A Delightful Interview with Betül Ekşi: What Would You Be If You Weren’t a Model?
Betül, first of all, thank you for kindly accepting our interview request. You take part in many fashion shows, and that is where we know you from.
On behalf of your followers and fans, we would like to get to know you better. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
-Hello, I’m 22. I was born and raised in Istanbul, but my family is originally from Rize. Before I started modelling, I did modern dance and ballet for a short while. After that I took up volleyball and played for about nine years. It had become part of my life. But sadly I had to give it up after an injury. After that I started finding myself on runways rather than on the court 🙂 I’ve been modelling for about two and a half years now.
The dream of modelling
Why modelling? When did you first realise you wanted to be a model?
-Actually, it had been one of my dreams since I was little. I was very young. I used to put on my mother’s high heels and try to walk around the house as if I were on a runway. I think that’s when I first wanted it 🙂 One of the biggest reasons, of course, is being able to make my dream come true.
I imagine you get asked about your measurements a lot. So instead of asking that, I’ll ask directly how you stay so slim. Do you follow a special programme or diet?
-That’s usually the question I get asked most. It annoys people a bit. But believe me, I haven’t done anything special for about two years. Before modelling I played volleyball, so I had a sport I did regularly. Basically, I’ve always been like this for as long as I can remember. I’m one of those people who eat and can’t put on weight, though I can’t say I love eating that much either. When I don’t eat I lose weight, but when I do eat I can’t gain any. It’s very strange.
Models who inspire her
Is there a model who inspires you?
–There are models whose runway walk I really admire: one is Adut Akech Bior and the other is Kaia Gerber.
You take part in many shows and get to see designers’ entire collections up close. Which designer did you feel was closest to your own style?
-Every designer whose designs I’ve worn is very special to me. Honestly, at first glance I sometimes think something isn’t my style. But many times, once I’ve put it on, I’ve really loved it on me. So I don’t think I can name anyone in particular.
Is your future plan still modelling, or are you considering other sectors too?
-In modelling, there are still many things I need to do and many of my own dreams I need to make come true. Really, to go as far as it can take me. And when I stop modelling, to do something in public relations, which I’m still studying.
What would she be if she weren’t a model?
What profession would you be in if you weren’t a model?
-I think if I’d realised it much earlier, I would have been a pharmacist. I have an amazing memory for medicines and I never forget which medicine is used for what. It’s totally random, but I even know most of the medicines I’ve never taken myself 🙂 That’s why I would have liked to be a pharmacist.
Is there an experience from the shows that you’d like to share?
-For me, every job I do and every show I walk is a different experience. I usually watch myself back after shows and always try to do better. Each of those becomes a different experience for me.
What she likes and dislikes about herself
What do you like most and least about yourself?
-What I like most is being responsible and being able to give my very best in any job I do, whatever the situation. One of the things I don’t like is that I’m extremely lazy. If I have no work and I’m not bored, I hardly ever leave the house. I can even be too lazy to eat.
Which part of your body do you like most? Do you diet or exercise?
-In general I actually like every part of my body. If I had to single something out, I’d say my legs and my eyes.
Are there any brands, fashion editors, bloggers or YouTubers you follow?
-I’m in love with YSL, and every time I put on one of their shows I get really emotional and cry. Every time I watch, I think, what more could they possibly do next time, but every time they do even better.. There’s no one else I follow the way I follow YSL. Apart from that, I read and watch most things that touch me, that add something to me in every sense and that interest me more.
If you had to save three things from your clothes or accessories, what would they be?
-I think first it would be my trousers, because they’re the hardest thing for me to find in my size. Apart from that, my shoes and my bags.
Image: A volleyball resting on a parquet floor (representative image) — Sami Mlouhi, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Style, books and films
How would you describe your style?
-I can’t fit it into any particular mould because it changes. I put on whatever style makes me feel good in my mood at that moment and head out. It can be classic, it can be a masculine look, or it can be very sporty. So I’d say I define my style according to my mood.
Is there a film or book that has left a mark on you?
-André Gide’s book The Pastoral Symphony affected me a lot. I read it a long time ago, but it’s still somewhere in my mind. As for films, I can’t say one left a mark. But the Harry Potter series is one that will never get old for me, and I’ll always keep watching it without ever getting bored.
Thank you again for the delightful and candid conversation, Betül.
Betül Ekşi’s Instagram page: betuleksii
Highlights from the Betül Ekşi interview
According to what she told us in the interview, Betül Ekşi was born and raised in Istanbul, and her family is originally from Rize. Before starting modelling she did modern dance and ballet for a short time, then played volleyball for nine years. When an injury forced her off the court, she found herself on the runway. She recalls doing runway walks around the house in her mother’s high heels as a child.
- Models who inspire her: Adut Akech and Kaia Gerber.
- The brand she follows: YSL; she says she watches every one of its shows with great excitement.
- If she weren’t a model: She would have liked to be a pharmacist, thanks to her strong memory for medicines.
- Future plans: To work in public relations, the field she is studying, once she stops modelling.
For a conversation with another runway face, take a look at our interview with Buse İskenderoğlu. For general information on how fashion shows work, see the fashion show entry on Wikipedia.