Half Russian, half Cook Island Polynesian, it’s not difficult to see where Sydney model and dancer, Lydia Simonis gets her exotic looks from. The rising beauty was TheCarousel.com’s very first model on our All-Australian glamour shoot on dazzling Sydney harbour. We sat down with Lydia to find out more about her passions, interests and growing up in Sydney…
Images by Glenn Nutley
Tell us the basics…how old are you? Where are you from? Where do you live now?
I am 23 years old, I was born and bred here in Sydney Australia and I’m currently living in Maroubra Beach.
How did you get started in modelling?
I’ve always done little jobs here and there before I was signed but I got scouted by a mother agency in Paris Starsystem and they had the idea of placing me with IMG Australia. During that process I was scouted by now a close friend Dan Tafenui and also my hair colourist at a dancing gig at the beach. He got me in contact with a close friend of his and also IMGs director Danielle. I went in and they signed me that day.
Image from Instagram
Tell us about your style?
My style is very simple , not complicated, clean, comfortable and neutral or all black. Im always inspired by Elle Macpherson as she is my style icon and by the environment around me. I love the beach and nature which explains why I love simplicity and also because I love being in the islands, that place is like a second home and we don’t wear much clothes over there because its so hot!
What’s your beauty routine and products you couldn’t live without?
I try keep everything in its most natural state. I believe keeping healthy and drinking plenty of green juice and water helps give you a perfect skin base. My routine is 2 Cactus skincare clay masks per week and I exfoliate everyday with a Lush Cosmetics salt scrub. People say you should only exfoliate once a week but everyone is different and I get a lot of make up put on my face for shoots. I could never live without my Tahitian Monoï oil. I have used it since I was a child, its a multi purpose product that I think everyone should have. Also, I could never live without my toothbrush… I would dieeee if i couldn’t brush my teeth haha.
Image from Instagram
How do you keep fit and healthy?
Ive always been a healthy child that would try anything and eat everything. Its only recently that I’ve become a clean and healthy eater, exploring the wonders of nutrition of healthy food and super foods and I would only be a healthy eater. What keeps me healthy is the feeling after a healthy meal and also my goals, thats what motivates me to stay on track. I like to be active, I do a lot of dancing as that is my passion, I like to run and walk everywhere with my family. It allows us to explore and breathe in the fresh air. Happiness is an important factor when it comes to health. In order to be a healthy person, you need a healthy mind and healthy surroundings.
Favourite childhood memory?
Living on my fathers island “Atiu” for a few months. Its an outer island in the Cook Islands and I got to experience going to school, living a naturally sustainable lifestyle with my family and also learning how dance. Atiu moulded my entire life because when I came back to Australia its something my heart held onto.
Image from Instagram
Three women you admire and why?
Angelina Jolie, Gisele Bünchen and Beyoncé because they are all beautiful women that are not only at the top of their game in their careers but they are all family people, happy people, and they give back to the world and help mankind with the power that they have. They are 3 celebrities I admire but I honestly admire anyone that is happy in themselves. That enjoya their lives regardless of what people think, I admire anyone with talent of any kind and a heart filled with love. My no.1 favourite woman is my mum, because she’s my rock, my motivation, my happiness and I wouldn’t know how to live without her!
Your favourite ever shoot?
They have all been my favourite so far as I love modelling but since its hard to narrow it down. I would say Dolly Magazine because I grew up my whole life reading that magazine, and to know that I have a spread in it freaked me out. It was like a dream. Also the shoot for Girlies French Magazine spread because not only was it an overseas spread but I loved the crew and the way Rita (photographer Rita Zimmermann) photographs me, she can really see something else and give it her European touch.
