Meet the Model: Mateja Buila
Get to know the Croatian-born model signed to Six Wolves.
Croatian-born Australian model Mateja Buila made her debut in our festival shoot. With the air of a graceful tomboy, a face to end all faces and ripped abs, it's no great surprise Mateja was immediately signed to street casting agency Six Wolves after sending through some photos about two months ago. "She has such a unique look and amazing personal style, plus she has a tattoo of her dog Spyro on her leg which we love," agency director Felicity Byrne tells Oyster. "Mateja comes off quite shy and quirky at first but when you spend time with her you realise how funny and warm she is. She is a pleasure to be around."
So far the 22-year-old boss babe has been busy testing and getting her portfolio together, but we expect to see a lot more of her soon. When we ask Felicity where she sees Mateja in the next few years, she responds with "ruling" and we can't help but agree.
Ingrid Kesa: Hey Mateja! Where did you grow up?
Mateja Buila: I was born in Croatia but when I was one the devastation of war forced my family to move to Germany, then when I was five we moved to Sydney. As you can imagine I haven't had the most average childhood!
Where do you live now?
I live with my family near Fairfield [Sydney] aka the ghetto. It's got a high rate of drive-by's so it's an interesting atmosphere to be submerged in.
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Initially I wanted to be a dentist because when I was five-years-old my cousin led me to believe they made $1000 every minute. I dropped that ambition as soon as I discovered I had been tricked. Aside from the cash-money I don't find the idea of fiddling in people's dirty mouths very appealing.
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
Having the opportunity to wear beautiful clothes and outrageous outfits that I wouldn't be able to wear on a regular day-to-day basis.
What's the funnest shoot you've worked on so far?
That would have to be the festival shoot I did for your lovely magazine with the stunning Amelia and Teresa, and the talented Ryan Kenny. What could be more enjoyable than getting to hang out with really fly people and recreating scenarios from a hypothetically loose festival? Not to mention that we got to eat a variety of delicious food for the photos too!
What's your favourite sort of modelling work to do?
Well, I'm not quite tall enough to do runway which is a relief as I find the thought very daunting. As you would know, many things can go wrong. Editorials are definitely my preference, especially if the aesthetic of the shoot is something fun.
Do you have a career goal?
I don't have a career goal so much as I have life goals. I would like to see where my modelling takes me but I strive to create more art that I can exhibit so that I can feel as though my Bachelor of Fine Art wasn't a complete waste of my time and my parents' money [laughs]! I want to fall in love, hold onto my youth and explore the circumference of the earth with my friends, Instagramming every moment along the way.
What do you do besides modelling?
Aside from modelling I draw pictures of naked people with animal heads, attend a variety of classes at my gym, play with my beagle Spyro, skate very badly, shop online and sell badass sneakers at Hype DC.
I know you love Emma Mulholland. What other designers do you like?
Emma Mulholland just about summarises the purpose of my existence! A bunch of other designers I admire are Opening Ceremony, Acne, Stolen Girlfriends Club, old school Romance was Born, Lover, Strummer, House of Holland, Tatty Devine and all the underground fashion stocked at my favourite store, Estate of Mind.
Do you have a favourite band?
I'm a sucker for pop punk and my all time favourite band is A Day to Remember.
And what about a favourite blog?
I actually don't look at blogs at all. I'm not internet savvy but I'm all about Instagram! My instagram is fuckingnowheretown so look that shit up!
Ingrid Kesa
