Professional life of Emma Stern

I recently signed with Scoop Models. I worked full time from when I was 21-27 and in the end I really needed to do something else, and that’s when I started Architecture. It was such a pleasure to be able to explore my creative path, instead of always observing others. I’m excited to get back into modelling and experience it as an older and more mature, or confident, version of myself.

In 2022, I completed an internship at Arquitectura-G in Barcelona, as I wanted to gain experience with architecture beyond the Scandinavian box and broaden my frame of reference. This is something I still wish to pursue, and I'm considering moving abroad for a period of time.

Throughout my studies, I developed a strong interest in the intersection of art and architecture, and I'm deeply engaged in exploring the multidisciplinary aspects of the field. At the moment, I'm focusing on my own projects and trying to find a clear direction. The goal is to establish my own studio. I've already started collaborating with a friend on projects such as furniture, housing, and set designs. Hopefully, this will evolve into full-time work in the future.

As a model for many years, I worked on a lot of swimwear shoots, which eventually made me think about what I would do differently in terms of product design and visual identity. I often found it hard to relate to the campaigns I was part of and frequently questioned how many styles of swimwear are really necessary.It was important for me not to compromise on the quality but to keep a fair price. As a stand against mass production and I wanted to create a wardrobe staple by starting with just one style in different colours.

Swimwear is a fantastic product to experiment with visually – it's simple, needs no explanation, yet remains highly feminine and graphic. I wanted to create a brand that breaks away from the typical beachy aesthetic. In both architecture and art, I’m very drawn towards the meeting and balance between the natural and artificial – which also applies to my take on the visuals for Alipo.

Art, architecture, and fashion are not just my jobs but also my biggest passions, so it's challenging to draw a clear line between professional and personal. However, being able to work in fields I love is a privilege, so perhaps achieving a strict balance isn't as crucial.

My days are a blend of working on Alipo and architecture, all from home. While I miss the energy of an office, I love the flexibility – having my books within arm’s reach and the freedom to fit in a workout, modelling or other personal projects.

Mangia and their sister Circolo: My favourite places. I love sitting at the bar and observing the restaurant.
@mangia_vesterbro & @circolo_frederiksberg

Dizidra: A perfect little café in Nørrebro. The atmosphere is so warm and welcoming and the food is great – especially the scones!
@dzidra_dzidra_dzidra

Swim: I love living in a big city where you have the option to go swimming right around the corner. A great spot is on Holmen, right next to Torpedohallen. It's never too crowded.

The Library at the Royal Academy: I love books on art and architecture and they have a great selection. I have such a big book collection, that I have nowhere to put them anymore, so borrowing is a great option.

Grøntmarked: A market every Sunday in different places in Copenhagen. Perfect place to buy fresh local produce.

Content by @sternnielsen