Jac: The Sensation.

PONY RYDER: Jac, who gave you your model name? Do other models refer to you as Jac or Monika?
MONIKA JAGACIAK: I was named by IMG Paris agents, while traveling the first time for test shootings. I never had a nickname in school.. Some of my friends used to call me Monia, so I was very excited to have a new name ! I always say that in the modeling part of my life I’m Jac and for the other part, which is school, friends and family I’m still Monika :) But yes.. Most of my model friends and people don’t even know my real name. But don’t u love JAC ? just Jac…

PONY RYDER: How did your story start?
JAC: It won’t be one of those exciting stories that you probably hear a lot about becoming a model. One day my sister told me “why don’t u try ?” So I did. At the time I was 13..and I was 175 cm tall already. I found an agency in Poland and simply went for a casting call in the shopping center, and I got a call from my future mother agent, before I left the mall. From then on, everything went crazy ! IMG contract, Asian trips etc.My parents were very supportive from the beginning, but what they always say is “It was your idea.. Your dreams” so when it comes to decisions they were letting me decide. They are proud now !

PONY RYDER: Tell us something about your hometown. What school do you go to? Are you a now a big name in your country, outside the fashion world?
JAC: I live in a city of less than 10,000 residents and I go to one of the two junior high schools in here. As u can see, it’s one of those places where everybody knows you since you were a child.. To my surprise, not much has changed ! It is still a place where I want to come back after all the craziness related to fashion world.
I have done some interviews with Polish magazines but I’m trying to avoid publicity.

PONY RYDER: What was your first modeling job?
JAC: Hermes campaign!

PONY RYDER: Your agency, IMG, has done a fantastic job developing you and guiding you with your career! Do you think that the path to your success has been short, or do you think it took longer than you expected?

JAC: Yes, I’m IMG’s child, and yes, I think they have done an amazzzzing job. I’m saying “child” because since I was 13 they were directing my career and they knew well what to do, to be in the place where I am right now. I still remember one of the talks we had in the agency last year when they said “we will do some small steps for next 2 years so you can get more experience” … sounds funny now.. when I had already attained so much.
PONY RYDER: You just had a sensational season, among other things you opened 5 coveted shows in Milan, walked for major fashion houses. Your schedule is the busiest in the industry. How did you prepare for this season?

JAC: I didn’t prepare beside some vitamins I was taking everyday, not to get sick. I think the fact that I was doing so well gave me so much energy ! When you hear so many compliments and get the best shows you can not feel tired. Also I did only NY and Milan fashion shows so I had a break before going on runways again.

PONY RYDER: What’s your favorite thing about fashion weeks?

JAC: My favorite thing about the shows are the people I work for and all those inspiring designers, amazing models etc.
PONY RYDER: What was your favorite shoot? Have you been to any exotic locations?

JAC: Best location ever was Malaysia ! I shot Jalouse there, and I took my mom to this amazing resort and we just enjoyed a week in this exotic place with private beach far away from any big city. Every shoot gives me new experience and it’s always fun to transform to some character.
PONY RYDER: How do you deal with photoshoots and shows that can be physically demanding?
JAC: Last months were a bit crazy. I was one week home, next flew somewhere and again and again.. I’m surprised I’m still keeping it all together, catching up in school and still having time to do, for example, this interview ! But yes.. Family support, organized managers + some relax and tea (!) to keep me going.

PONY RYDER: You seem to be great friends with the gorgeous Frida Gustavsson. How did you 2 meet?

JAC: We were working once together in Japan ! One year ago.. After we met at one of the shows we found out that we are both IMG’s children and spent some time talking and having fun backstage. She has a great sense of humor and she’s one of those people who is friends with everybody.