In the digital age of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and the likes, the desire to be an acknowledged individual is getting bigger and bigger.
So it´s no wonder, that the biggest goal nowadays seems to be a star for many people. An example: if you look around in the alternative scenes which are mostly no more underground, the profession of a Tattoo-Model is becoming more and more popular.
Especially girls are often following this trend, in hope to be discovered one day and to be featured on the cover of the biggest Tattoo-Magazines. But in fact, only a few girls have the look and especially the charisma to be a real model with attitude, because for this job you really need more than some badass tattoos and a sexy pose. Good examples for girls with attitude are models like Lexy Hell from Austria who already walked for Jean Paul Gaultier in Paris, the German Alternative Model Makani Terror or the new uprising star Hell Glam from Switzerland.
Valerie aka Hell Glam from Lucerne is still a newcomer in this game, but her evolution from a cute and punky Tattoo-Shop owner who likes to act in front of the camera from time to time, to an outstanding and worldwide booked Alternative Model is really remarkable.
To be honest, her trademarks are not the tattoos, because in the scene you can find a bunch of girls with more and perhaps better ink…NO, here it´s the look with her expressive steel blue eyes and the blond, shaved hair in combination with a striking face which makes Hell Glam unique.
But who´s this girl from Switzerland who gained over 300.000 Fans on Facebook in just one year and which is loved and hated in the same time by so many people? Well. let´s find out a lil´ bit more about her…
Hi Val. I know you for more than 3 years now and we´ve already worked together several times. But if I Iook back and see the Val from 2011 and the Hell Glam of today, there are worlds apart. You created a complete new and unique look for yourself in this time which is one of the most important parts of your success.
Tell us how it started back in the days! What was the main trigger for your decision to start a career as professional model?
Haha plan.. NO plan at all! That’s the point! I was never plaining anything like that! It just happened!
Your Picture on the cover of the RCKSTR Mag, the biggest Magazine for music and pop culture in Switzerland, end of 2012 was surely one of the starting shots and a good push for your career. After this you had shootings in Los Angeles with Estevan Oriol as well as some features in TV. I remember the TAFF special on the German TV channel Pro Sieben. So what were your personal highlights so far?
To work with great artists, people & animals is always a highlight for me. To meet Estevan was a big dream came true… everything what happens with Hell Glam is just a dream!
You´re still owner of your Tattoo Studio “Crimson Needlez” in Lucerne. Last year you moved to a bigger and better location with the studio. Did your success as model changed anything in the daily grind of the studio?
No, not really. you know me al. I’m always myself. We still have “normal” Swiss customers and i’m really happy about that!
I feel you and it´s true…you´ve not changed at all. That´s really nice!
What is about your old job? Beside of being “just the owner” of “Crimson Needlez”, you worked there as piercer too. I remember that you´ve started tattooing too back in the days!? Are you still active or does your job as model takes too much time? I think this question is important for all your fans too, who want to meet you in real-life! Hahaha….
Yes, i was learning it but now I don’t have the time and to be honest it was too much responsibility for me … I mean if you´re doing something wrong its there for a life time. So I better do my model job and have only the responsibility for me, myself and I! 😉
As outsider it feels like Facebook is one of your main promotion tools. You´ve collected over 300.000 Fans in just one year! That´s really impressive. What do you do beside Facebook to push your name? Do you have an agency or a management too? Or do you do everything on your own?
Haha I call it the one girl thing… I do everything on my own. Sure a lot of people support me and many share my stuff. All the magazines and everything…. so this helps me a lot as well. But like I told you it was never planed… so all what’s coming its just another present!
I call it the one girl thing… I do everything on my own
How can somebody book you and what are your criteria to do a model job? What are absolutely no-goes for you?
You can book me with sending an Email to: hell.glam@yahoo.com… mmmhh I don’t do naked jobs or porns or anything like that. If you wanna book me you know my style. This is what you get when u book me. I don’t change myself. This is the nice part of “never planned” 😉
Beside that you´ve got a really strong fanbase. As already mentioned over 300.000 people are following you only on your Facebook Fanpage. With your private profile, Instagram and stuff you reach something about 10.000 people more. I saw fan paintings of you, yourself as cartoon character and even your portrait as tattoo on a guys leg! That´s amazing. How important is your fanbase for your success and your personal life?
Without my fan’s, friends and supporters I would be nothing as a model. Today there are many “wannabe´s” and it’s really not that easy… because it’s a lot behind this job or the actual photoshoot. I wanna do it professional and not just half way… so it’s a lot of work and time. Because many so called „Models“ are taking nothing or too less money for their jobs this makes it harder for professional models to work & live. It´s a daily strife and this is why every fan and supporter is important and precious for me.
I wanna do it professional and not just half way… so it’s a lot of work and time. Because many so called „Models“ are taking nothing or too less money for their jobs this makes it harder for professional models to work & live. It´s a daily strife and this is why every fan and supporter is important and precious for me.
Everytime somebody has success, the haters are following up! I think you know this problem too. How do you handle hating in general and especially on social media?
Did you ever saw a hater doing better then you? 😉 I still don’t give a fuck. But to be honest – sometimes if you having a bad day it starts to annoy. But on the other hand, haters show me that I’m on the right way 🙂
I think your job isn´t always easy going and means hard work everyday! Which people are giving you strength and support beside your family?
I love my life & what I do. Yes, it is a lot of work… a lot of mental work as well… but you know: mind is everything. Just stay yourself!
My family, my man, my animals, going to workout…. these are the best parts in my life!
Some time ago you started a webstore too. Actually you sale posters, signed cards and stuff. Do you plan more merchandise?
Yes, time will show… haters watch out… it´s 2014 and there´s much more to come 😉
I think especially 2013 was a good year for you concerning your career as model. Do you have any plans for this year? What can we expect from Hell Glam in 2014?
I’m changing my whole life & soon you guys will see what happens!
And this one is for all the broken hearted guys out there….are you single or taken? If you´re single, which is the most important thing for you when you´re interested in somebody? Or better said, how can somebody get into Hell Glam´s heart?
Taken… sorry guys 🙂
Aaaaaaw, I´m sure that you just broke some hearts out there! Hahaha….thanks for the honest interview Val….any shootouts?
Stay true & don’t judge without knowledge! Thank you Jase!
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/HellGlam
Every other week we send out our email newsletter with the latest music, clothing & lifestyle updates. Why don't you sign up, too, and never miss another article!
