Can you tell us something about yourself and your passions?
Gigi Mae Ringel is what my parents named me. When I was born my grandfather said; if this doesn't become a superstar with this name, I'll eat my shoe! I hope I've proven him right with a 10-year career as a model. I fly all over the world every week for photoshoots. The adventure is mainly in 'not knowing'. I can be called today to fly to New York tomorrow and create something beautiful there with a completely new team. Every day is different and that is why I also started studying yoga 10 years ago to learn to be at home wherever you are. To maintain a routine and to feel fit, both physically and mentally. In 2022 I went to India to learn in an ashram for a month and I now pass on this knowledge to others when I am at home with a yoga class. The two completely different worlds together make me happy.

How did you get to where you are now in your career/life?
By doing it! Enough doubts and obstacles, but sometimes you just have to step in with both feet and go. I look back on 10 years of working as a model and see how often I had no idea what was in store but just went for it. A great support from friends and family and my agents definitely help with that!

What are some challenges you've faced along the way and how did you overcome them?
As a model you are often alone. Even though you work in large groups, these are often new people and that can be quite intimidating. For me yoga has helped a lot with this. Something to hold on to and something recognizable to take with me, wherever I go now, I feel at home.

How do you use your platform/(work) environment/influence to make a difference?
I think modeling goes beyond just having a good head. You have a big network to connect with and in that way influence the atmosphere on set but also exchange ideas and 'being'.

What achievement are you most proud of and why?
Ah, I think my own little house. I travelled a lot before this and never really had a base. Other people I met always opened their homes for dinners or sleeping places. Every city or unknown place then became “real”. You enter each other’s intimate world. And now, through hard work, I have been able to create such a place myself. I like to host friends, have guests regularly and in this way I can give back a little of the times that I use here myself.

How do you integrate The Insiders into your daily routine or work?
With work I get a lot of products in my hair so I like to keep it simple on my days off. A good shampoo as a base and the Velvet Curl Cream for when my hair is feeling a bit dry & the Hustler Dry Shampoo for an early morning start!

Who or what inspires you the most?
My two grandmothers, 91 years old and still on top of the world! The only artist who sells her paintings at fairs and who started a philosophy course at 90. And my other grandmother who is a woman of the world and has been in politics where her voice for women's rights is paramount.

What's the best advice you've ever received?
You don't have to be the best, just have fun! - Mom.

Do you have any tips or advice for women who want to follow your path?
Focus on what you want to focus on. And it will undoubtedly pay off!

What are your plans or goals for the future?
I'm going to be in Paris for a while, to dive into the market there this year. Furthermore, I want to let my new company Alternettle blossom into a place where people like to be, go home with an inspired feeling. I hope to show that everything that is done with attention, mindfulness, makes everything a little more beautiful, inside and out.

Want to know more about Gigi?
Check ALTERNETTLE - Preventative Therapies Based on Traditional Chinese Medicine • Current Pop-up in Amsterdam.
https://www.instagram.com/gigiringel