Who’s That Girl: Ondria Hardin

For Mikael Jansson’s “Salvatore Ferragamo, remixed” story in our November issue, Interview creative director Karl Templer needed fresh-faced girls with grown-up elegance. Rising star Ondria Hardin (Ford) fit the bill. Here the young model talks Taipei and Tokyo—and gets sassy about her shorter contemporaries.

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Age? 15

Where did you grow up? North Carolina

Was it very fashionable? Fashionable in its own way, if you like cotton fields and horse pastures.

Did you grow up reading magazines? Yes. Right now, I enjoy all of the Vogues because I am in the Prada ads.

Were you always tall? Yes.

Did that set you apart from your peers? LOL. Only the short ones.

How were you discovered? In a showcase in North Carolina in 2009.

What would be your dream campaign? Prada.

Whose runway have you always wanted to walk? Marc Jacobs.

Have you accomplished these goals?  Yes! Prada FW11 NYC and Marc Jacobs SS12 NYC.

Whose look are you obsessed with right now? No particular person—I have never been the type to idolize.

What is your favorite city? In general, New York City because of its diversity!  For vacation, Taipei. Everything there is great—shopping, food, and people. I enjoy working in Tokyo because of the great, fresh Asian food on the jobs, as well as the teams. Very fun and unique!

What is your favorite food? Asian.

Tell us about your first shoot. The shoot was for RUSSH issue 35:  “The kids are alright” [spread] with Benny Horne and Stevie Dance.  It was really creative and the team was fabulous. It was a fantastic first shoot experience! It was what I expected and much more.

How do you prepare to walk? I put my shoulders back and walk the tight rope.