Amayzine Questionnaire
With Akke Marije
She won Holland's Next Top Model, secured a modeling contract with Touché Models and is now launching her own perfume. Akke Marije, who is sometimes secretly referred to as the new Doutzen, had to be in our Amayzine Questionnaire.
Akke Marije, tell us everything…
“The launch of my perfume It’s Me was last night. With an intro on horseback, which I had of course practiced and that went wrong a few times. I just thought, as long as I don’t fall off that horse and as long as my dress stays down when they lift me off the horse. The idea was immediately to present me with the perfume. Not a glamorous girl in a busy shopping street, but the natural girl from the countryside. It’s a perfume with a story. The photographer of the campaign rescued a emaciated, blind horse from slaughter. It was a successful racehorse, but due to an infection, it was sold and sold and sold until it was completely blind. It has been rescued, happy, and yes, sometimes runs into a tree, but only receives love. That’s why we decided to donate a part of the proceeds to them. It actually came about quite accidentally.‘
What does a natural girl from the countryside smell like?
“I had no idea how to make a perfume, but they asked for my favorite season, favorite colors, and which fruit I liked. Based on my answers, they chose the ingredients. I had to smell all those jars, but I was actually immediately sure. I chose the bottle, the cap, contributed to the campaign. I still have sore cheeks from laughing last night.”
And Holland’s Next Top Model, how has that changed your life?
“Well, quite a bit. My life is turned upside down. I had no dream or ambition to become a model, but unexpectedly I made it through the rounds. The Netherlands has received me so positively that I won. Now it’s my full-time job. I had to choose between modeling work and a social life or modeling work and school. This new world I work in is unknown to me, so that makes contact with my friends and family even more important. But I always knew I wanted to work in healthcare, that certainty disappeared. It took me a while to realize how special it all was.”
What does a day look like for you now?
“Either very busy or very quiet. Usually, I only hear a day in advance if I have a job. Then the alarm goes off very early because I have to go from Friesland to Amsterdam. Then it’s nice to get my makeup done, my hair done, wear nice clothes, and go all out. On other days, I’m just sitting at home, haha.”
A little tip for girls who also want to participate?
“I looked up to the other girls. They had experience, a smooth talk. I just thought: shit, I’m really the fool here. I can’t do anything but be myself. And then it turned out that was more than enough. That’s why people liked me. Just be yourself, and you’ll never fall through the cracks. And if things go less well, another day will come that you rock.”
Your icon in the profession?
“That’s just Doutzen Kroes, maybe also because we have a bit of the same roots. I have the feeling that despite her success, she has remained very down to earth.”
People also call you the new Doutzen…
“Haha, yes that’s a huge compliment. But before you reach that level, you’re years and years away. I’m not there yet or maybe I won’t even get there. I’m very down to earth, everything I get to do is a bonus. And yes, who wouldn’t want to walk for Chanel? Of course, I have dreams.”
What do you eat when calories are not a factor?
“Fries and chips and spring rolls and chocolate. Actually, everything that is unhealthy. Oh, and my favorite is kale stew. Last night I came home at half past two and there was still a big pot of kale stew on the stove, delicious.”
And what do you do when no one is home?
“Then I walk around in a pair of sweatpants, with a sweater, without a bra and in slippers. The television goes on, Netflix or a concert by Bløf. And then I’m perfectly fine all day with good food and chilling.”
No one knows this about you?
“Actually, I secretly want to be able to sing very well. I practice hard in the car, singing along loudly. Even when I watch The Voice. But unfortunately. Sometimes I think I can sing and that I’ve got a song down, but that’s just not the case. Or someone looks at me like: Akke, just don’t. I also sometimes get that silly question: who sings that song again?”
You want a ticket to?
“Italy. I love Italy. I fell in love with Rome at first sight. With the city, the people, the food.”
The last three things you bought?
“A dark green jumpsuit, a gift from a home store for a friend, and a beautiful, dark red lipstick from Clinique.”
If your bag could talk, what would she tell us?
“That I should clean it up better, haha. It’s a collection of perfume, gas station receipts, Labello, a wallet. And it’s getting fuller and fuller and fuller because I never empty it. Until I think: what’s in here, man? And then I find stuff I’ve been missing for twenty-six years.‘
When I grow up, I want to…
“Be a mom. In ten years, I see myself with a little house, a tree, a pet, and a husband. Work, I don’t know yet. Maybe still modeling or back in healthcare. But I’m a mother, that’s for sure.”
You can shop for Akke Marije's new perfume at The Sting and starting Friday via themodelhouse.tv.
