Heidi Gabriel
"Unscripted Paris"
Model, dancer, poet — turning life into art ~ a litte reminder that true beauty is not staged but lived.
Not just a model — a poet, a dancer, a dreamer who turns every chapter of life into art. From the faraway corners of the world to cobblestone streets of her Paris Home , her story is one of freedom and depth, of vulnerability turned into strength, and of beauty that radiates from authenticity rather than perfection, a presence shaped by resilience, compassion, A model, dancer, and poet, Her work is not just about style — it’s about depth, humanity, and love without conditions
She has lived a thousand lives in one. From working as a psychotherapist with women and children who survived violence, to traveling the world with only a backpack, to leading international flights as a chief stewardess to dancing in Studios and on Rooftops in Paris. A passport stamped with a hundred countries, yet rooted in something deeply human. World traveler, poet, dancer, animal advocate, and now — a model whose work is less about posing and more about breathing life into images, and joy, or love, or resilience, or unapologetic authenticity. Not chasing perfection, but embodying truth.
My journey has been a tapestry of many lives lived. My path into modeling wasn’t a straight line — it began more as an exploration, a way to express the freedom, strength, and vulnerability that life had carved into me. I started through creative collaborations, working with photographers who valued storytelling over perfection, and soon I realized that modeling was another language for everything I’ve lived, like my poetry, or in this regard more like dance — a way to speak without words.
I never really planned to become a model. I was always busy traveling the world, working as a therapist, a social worker, and later as a flight attendant. Life was full of intensity. Then one day, a friend — a photographer — asked me if I wanted to collaborate. We shot from 4 in the afternoon until 4 in the morning, with Serge Gainsbourg and The Doors playing, setting the backdrop, a bottle of Cognac passing between us, and pure creative energy flowing. I thought it would just be for fun, but from there things started rolling almost overnight. Suddenly, I found myself in front of a world I had never imagined for myself — and now, I’m about to be featured in an international magazine. I’m still in awe of it all.
That’s the miracle part. Every time I stop trying, something beautiful begins.
What inspired you to become a model?
For me, it was never about being a model in the traditional sense. It was about expression, presence, storytelling. My life experiences — from traveling across continents to working with women and children who survived violence — shaped me. Those emotions, that depth, that sensitivity, the strength and courage and love for life and people.
Modeling is just the medium; what inspires me is the chance to share authenticity, to show that beauty is not about perfection, but about presence, about connection, about beauty that lives in authenticity, a glance between strangers, an unscripted laughter, in life’s intensity — travels, art, joy, and heartbreak — and to transform those into images that feel alive.
A streetlight in the rain, a moment you can’t stage. I love the way modeling allows me, like photography and poetry, to embody these moments — to bring them into the physical world through presence, movement, and emotion.
Modeling can ,of course, also be the fun of playing a role, of embodying someone / something like an actress captivating the audience on a theatre stage but it can also be about showing the truth of a moment — and that’s when it becomes art.
Her modeling career began almost by surprise — an impromptu collaboration that turned into something magnetic and undeniable. that cannot be staged: soulful, free, and deeply human. Paris may be her backdrop, but her story was shaped by the world.
Style begins with Soul 🦋
Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started your modeling career?
I have never lived life in half-measures. Before stepping in front of the camera, I spent years traveling the world as a dancer, photographer, poet, as a flight attendant, a social worker and psychotherapist working with women and children who had survived violence.
While carrying my camera, my journal, and my curiosity everywhere. I’ve danced in studios, wandered across the globe and through the Parisian streets, written poetry, and captured stories through photography.
I’ve lived in moments of light and moments of deep shadow, and each experience has shaped the way I carry myself.
Modeling entered my life almost unexpectedly —even though I did a lot of runway modeling for a bridal vintage boutique when I was younger —- through collaborations that felt more like art projects than work, fueled by the joy of creating. I realized that standing in front of a camera was another form of storytelling, and that I could bring all of myself — my emotions, my history, my passions — into each frame. Joy, compassion, freedom, resilience and love for life. That’s still how I approach it today. A way to connect with people through presence and emotion.
What has been the most exciting or memorable shoot you’ve worked on?
That very first shoot will always stay with me. It felt like magic — raw, unscripted, alive. But every collaboration since then has been memorable, because I bring all of myself into it — the laughter, the scars, the love, the freedom. The joy of life.
Some of my favorite moments have been the least staged ones — wandering the streets of Paris in soft evening light, having coffee in a small café while the photographer quietly clicked the shutter, dancing barefoot in a studio when the music took over. Those moments felt alive, unposed, unscripted — they captured me, not just an image.
And reminded me that the most magical images often happen when you stop trying to control them and let life create the moment. Something I have experienced countless times traveling the earth with my camera in hand.
How would you describe your modeling style?
My style is instinctive and alive — it’s a blend of emotion, and playfulness. I like to think of it as storytelling with movement and expression, but always rooted in something real. I am less interested in “posing” and more in letting the moment shape me, in becoming part of the scene and the story.
I think of it as unscripted. I live in the moment, and I let the story of the clothes, the mood, the energy of the space inspire me.
Do you prefer editorial, commercial, or runway modeling, and why?
I love the energy of a runway modeling. It’s where I started and what still sticks with my heart. But also those creative shoots, allowing space for artistry and emotion, creating a mood, a world, a feeling.
For me, it’s not about the category, but about the people, the story, and the message. Especially when the project aligns with my values.
What role do you think storytelling plays in modeling?
Storytelling is everything. A photograph without a story can be beautiful, but a photograph with a story can move someone’s heart. It’s what turns a beautiful picture into something memorable.I believe modeling is not just about showing clothes or beauty, but about transmitting a feeling — joy, longing, freedom, love, mystery. Every look, every gesture, every frame is a chance to say something without words. And when a story is authentic, it leaves a lasting imprint, it can invite the viewer into a world, a mood, a memory or even a possibility.
Storytelling is thus the soul of photography. When a photographer captures vulnerability, joy, longing, rebellion, freedom his images come alive. A photograph can capture a face, but a story breathes life into it. A photograph can hold an emotion the same way a poem or a song does. My own journey — from working with women and children who have faced violence, to dancing barefoot in faraway places, to watching the sun rise from the skies as a flight attendant — has given me more than poses; it’s given me emotions, layers, and truths to share. Storytelling is what turns a picture into a moment you remember, because it’s not about perfection, it’s about presence.
I can be the white canvas for a project or on the runway, no doubt about it.
Yet a photograph with a story becomes an experience, a memory, even a mirror for someone else’s emotions. I believe every pose, every look, every gesture carries a fragment of a story — of love, of freedom, of longing, of joy or whatever else the artist wants to convey.
I would truly love to continue modeling. In a way that feels authentic. Whether that’s fashion editorials, runway projects, campaigns or art projects that empower women to embrace their unique style and beauty.
I want to continue modeling in a way that is true to myself — blending editorials, artistic collaborations, and campaigns for cruelty-free, socially responsible brands. I’d love to be part of projects that empower women to embrace their unique beauty and presence, without trying to fit into a mold. My dream is to merge fashion with meaning, Style with soul.
My vision is to work with brands and creatives whose values align with my own — cruelty-free, committed to animal welfare, celebrating diversity, and honoring authenticity over perfection. I would love to bring my energy and presence to editorials, runway, and artistic collaborations that tell real human stories. My dream is to use modeling not only to create beauty, but also to spark feeling — to remind people that true elegance lives in kindness, compassion, and self-acceptance.
Dance and yoga are the two practices that taught me how to listen to my body and how to flow with emotion. Dance gives me expression — the freedom to embody rhythm, passion, play, or longing. Yoga, on the other hand, grounds me — its presence, stillness, and connection to breath. Together, they shape how I move, how I hold myself, and how I let emotions pass through me. When I model, it’s never just a pose — it’s movement, breath, and a story unfolding in stillness.
Be unapologetically yourself. Your individuality is your greatest strength, and the right opportunities will come when you stop trying to fit someone else’s mold. Take care of your body, your mind, and your heart — because your presence in front of the camera will always reflect how you feel inside. Learn to love your unique features, your story, and your essence. And remember: the most magnetic beauty is the kind that comes from authenticity, kindness, and a life truly lived.
I admire those who go beyond surface beauty - people who stand for something bigger. Models who embrace diversity and individuality, their uniqueness; photographers who capture truth over perfection, and designers who commit to cruelty free fashion and ethical practices.
I’m inspired by anyone who uses their platform for animals, for justice, for diversity and equality. Inner beauty, vulnerability and authenticity inspire me more than any photoshopped image ever could. By those who use their art to move the world forward. The ones who remind us that beauty has no single face or body, and that humanity shines brightest when it is unapologetically itself.
Fashion has immense power, and I’m drawn to those who use it to create both beauty and positive change.
And who stand for causes beyond the camera. I am deeply moved by photographers and designers who approach their work with authenticity, creating beauty that is about soul. Who capture raw humanity, they remind me that beauty is not perfection, but authenticity. Inspiration, for me, comes from both the bold elegance of timeless icons and the quiet courage of those who stand for justice, compassion, and kindness.
I entered modeling unconventionally, without the “traditional” career path, and that can sometimes be seen as a challenge. But instead of trying to fit into a mold, I made a conscious choice to embrace my own story. I’ve learned that charisma, presence, and emotional truth are just as valuable as my experience in runway modeling. I overcame doubts by working with creatives who value individuality — and the pure joy of creating.
For me, preparation starts from within. I begin by grounding myself — a little yoga, a few deep breaths, sometimes even dancing in my apartment to let the energy flow. I focus on feeling confident in my own skin rather than trying to “be” something else. Then I immerse myself in the mood of the project — music, references, the energy of the location. That way, when I step in front of the camera, I’m fully present, ready to move, to feel, and to tell the story through my body and expressions.
By staying connected to life itself. I dance, I write poetry, I photograph, I travel, I listen deeply, I love intensely. All of these experiences feed me, and when I step in front of the camera, they pour through me. That’s where my motivation comes from — from living fully and bringing that fullness into the work.
I stay thus inspired by staying connected to life outside of modeling — by traveling, dancing, writing poetry, photographing the world, and engaging in causes I care deeply about. I’ve worked with women and children who’ve experienced violence, I’ve fought for animal protection since I was thirteen, and I’ve lived through challenges that shaped me in profound ways. All of this feeds my work, because modeling for me is not just a profession — it’s a way to express the depth of my experiences and the emotions I carry. I grow by living fully, by staying curious, and by always keeping my heart open.
Yes — anyone who creates with soul. Whether in high fashion or independent artistry, I would love to collaborate with designers and other creatives who embrace individuality and see the model not just as a canvas, but as a co-creator.
With brands and creatives who share values close to my heart: cruelty-free, sustainable, diverse, authentic. My dream is to use modeling not only to create beauty but to inspire — to remind people of their own unique worth and to show that true elegance comes from kindness, compassion, and self-acceptance. Bridging art, fashion, and soul, to show that modeling can be both beautiful and meaningful. And I’d love to support women in embracing their own unique beauty.
I’m drawn to brands that create with heart — whether that’s in luxury fashion, sustainable design, or artistry that has a soul. Collaborating with designers who embrace individuality, work ethically would be a dream.
Where beauty blends with purpose and Fashion meets compassion.
And in the future maybe even art performances that blend fashion, dance, and poetry.
Bring your full self — your quirks, your scars, your history, your passions. People connect with authenticity, not perfection. Learn to be comfortable in your own skin, because that’s what will make you unforgettable. And find collaborators who see you, not just your image.
Don’t chase perfection; embrace your story, your scars, your essence. That’s what makes you magnetic!
The world doesn’t need another copy of someone else’s idea of perfection. Stay curious, stay open, and never forget that the truest beauty radiates from presence, not perfection.
Learn to be comfortable in your own skin, because that’s what will make you truly remarkable. So many models arrive with just beauty — you arrive with a whole universe inside you: your depth, your journey, your compassion. That’s what makes people feel something in your presence — because you are not just a face, you are a story, and stories move people more deeply than perfection ever could.
And don’t let your doubts stop you from pursuing your dreams. When we choose courage over doubt, softness over control and vision over fear ~ life responds with miracles!
We carry our life, ourselves with us everywhere we go ~ so we better let it shine! ☀️
For me, art is freedom. Fashion is a canvas. And modeling is one way of turning life into art, offering every emotion, every heartbeat, every step as a reminder: true beauty is not perfection, it is presence.
Through my life I seek to merge beauty with meaning, fashion with feeling, and presence with purpose. My journey has carried me across the world — as a therapist, a traveler, a flight attendant, an advocate for animals, and a woman who has lived, suffered, and loved deeply.
I believe modeling is not only about showcasing clothes, though of course, it can be exactly this, if needed, but about telling stories of freedom, vulnerability, strength, and love. I wish to inspire women to embrace their unique beauty, to honor their scars and their light. I’d love to collaborate with brands and artists who believe in compassion — cruelty-free fashion, diversity, equality, and authenticity.
To me, beauty has never been about flawless surfaces or carefully crafted illusions. Beauty is courage — the courage to be seen, raw and real, with all the depth of one’s story shining through. It is the spark in a dancer’s movement, the quiet strength behind a smile, the softness of a heart that has known both pain and love. True elegance is not about perfection, but about the freedom to be unapologetically oneself, and to carry that truth with grace.
My life is the heart of my work. Modeling might be a rather new chapter but it really is a continuation of a life fully lived.
My journey has been anything but ordinary. A dancer, writer, poet and passionate advocate for women, children, animals and authenticity, a soulful, unscripted presence, to continue to prove that true beauty isn’t about perfection — it’s about depth, compassion and living life as art.
Beauty is not a look, it’s a life deeply lived. The whole of life.