SLY010: Akke Visschers, you are a true multi-talent: designer, sales expert, creative consultant, entrepreneur, founder of your own jewelry brand AKKESOIR and mother. Now, in your early 40s, you’re launching your modeling career and landing your first campaign for a major company on billboards across Germany. Congratulations!

Akke: Thank you so much!

SLY010: What is your secret?

Akke: Doing things that I enjoy. This is when I feel my ‘magic’. And I do it with the attitude: The best years are not over at 40, on the contrary! Now I have more life experience and serenity. Believing in yourself and being positive in life is important!

SLY010: What made you decide to take the step into the modeling business?

Akke: I used to work as a model from time to time, but never really professionally. I was a high-level track and field athlete and then had a dream to study fashion and travel to countries. I did both and lived and worked in Bali for a long time, for example. Again and again, in recent years I was increasingly asked why I do not work as a model. So did my boyfriend, the photographer Alexander Straulino. Then I thought, ‘why not’, I would like to do it and I’m sure it would be fun. Alex photographed me at the beginning of the summer and sent the first results to a wonderful agency, which then became my agency (MIHA Models). From then on it went pretty fast and I had some really cool jobs right away.

SLY010: If you could look 10 years into the future, where do you see yourself?

Akke: I still hope that I can do the different jobs I currently do, have fun, and of course be successful. I used to think I would only have one job. But I have multiple interests and that’s totally fine! I love variety and also in the future I want to be independent and my own boss. To express my creativity, to travel and preferably to do something good, like working for a charity. I definitely see myself in jobs where I can combine work and travel.

SLY010: You were born and raised in the Netherlands and now live in Berlin. Where do you feel at home and where would you like to live if it wasn’t Berlin?

Akke: Sometimes I miss the Netherlands. Not so much the places (although, the coast and Amsterdam do), sometimes the people (family, friends), but especially the mentality! The coolness and directness that many people have there. I have often wondered where I would like to live and maybe that will be back in the Netherlands after all someday. I could also imagine it somewhere more southern (sunnier), but I definitely want to travel and see the world. I still love Berlin, but regular change is very important.

SLY010: What are your professional dreams?

Akke: I’m currently working on my jewelry label AKKESOIR again, making small series and unique pieces. After a break I am working again with a lot of joy on new pieces of jewelry. Preferably independently and in my own individual way. With STUDIO AKKINO, a ‘photography duo’, in collaboration with my boyfriend, I wish for more exciting projects. Currently, a beautiful photo series is available at Lumas. We also have a successful fundraising project for war victims up and running. ‘Last but not least’ I also see myself as a model in the future. As a ‘best-age’ model you have good chances nowadays and there are such cool personalities. I also like the definition ‘no-age’. When you shine from the inside, beauty knows no age. My dream would be a high fashion campaign or on a catwalk in one of the fashion capitals.

SLY010: Which personality would you like to meet one day?

Akke: There are some exciting, inspiring people! I would love to have tea with Jane Goodall. The other day I heard an exciting podcast with her – what a clear, authentic, ‘self-made’ woman! She always believed in her dream and inspired me so much with it. Elsa Schiaparelli is sadly no longer alive, but she is one of my biggest creative inspirations that I wish I had met. Likewise Daniel Roseberry, who currently designs the label Schiaparelli, I love by the way also very much!