Meet Widget: international model, modelling-coach, medical academic and total powerhouse! Widget did an incredible photoshoot in my Peekaboo leopard collection and I just fell in love with the images. Flirty, fun, fierce and feminine; Widget shows us what it looks like to feel comfortable in your own skin. She reminds me of a gorgeous leopard, totally owning her spots!

With your red hair and freckles you have a very outspoken appearance. How do you ‘own your spots’?

Physical appearance does play an important role in how a person comes across on the outside. However, I also believe that the visual impression created is influenced by personality and charisma. I am a naturally fun-loving, open person, I am curious and enjoy trying out new things. If I were to describe myself, I am essentially a combination of a playful, excited little girl and someone ambitious who knows exactly what they want to achieve. I love spontaneity and going up to people, I even enjoy being dragged into unexpected situations, I’m readily adaptable although at the same time I stay true to myself. And I think that shows! As for the red hair and freckles, the only thing I can say is that I didn’t actively do anything to get them… I suppose I just have good genes, haha!

Have you always seen your unique features as a strength?

I must confess that during my childhood and adolescence I never really thought about it. When I was in my mid-twenties and got a better idea of what I wanted and who I am, I realized some of these characteristics are actually my strong points. However, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder, and you simply cannot please everyone. Nor should you! It’s not a bad thing to be disliked by someone.

As a model, your physical appearance is very determinative of your life/job/income/career. How does this affect your relationship with your body?

It has actually had a highly positive effect on my relationship with my body. Especially in the early stages of my modelling career I had the opportunity to learn a lot about myself and my body. Of course, like any woman, I have had experiences that I found unpleasant. There were many days when I didn’t always feel well or had encounters that I didn’t like. But modelling has allowed me to get a much better picture of myself. For example, I’ve learnt how multifaceted I can be and how a person’s charisma is often more important than just physical appearance (even in modelling). I love myself for what I am and with all my quirks, reputed errors, and foibles. I am simply myself; I am an individual and there will only ever be one of me in the world. And I am fine just the way I am.

How do you like to express your femininity?

To be honest, I’m the sort of person who likes being comfortable. I prefer wearing clothes that are timeless, plain and at the same time elegant. Sometimes less is more, and my red hair alone makes me stand out already. I love wearing loose, casual clothes that play around and disguise my femininity. Because when the clothes come off, there’s a little surprise hiding underneath ;-). My style matches my personality: I enjoy flirting, making jokes about myself and don’t take everything too seriously. Naturally, I also like dolling up and putting on make-up, but only when I’m in the mood and not because I ‘have to’!

What’s the best advice you would give to someone trying to feel better in their own skin?  What is the key to confidence?

The way I see it, I can only say this: stay true to yourself. Accept yourself as an individual, accept your body, accept your SELF, because you are fine as you are. When you start having doubts and lose confidence in yourself or what you do, just set yourself little goals at a time. Grow and learn bit by bit to where you want to be. Don’t let others tell you what is good or bad. Of course, other people’s advice and opinions can be useful, but ultimately, YOU must be happy with yourself and with the decisions you make. And about those decisions: don’t let anyone tell you that you won’t or can’t succeed, because if you want to achieve something from the bottom of your heart, then you will do it. The paths you take could be stony or smooth, but the stony paths are the ones that make your adventure exciting in the first place, right?

Follow widget for a taste of her spontaneous lifestyle @widget_official, and don’t forget her amazing team that made the ‘Own Your Spots’-photoshoot happen: photographer Benedikt Ernst and make-up artist Silke Ernst.