Top Model host and former model Tyra Banks, and she had a carefully prepared response to each question ready. "She is very professional," she said.

"She's a businesswoman, and she's absolutely beautiful — very stunning in person. If she wants something, she'll get it. She works very, very hard."

Sadly for any ANTM wannabes hopeful about up getting close and personal with the larger-than-life Banks, Hein says she rarely spent time with her.

"Unfortunately, on the show, we didn't have enough time to really hang out with her and get to know her. So I only know what I saw when we were at panel, or when she was my photographer for that photo shoot."

Raina quickfires

Fashion no-nos: Socks with sandals.

Can't leave home without: NARS lip gloss and Bobbi Brown mascara.

Favourite models: Gemma Ward and Adriana Lima.

Fashion icon: Alexander McQueen.

By Marwa Hamad