Urbanity Chic , Spotlight Interview

Maya Deeb is a Lebanese fashion model who currently is living and working in Kent, UK. At Urbanity Chic when we first checked out Maya’s modeling portfolio we were impressed and were therefore delighted that despite her hectic schedule she agreed to be interviewed! Read on to find out Maya’s fashion inspirations, who her favourite photographers are and what has motivated her to pursue a career in fashion.

Maya Deeb

Q: How did you get into fashion modeling?

Accidently! I got married in Lebanon and moved to UK with my husband but after having my first child I thought it might be the time to start thinking about myself and fulfilling some of my dreams, one of them was modeling.

Q: How have the last 12 months been for you?

Fantastic, incredible. I feel very blessed to have a supportive partner, great family, and friends who continue to inspire me. The past 12 months have been about growth both as a person and model. I have achieved a lot in this last year and I am very proud to be able to combine both work and family and being able to succeed in both.

Q: Who inspires you?

Heidi Klum, Kate Moss, Tyra Banks. They are really very intelligent and powerful women, they started their carriers in modeling and pursue their dreams and took advantage of their success to build up a name. For example, in December 2004 Heidi Klum became the host, judge and executive producer of the reality show Project Runaway. She designed clothing lines, shoes for Birkenstock, jewelry for Mouawad, a clothing line for Jordache, and swimsuits. She has two fragrances, called “Heidi Klum” and “Me”; she designed makeup for Victoria’s Secret as part of their very Sexy Makeup Collection titled “The Heidi Klum Collection” and not to forget that she is judge and co-producer of Germany’s Next Top Model. Most of all she is a “mum”. They really deserve our respect for their achievement and dedication.

Q: Which modern day fashion designers or fashion icons do you look up to?

I am a fashionista and since I am Lebanese I do like Lebanese designers such as the icon Elie Saab ‘King of the red carpet’. This is what a successful designer does; creates something different, catchy, plays with patterns, shades. He became an overnight success after he became the first Lebanese designer to dress an Oscar winner, Halle Berry, in 2002. Also, not to forget Zuhair Murad, Georges Chakra, Georges Hobeika, and recently, Tony Ward who dressed Giuliana Rancic in the 2012 Oscars in a gorgeous white couture gown.

Q: Do you prefer to shoot on location or in the studio?

Both each one has his own advantage but the biggest difference is that if you’re working outdoors you are in an  “uncontrolled” situation -- sun, cloud, wind and rain are all major factors in  disturbing, enhancing and generally making your day interesting and adventurous.

Q: How do you prepare for a fashion shoot or show?

I spend lots of time grooming myself such as doing my nails …and I usually have a bath and go to sleep early to be able to get up relaxed and ready for the shoot or show.

Q: Who is your favourite photographer?

Actually there is a few …Dimitra Sardi, Luke Fenech, Jonathan Tennant, Robert Hooper are my favourites.

Each one have their own style; but in a very amazing and unique way.

Maya Deeb

Q: Is there anybody you would like to work with?

I would like to work with John Farrar, he is a very talented photographer, He has his own and unique style in shooting and retouching and creating new concept and ideas. He is very dedicated to his work and he looks into details so that the photo is not only a picture but also a work of art. Hopefully will have the chance to work with him.

Q: What does fashion mean to you?

I am a fashionista, I like fashion a lot. It is my obsession; I put emotions into the way I dress and try to give my clothes personality but in a very classy way. I believe if you dress right, you feel more confident about yourself and about your age. Fashions may vary considerably within a society according to age, social class, generation, occupation, and geography as well as over time. If, for example, an older person dresses according to the fashion of young people, he or she may look ridiculous in the eyes of both young and older people. The terms fashionista and fashion victim refer to someone who slavishly follows current fashions.

Q: How would you define your personal style?

I am a very chic and sophisticated person. My style is classy, glamorous, without being a pushover and without being flashy. “Simple and elegant” the best two words to describe it.

Q: Where are you based?

I am based in Beckenham, Kent, UK

Q: What’s it like being where you’re from?

I am very proud of being ‘Lebanese”. Beirut has always been the city of Fashion. Fashionable and trendy, Beirut is the cultural epicenter of Lebanon. The city is bustling with life and oozing with charisma. Lebanese live life to the full, taking in all the city’s gastronomic delights, ambience, and leisure activities until the early hours of the morning. Between the time they leave work and the time they arrive home, a true Lebanese fits in shopping, a gallery opening, drinks with friends at a new bar, dinner around 10pm, before hitting a nightclub in Achrafiyé around midnight. Whether it is music and theatre, galleries, shopping, or dining that you are after, there is no end to the choices for those visiting Beirut.

Maya Deeb

Q: What’s been the highlight of your career to date?

I am so grateful that I get to work with every one whom I have come across in this industry, from makeup artists, photographers, designers, Stylists, Retouchers and getting to know them not only from a business perspective but even from a personal one, and having them as FRIENDS.

Q: What are you hoping to achieve over the next 12 months?

I’d really like to pursue any presenting opportunities. Also, I’m always excited to learn new things and develop as a model

Q: What do you do to relax?

I usually listen to music and dance to relax.

Q: Where would your favourite holiday (vacation) be and why?

It has to be in Valencia, Spain. I have never been to Spain before. With her perfect climate, magnificent beaches along the Costa Blanca, famous southern hospitality, superb gastronomy, and cultural and artistic tradition that dates back several millennia, makes it the ideal vacation getaway.

Q: What songs are on your iPod at the moment?

Since French is my second language I do like French singers like Patrick Fiori, Daniel Lavoie and Garou (belle), I am a romantic kind of person so I do listen to Julio Iglesias a lot.

Maya Deeb

Q: Do you have any interesting hobbies?

Besides shopping I do like cooking a lot, trying new dishes and new recipes since my husband is an executive chef I do like to impress him with my cooking and culinary skills.

Q: If you could give a little piece of advice for new or aspiring models what would it be?

Always be confident about yourself and your ability to achieve what you are asked to do. Put your soul in what you do and make sure to do your best. Your personality is so important because this is what differentiates you from other models and open doors to you. Be Natural and yourself doing not over pose. Great smile, positive attitude, punctuality and professionalism are the green ticket to success in this industry.

You have to believe in yourself and be strong because you never know when work will come. Always learn new things and make research about new designers new campaign what’s new in the fashion world since it is important to know your industry. Take care of yourself because modeling industry can be hard and cheeky especially on young started models so my advice would be to try to stay headstrong and let all the negative side of modeling bounce off you and not affect you.

Q: What motivates you to do what you do?

My baby motivates me. I want to be an idol so he can be the best he could be in the future. I want him to follow his dreams and do not let obstacles stop him from fulfilling and achieving his desires. Life is too short so make the best of it.

Maya Deeb

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to let our readers know about?

I would like to say that nothing is impossible; everything is achievable if you put your heart and soul into it.

Editor’s Note: Maya Deeb has an understated yet stylish high fashion look which suits itself to a variety of commercial styles. At Urbanity Chic we’re looking forward to Maya’s career in fashion develop over the coming months and years.

If you’d like to learn more about or contact Maya Deeb, just follow the links below:

twitter link: https://twitter.com/#!/Mayaakdib

Facebook link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Model-Maya-Deeb

Model mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/2161547