Model Zuzanna Krzatala on Her Favorite Thrift Store, Her "Survival Breakfast Recipe" and Her Slouch

Having recently returned from a jaunt in Bali, prepossessing Polish mannequin Zuzanna Krzatala graciously answered our burning questions. What makes her so lovably endearing? Well for starters the whimsical Zu used to pretend that her garden was in fact Christopher Robin's Hundred Acre Woods. That's more than ample evidence to merit induction our liste préférée!

Julia Frakes: How were you "discovered"?
Zuzanna Krzatala: When I was 13, I escaped with my girlfriends from a chemistry exam in school to a shopping center, where we happened to find an agency scouting for a modeling contest. 'Why not give a try?' I thought at the time. None of my other friends were chosen; and ever since I've skipped more and more school exams!

JF: What do you consider to be your "big break"?
ZK: Doing the Christopher Kane show in London. I entered the fashion industry dressed in a snakeskin printed dress with chiffon ruffles, and that's how I got enrolled on the Supreme board.

JF: Do you believe in luck?
ZK: I believe in hard work and self-belief... that's got to lead you somewhere! Luck is tricky: what easily comes, easily goes away.

JF: What do you miss most about home?
ZK: Homemade food... my mum is the best cook ever!

JF: While traveling abroad, what do you like to do in new cities?
ZK: I love just wandering, trying the root out the place on my own, getting lost without any guide. That makes me discover the real vibe of the city! This trait probably comes from my last name, Krzatala, which in Polish (my native language) literally means 'to wander about.'

JF: How would you describe your personal style?
ZK: I take inspiration from the catwalks -- more in order to keep it fun and playful, rather than being really serious about new trends. We have one of the best thrift stores in my hometown of Szczecin, Poland (approx. two hours from Berlin); I go shopping with my mum and sometimes we fish out gems like original Dior shoes from the '80s, Jean Paul Gaultier leggings and Kenzo oversized jackets. Nobody else appreciates these off-beat masterpieces here [in Poland], so everything is left for me!

JF: As a major fashion insider, who are some of your designers?
ZK: I love Stella McCartney's wholesome sensuality, Sonia Rykiel's red hair and the Scissor Sisters Rodarte [a.k.a. Kate & Laura Mulleavy]!

JF: What are your last thoughts prior to stepping out onto the runway?
ZK: 'Keep yourself straight!' I have bad slouching habits from school (on account of being the biggest one in class).

JF: Do you personally prefer runway or editorial work?
ZK: It's hard to say; both can be fun. Modeling has a lot in common with acting: I pop on the outfit and I'm no longer myself. Runway is definitely more exciting, though.

JF: What do you least admire about the fashion industry?
ZK: The lack of imagination. There are a few "iron characters" who rule over the fashion industry -- they decide who is on top and also set up the future faces. If they don't fall in love with you straight away, the others [in the industry] will pass you by unnoticed. If it so happens that one day they decide to book you, all of sudden everybody loves you. In a flash it's like: 'Who's that girl? She's stunning! She just did (such-and-such)...' You are not what you are, you are what shows you walked in.

JF: How do you keep yourself entertained backstage?
ZK: By the time I arrive at the shows there aren’t usually any snacks left -- no, it's not that I'm not so 'in demand,’ rather just because I'm always late everywhere -- so I enjoy catching up with the girls. Contrary to all the stereotypes, we are not that narrow-minded.

JF: How do you maintain your radiant complexion? Do you have a specific beauty ritual?
ZK: Beauty sleep. No cost, but it sometimes requires giving up nighttime entertainment!

JF: How would you rate your cooking ability?
ZK: Low, very low... all I can muster are eggs: scrambled, hard and soft boiled, and fried. I received this ‘survival breakfast recipe’ once from my older sister when I went to Japan at age 15. Then I discovered sushi, which immediately halted the development of my cooking skills! Unfortunately I'm a lazybone, but I do believe that I have a hidden talent from my mum!

JF: What are your absolute favorite fashion magazines?
ZK: Every Numéro magazine is literally a must-have issue for me!

JF: What is your favorite fairy tale, and why?
ZK: Winnie The Pooh -- the very first book that I read by myself. When I was little, I used to pretend that my garden was The Hundred Acre Wood and play with my imaginary friends Piglet, Tigger and Rabbit!

JF: What are three of your favorite songs?
ZK: These songs are attached to some breakthrough moments in my life:

"Strawberry Fields Forever" - The Beatles
"Rocky Took a Lover" - Bell X1
"Talk Show Host" - Radiohead
... and lately I have been obsessed with "Jeunesse leve-toi" by Saez (grâce à mon petit ami, a french music journalist)!

JF: Which words/phrases do you most frequently use?
ZK: "Sorry!" I am constantly apologizing whenever I step on somebody's foot or put an elbow in someone's eye -- which happens quite often. I'm a clumsy girl...