Erika Linder, considered an androgynous model- has cultivated a very successful modeling career by creating her own modeling category. Neither really feminine, nor masculine- but her own identity. She rocks our world, she chatted to us about her career!
Photography by Graham Dunn
When did you start modeling?
I got scouted when I was around 14 years old back home in Stockholm, Sweden at this outside concert. Back then I was so unaware of that world and I had other plans than to be a model. I played soccer and went to school, so that world felt pretty distant and scary to me. It wasn’t until I was 21 I figured I wanted to try it, after the agency that scouted me had begged and was sort of stalking me for a period of time to do it, I decided to try it out and see what it was all about. Without any expectations I just dived in.
Where are you from/where do you reside now?
I was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden. That’s where my family still lives. Right now I’m based out of LA but travel the world. I’ve always went back and forth in between Europe and LA since I started. Even before modeling I’ve always loved and felt the LA vibe.
How do you feel about being considered an androgynous model?
It doesn’t necessarily do anything for me personally. I’m just myself. I feel like you have to be to get somewhere. Not pretend to be anything that you’re not. It’s easier for me. The term of being consider as an androgynous model is not something I really care about like that, not something I think about but I love doing both. It’s fun and interesting. I love getting into character. I’d be bored just doing one of the two. I’m just having loads of fun with it.
Do you think there’s more representation in fashion for individuals who do not necessarily identify with one gender?
I don’t know really. Maybe? The fashion world always changes. You can’t keep up and it’s not something I keep up with to be honest. I think it’s hard for androgynous models to really get known or get a good gig. This world in general is hard to get into and do well I reckon. It all depends on how far you wanna go. I just imagine that I wanna be the best that I can be.
What’s been a career highlight for you?
I feel like every job I’ve done has done it’s own thing for my career. The following I have has pretty much embraced everything I’ve done. To be honest I feel like one of the first photo shoots I’ve done as a young Leonardo DiCaprio for Candy magazine back in 2011 made a big difference. It was the shoot that made people realize that I could shoot as both genders. I have done so much in such little time, it’s crazy.
Commercial stuff mixed with edgy work and everything goes hand in hand so every little thing counts. That’s what’s so great about it. Everything just works well together by being completely different. I have some major stuff coming out still, campaigns, movies, music and designing so I’m looking forward to that.
What’s something you’d still like to achieve?
It’s hard for me to say something I want to achieve in the modeling biz. I just wanna work with awesome people and feel happy and be myself as I’m doing all of that. Like I said, I have stuff coming up that I’m working on.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
Oh, it’s ALWAYS different and mixed. A lot of music is coming out now during the fall and I love the Black Keys new album.
Favorite model:
I love Binx. She’s my homegirl and such a playboy.
What’s coming up next?
I just shot a really cool campaign that’s coming out this fall. A bunch of magazines and a movie that I’m going to start shooting at the end of this year. It’s this Native American story, which I’ve always been fascinated with. So that’s some of the work that’s coming out in the near future.
Photographed by Graham Dunn at I Heart Reps
Styled by Henna Koskinen at Opus Beauty
Hair & Makeup by Tami Shirey
Photographer’s Assistant, David Lekach
Model is Erika Linder at Next
Special thanks to Yonta at Next