Discovered on a Copenhagen street in 2005, Freja Beha Erichsen all but defines the words It-Girl Model. She's edgy, gorgeous, and a total pro who's been to this fashion show rodeo more than a few times. Her wavy, messy lob is envy-inducing, the same of which can be said for her personal style, but of course it's all effortless. I chatted with Erichsen backstage at H&M Studio's fall 2016 show about what she's learned over the past 10 years of modeling, just how she gets those choppy bangs, and whom, if she had the chance, she'd love to invite to a dinner party.
What are some styling tricks that you've learned in the time you've been modeling?
I think—and it's probably just me, personally—I think that less is more and just to keep it simple kind of works. Don't go overboard with too many accessories and too many different things.
I read that you have cut your own hair in the past. Do you still do that now?
I recently had it cut by somebody who can actually cut hair, but I do chop into it sometimes.
A lot of women may think, "Oh my God, I could never cut my own hair!" But are you just like, "Whatever, it's just hair"?
I don't think it's that hard. I think a lot of women absolutely could do it. You just have to cut at an angle with the scissors going up or down. Just don't cut straight across because that's probably going to turn out disastrous.
Have you ever had a disaster when you cut your own hair?
I've had times where I'm like, "Whoops, maybe I shouldn't have done that." But, you know, it does grow out fairly quickly, so it's not the end of the world. If you really mess up, you can always go to somebody who knows what they're doing and have them try to fix it.
True. You've been modeling for over 10 years. What's some advice you would give your younger self knowing what you know now?
I was actually talking to a friend about that yesterday, and I don't know that you can give any advice. I think you just kind of have to—I would say try not to take it too seriously, but that's a hard thing to do when you're in the midst of it and it's all you do.
Yeah. It's a little easier said than done, I guess.
Yeah, I think so. I think you just have to try to stick to who you are and let that carry you through.
As somebody who travels a lot for work, is there anything that you like to bring to keep you comfortable on the long plane rides?
I always bring music. Some Alabama Shakes a bit recently, a bit of Benjamin Clementine. I saw him in New York, and he was fantastic. Björk—the usual suspects. I like to listen to podcasts, too. I really like BBC In Our Time. I like to listen to [Melvyn Bragg] talk about whatever various subjects he talks about. And books, I'd say. Always bring books.
What are you reading these days?
I'm reading a couple of different things. I'm reading some Murakami, and I'm reading Virginia Woolf, A Writer's Diary. I'm reading Tom Robbins as well, sort of depending on the mood.
If you spilled something on your clothes and you had to run into H&M and get a new outfit in, say, 10 minutes, what would you buy?
I would probably get something quite casual. I mean, I'm wearing some black jeans and a white T-shirt so I'd probably get that. I guess I like more of the skinny jeans. I'm not very fond of all the stretch, so I try to avoid too much stretch fabric.
Last question: March is Women's History Month. If you could have dinner with a woman dead or alive from history, who would it be?
That's really hard.
It can be a couple then. A dinner party?
Okay. That'll make it easier. I would like to sit down with Emily Dickinson, Virginia Woolf, PJ Harvey, and Björk. That would be a good dinner in my mind. Strong women. I think I would enjoy that.
