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Beyond the runway, a woman of grace, ambition and determination

Hello evertyone! My name is Nastasia Schlepel I’m 20 years old, and I’m representing Germany. I’m currently studying management and working while also pursuing my passion for modeling. Before entering the fashion world, I spent many years practicing rhythmic gymnastics, which taught me discipline, determination, and the importance of giving my best. I’m someone who loves discovering new experiences, meeting inspiring people, and challenging myself. I’m excited to be part of Miss Europe Continental and to see where this experience will take me.

– You already have some experience in the fashion world and have walked in fashion shows. What was it about your first runway experience that made you want to continue?

My first runway experience was actually quite unexpected. I was scouted online, went to a casting, and was selected for a fashion show. I was even given the opportunity to open the show, which was a very special and surprising moment for me. But what truly made me want to continue was the feeling I had when I stepped onto the runway. It felt as though a little bit of magic had entered my everyday life. I got to discover a world full of creativity, possibility, and inspiring people who were doing extraordinary things with their lives. I began to see myself as part of that world, and I wanted to explore where it could take me.

– What do you enjoy most about walking on a runway: the energy, the fashion, the audience, or the feeling of becoming someone different for a moment?

I wouldn’t say that I become someone different on the runway. In a way, I feel that I show a very authentic part of myself. I love the challenge of stepping in front of an audience and having all those eyes on me. It pushes me to be present, to gather my energy, and to give my best. I also love the connection between fashion and art. Wearing a designer’s creation and bringing their vision to life is something truly special to me. And of course, the music, the atmosphere, and the people around me all contribute to that feeling. Coming from rhythmic gymnastics, I also enjoy the aspect of performing and entertaining an audience. For me, the runway brings together art, performance, and a part of myself that I really love expressing.

– What do you think makes a woman truly captivating on a runway?

For me, a captivating woman is someone who has presence. It’s not only about her appearance, but about the way she carries herself and the energy she brings into a room. I believe individuality is very important. A woman becomes captivating when she is comfortable with who she is and doesn’t feel the need to imitate someone else. On the runway, that confidence can be seen in the way she moves, looks, and connects with the audience. It’s that combination of elegance, individuality, and presence that makes someone memorable.

– Fashion is often associated with beauty and appearance, but how important do you think personality and confidence are in this industry?

I believe confidence and personality are essential in the fashion industry, but perhaps not always for the reasons people expect. Fashion can be a very subjective industry, and appearance, measurements, and the specific vision of a casting often play a major role. That is why I believe a model needs to enter this industry with a strong sense of self. Rejection is not always personal. Sometimes a client is simply looking for a different look, and that is okay. Confidence helps you understand that your value is not defined by one casting or one person’s opinion. Of course, personality matters, and confidence can be seen in the way you carry yourself. But I believe those qualities are something you should bring into the industry, not something you should depend on the industry to give you.

– Do you see modeling as something you simply enjoy, or is it something you would seriously like to build a future around?

I genuinely enjoy modeling, and I can definitely see myself building a future around it. I believe that we have the ability to shape our own future, and if I want something, I’m willing to give it my absolute best. At the same time, I believe there is a difference between pursuing something with passion and pushing yourself beyond what is healthy or meaningful. I want to work hard, but I also want to stay grounded and recognize whether the path I’m pursuing is giving me something valuable in return. I’m also studying management, and I’m interested in the wider world of fashion and luxury. So I can imagine building a future in this industry in different ways. If modeling becomes the path that allows me to build a future in fashion and luxury, I would be very happy to continue and give it my best.

– You seem to approach fashion with a lot of consistency and determination. Where does that motivation come from?

My determination comes from rhythmic gymnastics. I learned very early that motivation is not always what keeps you going. Sometimes you simply have to rely on discipline. When I was younger, I trained around twenty hours a week while also going to school. My days were very structured: school, training, and then doing it all again the next day. Looking back, I’m proud of the discipline I developed at such a young age. It reminds me that I’m capable of doing difficult things, even when they take time and effort. I still apply that mindset to my life today. Whether it’s my studies, modeling, or something new I want to achieve, I know that consistency is what helps me move forward.

– You practice rhythmic gymnastics. Do you think gymnastics has influenced the way you approach fashion and modeling?

Definitely. Rhythmic gymnastics has influenced not only the way I approach modeling, but also the way I approach life. It taught me that when I decide to commit to something, I should give it my full effort. I don’t like doing things halfway. I want to learn, improve, and see what I can achieve through the energy I invest. That mindset is something I bring into my studies, my work, and modeling. I understand that results don’t happen overnight, and I’m willing to put in the effort to grow. Gymnastics gave me a strong foundation, and I’m grateful that I can carry those lessons into new experiences.

– Gymnastics requires discipline, precision and constant training. Which of these qualities do you think helps you the most in your everyday life?

I would say discipline, but also the ability to look back at my younger self and recognize how much she was capable of. I started training when I was 12 years old and there were many challenging moments. During the pandemic, for example, I continued training at home for hours, even though I didn’t know when things would return to normal or whether I would be able to continue the sport in the same way. When I look back at that little girl, I feel proud of her. She reminds me that sometimes you have to keep going, even when you cannot see where your efforts will lead. That memory gives me strength today. Whenever I face a difficult situation, I remind myself that I have already learned how to work through uncertainty. And if I could do that as a child, I know I can keep facing new challenges as an adult.

– What is something you are currently working on, not necessarily in fashion, but as a person?

At this stage of my life, I’m learning to take more responsibility for the direction I want my life to take. I’m making decisions about my education, my career, and the opportunities I want to pursue. I think there is something very empowering about realizing that you have the ability to shape your own future, and I’m learning to approach that responsibility with discipline and intention.

– What does success mean to you at this stage of your life?

 At this stage of my life, success means moving forward and building a future that feels right for me. I think especially at this age, there can be so many voices around you telling you what you should do, what you should pursue, or what direction you should take. And sometimes, that can become confusing. For me, success means learning to listen to my own intuition and having the clarity to follow the path I believe is right for me. It also means continuing to grow, challenging myself, and becoming a better version of myself. Ultimately, I want to keep pursuing my goals with passion and discipline, while trusting my own judgment and allowing myself to discover what I am truly capable of.

– Is there a difference between the person you are in everyday life and the woman you become when you step onto a runway?

I would say there is a difference, but I don’t feel that I become a completely different person. On the runway, I become part of a performance. I connect my movements and my presence with the designer’s creation, the music, and the atmosphere. At the same time, I’m also expressing an authentic part of myself. Modeling has become something I genuinely enjoy, and I feel very comfortable doing it. So for me, the runway is not about pretending to be someone else. It’s about expressing a different side of who I am, through fashion and art.

– What would you like people to remember about you after meeting you, beyond your appearance?

I would love for people to remember my personality, my perspective on life, and the fact that there is much more to me than what they see at first. I enjoy having conversations where people discover that I have my own ideas and that I’m curious about many different things. I love discussing life and learning from other people. I also like keeping a little mystery about myself. I don’t think people need to know everything about you to appreciate you. I hope people remember me as someone who is strong, thoughtful, and interesting to have a conversation with.

– What does representing Germany on an international stage mean to you personally?

 For me, representing Germany at an international event is a new and exciting opportunity. I haven’t experienced representing a country in this way before, so I’m looking forward to discovering what it means. I also see it as an opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds and to share a part of my own story. I know that every woman brings her own experiences and perspective to the stage, and I’m excited to be part of that. Personally, it means stepping into something new, challenging myself, and representing myself with confidence and respect.

– What are you most looking forward to experiencing at Miss Europe Continental?

I’m most looking forward to meeting new people and getting to know women who come from different backgrounds and have their own stories and ambitions. I’m excited to be surrounded by creative and inspiring individuals, to learn new things, and to experience an event that is different from my everyday life. Of course, I’m also looking forward to enjoying the experience itself. I think it will be a wonderful opportunity to grow, make new connections, and create memories that I’ll carry with me.

– You will meet women from many different countries and backgrounds. What do you think makes an international experience like this so valuable?

I think an experience like this is valuable because every person brings a different story, culture, and perspective. I love exploring new places and learning about different cultures. When you meet people from other countries, you realize that there are so many different ways to live and understand the world. That can really broaden your perspective. You begin to see that your own way of looking at life is only one of many. For me, meeting people is one of the most meaningful ways to learn. You can read about the world, but when you connect with someone and hear their story, it becomes something real.

– You have already started building your path in fashion, and Miss Europe Continental could be another important step. When you look back at this experience a few years from now, what would you like to say it taught you?

When I look back at this experience years from now, I hope I can say that it taught me to be even more open to the opportunities life can bring. I hope I’ll remember the people I met, the stories I heard, and the moments that challenged me to step outside my comfort zone. I think sometimes you don’t know what an experience will bring into your life until you allow yourself to take part in it. And I would love to look back and feel grateful that I said yes and I allowed myself to discover something new.

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