Photography by Charlie Engmann. Image Courtesy of Zalando.
The fashion world has definitely not always given the environment to be a place for everyone. But with an ongoing shift in approaching acceptance in our world, inevitably the demand for the fashion industry to incorporate today’s values in their work practices got continuously louder. In the middle of it all is Maty Drazek, who has freshly arrived in the haven of runways with its hustle and bustle. As a non-binary model, Maty is now entering a business that is making them part of a change to reflect our diverse reality.
SLEEK talks to Maty about misgendering, finding oneself and dreams for the future.
Image Courtesy of Maty Drazek.
SLEEK: You are starring in the new Zalando campaign that revolves around the concept of dreaming. Are you now who you have dreamed of becoming as a child?
Maty Drazek: I can answer with the most wonderful thing and that is yes. It has always been my dream to work in the fashion industry since I was a little child. Looking back, it is so invigorating to see how my dreams have turned into reality because dreams should not only be things you dream about. If you keep going, I can assure you that everything is possible.
S: You grew up in Prague, how did that influence your journey of finding yourself?
MD: The first thing that comes to mind is that I feel people here are not really happy also in terms of how they dress themselves. I felt like I always polarized with my appearance so I never felt understood or accepted. Growing up around people who only want to fit in made me want to do the opposite even more.
S: What surrounding makes you feel the safest?
MD: I’m so lucky to have amazing friends who feel more like family to me. What I value the most is that you can say anything that comes to your mind and you’ll know that they would never judge you.
Image Courtesy of Maty Drazek. Photography by James Tinnelly.
S: At 19 years old, you are still pretty young and already making big moves in the fashion industry. Sometimes it can be an overwhelming and intimidating environment, how do you deal with situations that can make you feel uncomfortable?
MD: I can’t be mad at people who are not sure whether to treat me more like a woman, a man or something else when they don’t know who I am. At this point, I don’t care which pronouns people use when they talk to me first. All of my friends use “she/her”, which I also use for my male friends; it’s just the way we talk to each other. But if people use “he/him”, or “they/them”, that is also fine with me.
S: What is the emotional process behind standing ground in who you are as a person?
MD: I was at a moment of my life when I wanted everyone to call me “her”, which is no longer a thing for me. But when someone accidentally used to call me a man at that time, I got super angry. Sometimes people treat you in a way that aligns with their views like: “Oh, he wears a skirt, let’s call him a girl!”. Some people just think differently and that is okay. But if you are sure about who you are, and know how you want to be treated, then you should correct people in moments that make you uncomfortable.
Image Courtesy of Maty Drazek. Photography by James Tinnelly.
S: Modeling also means putting on different roles like a shapeshifter. Do you also like to be someone else from day to day in your personal life?
MD: I enjoy the diversity of life and also of my character. I don’t live it out as excessively anymore but still. Sometimes I feel like I’m several people trapped in one body.
S: Has your sense of style changed since being in the fashion industry?
MD: My style has changed so much during the last few years, but I would necessarily say only because of my work. It’s more about how I feel as a person. I was always into things that were extra. There were phases when I wore super bright colors, also very super oversized clothes, then super tight. Now I feel like I have picked all of the things from everything and combined them together to define myself.
S: Was clothing a tool to find yourself?
MD: Absolutely, it helps me realize who I truly am.
S: How do you imagine your future self to be? What dreams do you still have?
MD: At some point, I imagine myself in a huge castle with big windows, antique statues and a huge garden all in rococo style. Before that I want to prove myself even more in my career. Above all, I want to be a person who can empathize with the situation of others, see, seek and give love. Surrounded by people whom I will give love to and also will receive their love in return.