“With confidence, you have won before you have started.” - Marcus Garvey. Carola has enthusiastically chosen the path of becoming a successful model and today is moving up in the fashion world as a confident model. Carola has been featured in Freddy's video commercial "The Art of Movement", BBC's Ways of Talking: Persuading, Explaining, Instructing and many more. She has also been featured in the film Sign Gene, the first superhero film about deaf mutants who have superhuman powers using sign language.

Can you tell us about your journey of becoming a model? What is the most exciting part of being a model?C: I started at age 8 as a TV presenter and actress for a Norwegian broadcast channel for 10 years before I joined a circus in London, becoming a clown, a contortionist and doing aerial performance. In 2011 I was asked to do a catwalk in Copenhagen Fashion Week as a circus performer. That is how it all started. At the moment I am signed to Women Milano. I have come to realize that modeling always has been in my blood. The most exciting part is definitely meeting new and creative people every day and to be a part of a vision coming true.

What was your most memorable and challenging assignment so far? How do you usually pick an assignment?C: My fantastic agents pick the assignments for me. I remember one shooting back in Tokyo where I got a beautiful mask on my eyes. But I couldn’t see through it and I also couldn’t open it to see a little bit. It was challenging to know what the photographer wanted - I just decided to keep moving on with different poses without knowing anything. I just felt the energy around me. Somehow the results came out fantastic with the most amazing Tokyo-view from the top roof hotel, HAH. That was memorable!

What extra preparation is needed to make a photoshoot successful?C: I do some research about the photographer and the client’s previous work to create the right vision & identity since we don’t have much time during the shooting.

Who is your favorite model? Which of his/her qualities do you like the most?C: Definitely Carola Insolera! She is like a chameleon as she knows how and when to change her “colors” like mood, look, pose and energy, all that are needed to play with the location, lights, camera, make-up, hair and outfit, to make everything extra special.

What kind of challenges did you face during your growing years? What kind of activities were you involved in during school years?C: In the early age I loved to pose for my family and friends, showing how flexible I was with my body. I used to show off my splits, bridge, handstands etc. I grew up thinking we (the Deaf) were the majority with our warm surroundings like Deaf schools, Deaf Clubs, Deaf family and friends. A large community. One day I realized that we actually were a minority, and I started to face another world with a totally different language, culture, norms and behaviors. I became very curious and joined the circus to live with them, learn from them and to develop myself. I also developed a way to communicate with everyone - and I now use my skills in the fashion industry.

What are your other hobbies?C: Bringing what is missing in the both worlds.

What is your favorite place to visit? What do you like about that place?C: My agency in Milan! It is such a motivational place.

Who is your inspiration?C: Again, I am my own inspiration. I love it when people doubt me. It makes me work harder to prove them wrong. I really cannot wait to bring more and more of fashion to the next level. No one has explored it before. Like as if music is in a hidden and dark can, waiting to be opened and explored.

What tips/advice do you have for those in our community who are interested in becoming a model?C: Social media is a good place to start in this generation.

Any special message for our community?C: The most effective way to do it, is to do it. When someone tells you it can't be done, it's more a reflection of their limitations, not yours.