Carlotta Kohl

Photographer and model Carlotta Kohl has a knack for capturing and conveying the boundless parameters of human intimacy. From her editorial work behind-the-camera for the likes of Alberta Ferretti and Miu Miu to fashion modeling and personal portraiture, Kohl has a distinct interest in deconstructing the complexities of the female experience. In her newest body of work, she follows the metamorphoses of a few teenage women over the course of three years and documents their various coming-of-age escapades. Kohl’s soft aesthetic and retro undertones call to mind the sort of dark-rainbow-like artistry of Sofia Coppola. No small feat! This combined with her kind disposition and candidness is just some of what makes Carlotta Kohl so damn Dandy.

Our day-to-day lives have transformed drastically in the course of a few weeks. News is more horrifying than ever. Fear is abound. How are you handling everything mentally? Did you leave NYC?

I'm currently in Brooklyn holed up with my boyfriend. I'm feeling very fortunate and appreciative about my circumstances, which is really humbling and puts things in perspective about my own well-being. I'm really more concerned about those who have lost family and loved ones who can't work and can’t afford not to. So when I think about it like that, I count my lucky fucking stars and try to be of service to others. That being said, I've dealt with depression and anxiety all my life, so I do little things here and there for my physical and mental well-being like exercising in the morning, getting some sun, and trying to eat three healthy meals a day, when literally all I want to do is eat fried cheese under my covers.

Have you found this quarantine has helped you focus more on creative work? Or do you feel more distracted?

I feel like there's a lot of pressure to create and be productive. Everywhere we look, we’re told we should capitalize on all this time. But we’re also experiencing something very traumatic. Personally, I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself to work on some projects of my own, but moving forward I'm going to let that happen organically. And fortunately, I’m working on a few creative projects for hire, so that’s keeping me pretty busy and happy.

You criticize yourself the most when:

I'm making work. I have massive standards for myself, which has been really debilitating over the years but has improved in time. Making mistakes leads you to places you would have never discovered if everything just worked out your way. Some of my best work has come out of the depths of "failure."

Book recommendations you feel like sharing:

I love any Stephen King. His books are beautiful metaphors about life and overcoming your inner fears.

There are some songs that get us fired up to exercise. What are your go-to's when you need to shake it all out:

Anything Abba!!

Five beauty products you always use:

Drunk Elephant Lippe Balm, Farmacy Sleep Tight Firming Night Balm (I use this day and night), Caudalie- Instant Foaming Cleanser, RMS Beauty Signature Set Pop Collection (this has everything for a dewy fresh/ rosy look!), and GrandeBROW Brow Enhancing (this SERIOUSLY works! I put it on every-night before bed).

This unreasonably annoys you:

Anyone in the kitchen when I'm trying to cook.**Holds up knife**

The first thing you're going to do when we're allowed to leave the house again:

Hug my friends <3333333

Being a model comes with its stereotypes. Not that there is anything wrong with "just" being a model, but you happen to also be a very talented artist. Was it initially hard for certain (small-minded) people to digest that you are multi-talented in addition to being pretty?

Wow, first of all I'm blushing—thank you. I think at first people were kinda dumbfounded with what to do with me. I remember meeting with one big modeling agency and they were so confused that I was a photographer as well. They didn't know how to market me, which is so funny to me because they could have utilized my skill sets to make even more money for themselves. Presently, having multiple jobs/interests is a requirement for most modeling agencies. I think it used to be a lot easier for people to put you neatly in a box, but now it’s almost expected that you're a multi-hyphenate.

Share one of your favorite projects of all time:

The one I'm currently working on! I'm documenting the day-to-day of a group of teenage girls over the course of three years.

The last time you felt embarrassed:

Omg like yesterday? I was born embarrassed.

How your perception of your body has changed since your early 20s:

I've dealt with serious body issues since my teens. I experienced full-blown anorexia and that never entirely goes away. You learn to cope physically, but the feelings and anxiety around that always lingers. Now I’m way kinder to my body because I have to be. I'm in a space where I will not sacrifice my body to fit some idealized version I have in my head.

One of the best trips you ever went on and where you stayed/adventured/ate:

I went to the Almalfi Coast with my mom and my friend Petra Collins. We didn't stay at the fanciest places because we wanted to take a lot of day trips—like to La Fragolini in Capri (a beach club and restaurant), La Conca del Sogno at Nerano Bay (another beach club and restaurant), Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria ( a beautiful old hotel we'd visit for lunch while exploring Sorrento). We laughed the entire trip.

The reason I started this site is to highlight how multifaceted women are. How many layers we have and the range of moods we experience. How do you combat your anxiety and depression?

My anxiety first manifested as OCD when I was 11 and then morphed into general anxiety, so you could say that I've had a lifetime to figure out ways to cope with it. I find that keeping a routine is really helpful, waking up early, exercising, socializing even when you don't want to and of course SSRIs.

What you're currently nostalgic for:

I've been feeling really nostalgic about last summer, because I'm not sure what this summer will mean for us.

I read you studied photography in art school. When did you also pivot to painting and film? Did you teach yourself at home or did you also take classes?

I've always been creating in different mediums even though I didn't necessarily study it. I think art is for everyone and now there are so many different ways of educating yourself other than getting a degree at an art school. A lot of it is just trial and error. There's no right way and no rules when it comes to art.

Why did your parents leave Paris for NY? Do you go back to Paris often? Is it one of your favorite places to be?

My dad was working as a photographer and would go to the states often for work, so we figured we would relocate for a year and try it out. It’s been 22 years! I do love Paris though. We haven't been back as a family in a really long time, but I go on my own and revisit some of my earliest memories.

You have to eat here:

Cafe Alula! A great Lebanese place in Greenpoint.

Film recommendations to help us get through quarantine:

Not a film, but a series! My Brilliant Friend on HBO. It’s so moving and also visually stunning.

In a past life, you were probably:

A swallow.

Your vices:

Sugar, being bossy, and reality TV.