Andreja Pejic

The first time I came to New York - and the first time I saw the movie 'Paris Is Burning' - I learned about the homeless LGBT culture in New York City that goes back to the '80s. I found that very interesting, and it's definitely something that I care about. ”

I came out to my mom at the age of 14. She didn't understand it at first, but she's been very supportive since. ”

The Internet gave me the sense that there were words to describe my feelings and medical terms. ”

I figured out who I was very early on - actually, at the age of 13, with the help of the Internet - so I knew that a transition, becoming a woman, was always something I needed to do. ”

If I wasn't modeling, I'd be studying economics or international politics. ”

I want to see creativity that breaks boundaries and isn't just about money. ”

Ever since Donald Trump's victory in the U.S. election, I've been trying to expand my scope to understand the thought processes of people who don't see the world, or humanity, as I do. ”

Instead of trying to be the queen of cool, it feels like more of an achievement to work with mainstream brands and reach as many people as possible. It's more unexpected for someone like me. ”

The best songs/films/collections expose truths about life and make them universally accessible; they progress humanity. ”

The way I need to look, it's a very personal thing. When I started experimenting, it was to make myself feel happy, to look in the mirror and be satisfied. I never did drag or anything like that. It was always that I wanted to be pretty, to look beautiful, as a girl would want to. ”