Today, I like the person I see
Christine Krey looks like she owns the world as she struts across the catwalk. But it hasn’t always been that way.
By: Maj-Britt Dahl
The darkness in the beautifully packed hall splits as the music and spotlights blast into Bergen Fashion Show. The atmosphere is on the brink of bursting. Ready for the big-time show! And then, Christine Krey (21) takes the stage alongside all the other stunning models, strutting in the boldest and most daring creations. She has rehearsed and rehearsed what she is going to do, visualizing each step and each movement so the garments she presents are showcased in the best possible way.
“Misplaced”
Since Christine was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a model.
“But I didn’t feel pretty enough,” she says.
Her self-image wasn’t exactly boosted by being bullied for her prominent ears during elementary school, with the bullying continuing even after she had surgery.
“I was really insecure about myself, I felt sort of misplaced in the world.”
The thought of a modeling career seemed far-fetched. At the same time, she received comments from others saying that someone as tall as her should try modeling. After a somewhat rocky start with a rejection from the first agency she contacted, she signed a contract with Rebel Models in 2019. Her assignments vary from shopping center catalogs, posters, and clothing showcases to trade fairs and hairdresser competitions. She loves the hectic atmosphere before a show, rehearsing the choreography on the catwalk, and the supportive attitude among the models in Bergen. There are no sharp elbows here; everyone encourages each other to make the result great.
Part of the entire process
The show during Unity Spark’s Bergen Fashion Week at the Bergen International Cultural Center in mid-December, however, was a different experience for Christine.
“Normally, designers check the most essential things like ensuring the garments fit each model, and that the presentation on the catwalk is as they wish. But Francine at Unity Spark was really present for us, almost taking on a ‘mother’ role and making sure everyone felt good both before and after the show. We were also involved in planning the actual catwalk. We filmed the fitting of clothes and our meetings with designers backstage, and posted them on TikTok and Instagram. If we had ideas, we were heard – we were actually involved in the whole process. It made it more personal, and we felt ownership of the event. It was so much fun and really nice to feel so appreciated,” says Christine.
The fashion show was also different because artists with diverse backgrounds got the chance to perform their own songs between the designers’ collection showcases.
“It was really smart to do something you don’t see elsewhere. And it’s cool that Francine dares to take such risks and has a vision to highlight people with mixed backgrounds. There are so many hidden talents in this city,” says Christine.
“Do I have to be that thin?”
The 21-year-old was born and raised in Bergen, took the academic track in high school, and now works at a large BikBok store where she is responsible for campaigns and store design. Today, there`s little left of the child who felt misplaced. Her back is straight, her gaze firm. She wants to work with people and finds it very enjoyable to help people of all shapes find clothes that make them look good.
When she thinks about a few years from now, her dream is to make a living as a model. But she acknowledges that many people share the same dream and that it’s hard to stand out. That’s why she’s looking to secure her future by considering a degree in interior design this fall — another one of her passions. “I’ve read interior magazines since I was a little girl,” she laughs.
Christine is tall and slim, but not skin-thin like the models we see in size 34 on catwalks in Paris, Milan, London, and New York. When she used to look at pictures from the big shows in fashion capitals, she thought, “Do I have to be that thin?” But the Bergen-based agency she’s signed with welcomes models of all shapes and sizes. In fact, she has landed numerous jobs without being super thin.
What has modeling done for you?
“When I look at pictures of myself today, I think, ‘Oh, she’s a pretty girl.’ I like the person I see. And it gives me a good feeling to be the one chosen for something. I don’t know if I’ve gained more self-confidence, but I have developed a strong sense of self through being a model.”
