Celina Ralph’s story originally appeared in i-D’s The New Worldwi-De Issue, no. 363, Summer 2021. Order your copy here.
Hey Celina! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I’m 21 and I’m from Hastings which is an arty little town by the sea, an hour or so from London. I’ve been modelling since I was 16 and at the moment I’m studying psychotherapy.
Describe yourself in four words…
Spontaneous, creative, caring and bald.
Do you have any secret talents?
I can do a really good impression of a sheep.
How do you feel about your i-D cover dropping today?
It’s my first ever cover! I’m very anxious but also excited, I really love the pictures.
What was the shoot like?
There was a beautiful sense of exploration and collaboration between everyone. No one was afraid to play with ideas or concepts. I love shoots like that, the weirder the better in my book.
What’s the biggest myth about modelling?
“You’re a model so you must be confident.” Such a myth. Being in an industry with a heightened sense of comparison and judgment being made on how you look, can cause a lot of insecurity in models. Self confidence is a process for everyone!
What’s the best thing about having a buzz cut?
I’d say the feeling of liberation it gives you. There’s something very liberating about being a woman with no hair.
And the worst?
Probably the comments random men have made about how much prettier I would be if I had hair. But whatever! It’s a complete reflection on them and a lesson for me not to care about other people’s perceptions of you.
What was it like shaving your head for the first time? What inspired you to do it?
My man actually shaved my head for me the first time. It was a couple hours before I got on a plane with my best friend to travel around the Philippines for a few months, so it felt quite significant. I don’t think anything really inspired me to do it, it was just an urge I’d had for two years.
What’s on your post lockdown bucket list this summer?
Any music event with big crowds filled with people dancing and hugging.
Is there a show you’re most excited to walk in when things reopen?
Any show would be cool! But I definitely want to walk for Alexander McQueen. I love working with them and I feel very comfortable in their clothes.
Credits
Photography Mario Sorrenti
Styling Alastair McKimm
Make-up Kanako Takase at Streeters using Addiction Beauty.
Set design Philipp Haemmerle.
Nail technician Honey at Exposure NY using Londontown.
Photography assistance Javier Villegas and Brett Ross.
Digital technician Kotaro Kawashima.
Styling assistance Madison Matusich and Ava Langham.
Set design assistance Adam Dicarlo.
Production Katie Fash and Layla Néméjanski.
On set production Steve Sutton.
Production assistance William Cipos.
Casting director Samuel Ellis Scheinman at DMCASTING.
Model Celina Ralph at The Society.