Russh Magazine

Eniko Mihalik. Completely unforgettable, an editorial favourite with good reason. Originally on exclusive to Inez and Vinoodh, she’s Mario Sorrenti’s preference; the face of A.P.C., the former face of Gucci and Max Mara, and a regular for the likes of Paris Vogue, Self Service, V, W and i-D magazines. Timeless, with the best body in the business and that Jerry Hall hair, she is the perfect pin-up for our ICONS issue.

Who are you style influences?
Everyone and no one. I get my ideas from people who surround me. Stylists, my agent, my friends, people on the street. I just look, see something I like, and try to make it work for/on me, yet I never ‘steal’ or copy ideas from others, and I don’t idealise anyone.

Who or what do you think is iconic?
Iconic would be something that most people agree on. Like jeans, we all love them. Since we are all so different from one another, and we have distinct taste for a lot of things, it is very hard to find something or someone we share the same thoughts about. When we do, most of these things or people become so common, and well-known, that we can confidently call them icons.

What would you pick as a Hungarian icon and why?
Goulash. Even though Hungary has so many famous artists, great creations, amazing culture, history and beautiful lands, goulash – our traditional soup dish – seems to be the one thing that became world-famous. It’s well-known in all the best restaurants all around the world. The way it represents and introduces Hungary to others makes me really proud of my home country. Even if it’s not my favourite food, most people who try it, love it. It is simple, it is spicy, and it is made of the best Hungarian ingredients.

What are you currently obsessed with?
Online shopping. I recently discovered how amazingly comfortable it is to be able to purchase and purchase more and more items while sitting on my couch. Most days, when I get home, there’s a package waiting for me. I often lose track, so it’s always a surprise as to what’s in the box. Seriously! I gotta quit!

What do you remember most from your childhood?
I remember the great summers I used to spend at my grandparents’ holiday house. Luckily, I wasn’t the only young kid in the village, so every summer, when my pals and I teamed up, we taught each other how to ride bicycles, we learnt how to swim, went ‘hunting’ (… fishing). I used to go home with at least one new bruise each day. We fell from trees, and the girls challenged the boys in karate all the time. On a calmer day, we used our ‘office’ to handle all the ‘paperwork’. Our post office was very busy, and our jail cells were never empty. At the end of every day, we used to watch this plant opening its yellow flowers, around 7pm, when the sun was going down. The fun was only over for a night. There was always a new day for us to get into more trouble.

What do you miss most about Hungary?
I guess because of the way I was raised, Hungary will always take a big place in my heart. This is the reason I still call it home. That explains why there’s not only one thing I miss the most – I miss everything, the whole thing.

If you had your time over, would you do anything differently?
Nothing major. I appreciate all the good and all the bad things I did to myself. If I did anything differently, I wouldn’t be the same person I am right now.

What surprises you?
I think the rushing world we live in often requires people to be professional, sort of cold. I’m always very surprised when I see someone open up and do something absolutely unselfish to someone else, just to help them. A quote that was told to me by a friend of mine stuck in my head forever: ‘The less you expect from people, the more surprised you might get one day’. Well, something similar.

To unwind after a hard day’s work I like to... 
Drink a glass of red wine.

First impressions are... 
Tricky.

I keep fit by...
Having a trainer who can put up with me.

The last movie I watched was...
Stargate. It reminds me of my childhood.

My favourite food is...
Hungarian-style chicken stew.

The last book I read was...
American Psycho. For the second time.

My beauty routine consists of...
Washing my face with cold water and applying moisturiser right after.

On screen, I’m thinking...
Don’t be nervous, take it slow, they can always cut it.

When I see myself on screen...
I blush out.

My biggest indulgence in life is...
That I get to live it.

My favourite people in the fashion world are...
Very, very, very talented.

My wardrobe consists of... 
All the clothes I’ve ever bought. I can never get rid of anything.

I never thought I...
Would be the lucky one who gets to live in abroad.

I always wanted to...
Fly free, like a bird.

If I wasn’t modelling, I would be...
A teacher.

My defining personality trait is...
‘A little girl in a woman’s body.’

My nickname is...
Encike.

The best advice I was ever given was...
Everything happens for a reason, so we can learn and grow to become a better person.

Right now, I really want to...
Stop time.