Claudia Carpentier

It’s hard to believe that Claudia Carpentier, a French model with Caribbean roots, was bullied at school for her looks and couldn’t believe that one day she’d shine on runways and be selected among the most beautiful women in the world. Her natural allure and perseverance have granted her collaborations with some of Europe’s best designers. Despite having other professional passions such as event production and art management, Claudia admits that the fashion world is a big part of her life and in many ways defines who she is.

Claudia, tell us about yourself, how long have you been modeling?

In 2013, I started my journey with Elite Model Look in Reunion Island, an event organized by Aziz Patel and Stephane Pescimoro, the director of Operations for the World Final. I was surprised to be chosen because I never thought I could be a model due to the bullying I experienced at school. The hurtful nicknames about my looks made me doubt myself. But being selected among thousands of candidates boosted my confidence. Can you believe it? I was actually selected! And you know, it turns out being a model is not just about looking good, but also about having a thick skin – especially after dealing with all those school bullies and their inventive insults! But hey, I showed them what I’m capable of!

Since then, I’ve been in love with modeling as it fulfilled my passion for art and my determination. At the same time, I worked as an event producer and started organizing concerts when I was 16. I learned how to balance both worlds later on.

Let’s talk about your participation in the Miss World pageant in South Korea, how difficult was it?

I went to this pageant with my best friend, Miss Poland, Magdalena Kucharska. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the organizer Liinda Grandia, our schedule during the trip was tightly structured, starting our day at 6 am and ending at 8 pm. It was challenging, but my experience as a fencing champion helped me keep up. This contest became my favorite journey, giving me the chance to meet beautiful souls, make new friends, and share glamorous moments throughout the competition. I was happy to wear stunning dresses from Fashion Cross Over London’s showroom (whose CEO is Since Wang), which features incredible designers from Asia and the UK. My time in South Korea left a lasting impression, and I hope to go back one day.

Is modeling for you a business or a way of life? What qualities should a girl have in this profession?

Modeling is more than just a job; it’s a way of life and a form of self-expression for me. It allows me to display my creativity and personality through art. Despite the business aspects like contracts, my true focus lies in my passion and dedication every single day. Since 2017, I’ve been with Fashion Cross Over London’s showroom and it’s been a magical experience! They never fail to provide me with incredible designers and exceptional hospitality. This showroom is like stepping into a real-life fashion fairy tale! Modeling has now become a big part of who I am and helps me grow personally and professionally.

In modeling, there’re several essential qualities that can help you succeed. Firstly, confidence and poise on the runway are crucial, along with the ability to project different emotions and poses naturally. Good communication skills and adaptability are important when working with diverse teams and clients. Staying healthy with physical fitness and skincare is crucial too. And let’s not forget, being professional, punctual, and resilient when facing challenges is key to building a successful modeling career.

In 2022 you opened Spirit Art Space gallery, what prompted you to do it?

Due to Covid-19’s unexpected impact, I found myself diving into this project earlier than planned. Art experts, Magnus Resch and Santiago Rumney-Guggenheim convinced me to channel my energy into it. As someone who’s always been passionate about Art, I thought, “Why not give it a shot?” So, with the help of my sister Éléonore Carpentier and brother Frantz Carpentier, Spirit Art Space became a fun family business.