A Fashion Week interview with model Lisanne de Jong

If last season was any indication, we’ll be seeing model Lisanne de Jong storm runways during Fashion Week.  The 20-year-old Dutch beauty walked in well over 50 shows last season alone — 20 in New York, including Thakoon, Donna Karan, Rag & Bone, Jill Stuart, Oscar de la Renta, Isaac Mizrahi and Proenza Schouler.  We caught up with the Elite model to get a sense of what, exactly, being a runway fixture entails.

How did you get into modeling? I was scouted on the street [in the Netherlands] when I was 14. I didn’t start modeling until after school — that was when I was 18.

Favorite thing about Fashion Week? Doing the shows! It gives me such a great energy kick, walking on those runways. It’s also a lot of fun, because during that month you’re always working with the same people you become like this one big family of nonstop workers, trying to make every show look amazing. It feels like you’re off the real planet for a while and living on the fashion planet.

Least favorite thing about Fashion Week? Sometimes I [have] very long days and during the month I don’t get much sleep.

Any designs you especially enjoy modeling? I’m obsessed with Proenza Schouler, so I loved what I was wearing during their show. The whole style of the collection was my favorite.

How do you typically prepare for shows? Before the castings start, I go shopping for some nice outfits and a good pair of heels. During the shows, it’s really important to have enough energy, eat well, sleep as much as you can, but also try to enjoy it and have fun.

Any shows you’d like to walk in? I’d love to do Alexander Wang and Valentino.

Does NY Fashion Week differ from Paris, London, Milan, etc? Every city is very different; every city has kind of its own style of fashion.

Favorite item of clothing that you own? Hard to choose! Bags: Balenciaga, Proenza Schouler and Celine. Clothing: Alexander Wang dress and boots.

What’s the first thing you do when Fashion Week ends? Last season, I ended it with a great party with a couple of models at Club Montana in Paris — it was so much fun.
A lot of fashion people were there and everyone was celebrating. The day after, I took the train to Holland and slept for a week.