German-born Berit Heitmann entered the fashion scene with a global exclusive campaign for Prada’s AW19 collection, shot by Willy Vanderperre. Since then, she’s graced the runways of Prada, Chloé and Chanel, while collaborating with some of the industry’s most celebrated photographers including David Sims, Jamie Hawkesworth and Tim Walker.
For our cover story shot in Madrid with photographer Javier Biosca, Berit channels the vibrant Boom Boom trend seen across the runways this season capturing fashion's most uplifting and joyful side.
Where are you from? Germany
What’s the best thing about your hometown/country? After coming home from chaotic, buzzing places I always appreciate how orderly everything in Germany seems to be (especially traffic). And the Christmas markets are amazing!
How were you discovered? When I was 15 an agency hosted an open Casting in a furniture store near my hometown. My mom went in to look for some throw pillows and I tried my luck in front of the camera. We couldn’t find cute pillows but went home with a modelling contract instead :)
What was your favourite thing about the shoot? It was super fun to go to Madrid and create this with the team, I stayed at The Ocean Drive Hotel which was very central so got to explore the city which I love to do in my free time.
What are your favourite things to do? Spending rainy days at museums, taking long walks preferably in nature, hosting dinners, diving into new characters in front of the camera and hunting vintage pieces
What are you listening to now? I love listening to podcast documentaries - right now The Witch Trials of JK Rowling are on my playlist.
What are you currently reading? Just Kids by Patti Smith - I just spent a couple of weeks in New York and reading about her immersing herself in the artistic underground scene of the city really set the mood
What’s your favourite TV show and film? My all-time favourite TV show is Dark & my favourite movie is changing all the time but I really enjoy Babylon and The Prestige
What’s your favourite fragrance and beauty product? Hermès Citron Noir has been my signature scent for years now! Another citrusy fragrance I adore is Roja Isola Blu
What were you doing before modelling? Before modelling I worked as a maths and Latin tutor
What would you be doing if you weren’t modelling? I would either work in the healthcare sector as a dermatologist/research or be a film actor
What are your favourite modelling experiences so far? Kicking off my career with a Prada campaign was surreal. The production rented out a whole building and created different worlds on each floor, a flower garden, a science lab etc. After shooting the key images we briefly celebrated Gigi Hadid’s birthday on set. The best thing is, that I made some lifelong friends on that job. But hiking up a glacier in a silk-dress and spiked shoes in Iceland was unbelievable too.
Are there any brands or designers you would really like to work with? John Galliano would be an absolute dream to work with! No explanation needed - he’s just extraordinary.
What place you would love to visit? Japan is very high on my list. Vintage Shopping in Tokyo, hiking in Hokkaido and relaxing on the beach or an onsen sounds perfect to me.
What are you currently obsessed with? Dua Lipa I highly recommend seeing her live and checking out service95.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given? The only person you should try to impress is the 8-year old version of yourself.
Having walked countless runways, Berit shares her must-have Fashion Week essentials.
www.rimowa.com
A big sturdy suitcase to carry from city to city & a lifetime warranty for damages - yes! I can’t wait to beat up this stunning alu piece.
www.apple.com
As a Model & especially during fashion week you switch between countries a lot so a nice adapter pack for your Laptop/Phone chargers is essential. They work much better than the flimsy all in one solutions.
I bought my point&shoot at a fleamarket in Hamburg and it’s perfect to capture all the fleeting moments at fashion week. With this job you meet so many amazing people and see beautiful places - you just want to keep the memory forever & analogue is the way to go. My favourite films are Portra400
www.boots.com
Running around the city & wearing all kinds of heels in all kinds of sizes will leave a mark. Sometimes another layer of protection and pain relief is all you need.
www.mepal.com
I love a little picnic at the hotel or on the go with proper cutlery. Travel and castings days are long so you never know when you’ll have your next sit down meal.
www.libertylondon.com
It’s always lovely to bring a familiar scent onto your travels to have some sort of consistence & bring a little more of you on set
www.waterstones.com
I always bring a good book. Commuting & waiting at castings can be spent well educating or entertaining yourself.
www.argos.co.uk
I get overstimulated easily so having a break from all the buzz feels great - I currently love Jungle, Tame Impala and Kaytranada or a Die Zeit Podcast Doc.
Nothing beats playing games with the other girls behind the shows or in the Airbnbs.
Model Berit Heitmann at Viva Models
Hair and make-up Ricardo Calero at Uno Artists
Nails Nubia Soacha
Casting Hutton Casting
Photographer’s assistant Enrique Escandell
Fashion assistants Gavi Weiss, Diego Serna, Victoria Izaguirre
Hair and make-up assistant Miriam Hernandez
Shoot producer Angela del Val at Lava Management
Bookings Gabriela Velasco
With special thanks to Casa de las Artes Melia Collection