Germany's longest legs have a new name: Jelena Nebendahl. Model Management's promising new face has been discovered during the final of the German Elite Model Look contest in 2005 and at almost 6", this long-legged beautiful eye-catcher is set to conquer the catwalks and grace high fashion magazine covers.
We're certain we will be seeing even more of Jelena soon and in the meantime we had the chance to interview her...

How did you get started in the modeling business?
Jelena: I got discovered in the German Elite Model Look contest in 2005.
I just sent some pictures to Model Management and they have made me a German finalist.

Did you ever think you'd be doing this?
Jelena: No not really. At the age of 12 I decided to study fashion design after finishing school but I changed my plans quickly after I have been discovered as a model. To me it was clear that I wanted to try fulltime modeling after school.

What do you like most about modeling? What do you like least?
Jelena: The least I like long-distance flights. I have pretty long legs and plane seats mean that I almost need to fold my body instead of sitting forever and ever and ever….;)
I really like the art of doing great Make Up and the resulting metamorphosis. It is still very surprising to see myself looking totally different from shoot to shoot.

Have you encountered any surprises along the way?
Jelena: In the beginning I was a bit afraid to go onstay to New York. I arrived there and felt home immediately and realized that it is exactly “my city”.

What has been your most awkward moment (of your modelling career)?
Jelena: When I had to leave NYC again……:)

Have you developed any new interests since you started modelling?
Jelena: Oh yes! Modeling got me so much into fashion that I became a bigtime fashion blogger.

What are your favourite things to do in your free time?
Jelena: I love to take long walks with my mother’s dogs. I sew, hear a lot of music, read and write fashion blogs – and guess what – I love shopping! What a surprise!

Out of all the places your career has taken you, where was the most memorable?
Jelena: Deffo NYC but I liked London as well.

Do you have a mentor? Who? What is it about them that affects you? Why?
Jelena: For sure my bookers. I am really happy with my agency structure. I try to be as professional as possible and I hope that they know that they can count on me. I know that I can totally count on them. They give me good advice and I feel very safe in their hands.

Where do you see yourself in ten years? What could be your next career?
Jelena: I have finished school and to me it is clear that I will go to university after my modeling career. The subject is a little unclear these days.

What are your best beauty secrets? How do you stay in shape?
Jelena: Always eat enough sweets! ;)

What would you want people to know about you?
Jelena: I am pretty tall but I am also a pretty nice girl!

Any advice for new models? What advice would you give other models starting out?
Jelena: Don’t change your personality but always be professional. Cocky behavior ends in nowhere land.

Favourite all-time model:
Jelena: Gisele with her beautiful hair.

Favourite fashion designer:
Jelena: Herr Lagerfeld of course!

Favourite kind of food:
Jelena: Müsli, peanut-butter-honey-sandwich, sweets & salad. Irritating combo, isn’t it?!

Favourite kind of music:
Jelena: Pop when being in a good mood - like “Miss Lii” for example. Metal like “System On A Down” when being grumpy. And good old “Björk” for relaxation.

What are your favourite 3 songs at the moment?:
Jelena: 1. “I heard of a girl” by “Miss Lii” 2. “I gotta feeling” by the “Black Eyed Peas” 3. “Heavy cross” by “The Gossip”

I'd like to meet:
Jelena: My favourite fashion blogger “Rumi”.

If I were trapped on an island I'd take:
Jelena: My best friends, my laptop (with an internet-stick), some comfortable clothes & some food.

Thank you Jelena for this interview!
Special thanks to Pat and Model Management!!
note: all answers are original and unaltered

view Jelena's profile

more photos...