FROM THE USSR TO NEW YORK CITY. THE STORY OF AN ARMENIAN MODEL
ARMENPRESS
18 July, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS: Statistics floating around out there
claim that most Americans change jobs an average of 13 times during
their lifetime. Marianna Postma, a model in New York City, hasn't
quite reached 13 careers, but she's getting close, proving herself
to be quite a multifaceted Armenian woman, reports Armenpress citing
The Armenian Weekly. Born in Szombathely, Hungary, Postma was born to
Armenian and Russian parents. She didn't stay in Hungary for long. 'I
lived in many places while I was growing up, a fortunate thing for me.
I got to see the world, places like Baku, Kazakhstan, Kiev, Moscow,
Saint Petersburg, and Samara City on the Volga River,' she explains.
Beginning her eclectic collection of interests, Postma was educated
at the International University of Moscow and majored in business
management. While she celebrated success working on a national
tourism project in Russia, Postma also enrolled in school to become
a hair stylist. This seemingly unrelated ambition is part of her
chameleon-like persona, easily moving from field to field with ease.
What sparked her interest in modeling was the influence of her mother,
who worked as a manager in department stores like Sears and Macy's.
'My mother tells me that I started thinking about the possibility
of modeling when I was 17. Since then it is something I've always
dreamed of doing,' she says. Before she began to pursue that goal,
she gave acting a try with the help of her sister. Postma appeared
in five plays in local theatres while she was still in Russia. What
really got the ball rolling on her modeling career was her move to
New York City in 2006. 'I entered the famous MAAI modeling competition
in the fashion district,' she recounts. 'It was my love of beauty and
fashion that led me to make modeling a full-time career.' Of her varied
experiences as a professional model, Postma has had the opportunity
to work with such coveted brands as Lancôme, L'Oreal, and Redken, and
even walks the semi-annual New York Fashion Week runway shows yearly.
It's clear she also enjoys the traveling her career requires, having
recently taken trips to both Miami, Fla., and Denver, Colo. Aside from
the fun and thrill of her work, Postma takes her position seriously,
and readily explains that her heritage affected her success. 'The
hardships and terrible losses the Armenian people have endured and
suffered have made me a more determined woman,' she says. 'I have
been inspired by the Armenian people; their example has given me the
drive to succeed, to do well, and to make a contribution to society. I
want the people of Armenia to be proud of me.' On a less serious note,
Postma admits that her heritage has given her a useful gift in terms
of modeling-that is, olive skin. "My rather dark skin coloring has
been a distinct advantage for me in multi-cultural New York City,"
she explains. Currently Postma is playing around with some investments
in the stock market. "I would never have believed it possible a few
years ago!' she admits. Her love of travel is also an ever-present
hobby; she hopes to add to the already extensive list of nations she
has been to. With a love for opera and Broadway, Postma might also
try her hand at acting again. For now, though, she is rather content
with where her modeling career has brought her. 'I guess modeling
has just come rather naturally to me.'
ARMENPRESS
18 July, 2012
YEREVAN
YEREVAN, JULY 18, ARMENPRESS: Statistics floating around out there
claim that most Americans change jobs an average of 13 times during
their lifetime. Marianna Postma, a model in New York City, hasn't
quite reached 13 careers, but she's getting close, proving herself
to be quite a multifaceted Armenian woman, reports Armenpress citing
The Armenian Weekly. Born in Szombathely, Hungary, Postma was born to
Armenian and Russian parents. She didn't stay in Hungary for long. 'I
lived in many places while I was growing up, a fortunate thing for me.
I got to see the world, places like Baku, Kazakhstan, Kiev, Moscow,
Saint Petersburg, and Samara City on the Volga River,' she explains.
Beginning her eclectic collection of interests, Postma was educated
at the International University of Moscow and majored in business
management. While she celebrated success working on a national
tourism project in Russia, Postma also enrolled in school to become
a hair stylist. This seemingly unrelated ambition is part of her
chameleon-like persona, easily moving from field to field with ease.
What sparked her interest in modeling was the influence of her mother,
who worked as a manager in department stores like Sears and Macy's.
'My mother tells me that I started thinking about the possibility
of modeling when I was 17. Since then it is something I've always
dreamed of doing,' she says. Before she began to pursue that goal,
she gave acting a try with the help of her sister. Postma appeared
in five plays in local theatres while she was still in Russia. What
really got the ball rolling on her modeling career was her move to
New York City in 2006. 'I entered the famous MAAI modeling competition
in the fashion district,' she recounts. 'It was my love of beauty and
fashion that led me to make modeling a full-time career.' Of her varied
experiences as a professional model, Postma has had the opportunity
to work with such coveted brands as Lancôme, L'Oreal, and Redken, and
even walks the semi-annual New York Fashion Week runway shows yearly.
It's clear she also enjoys the traveling her career requires, having
recently taken trips to both Miami, Fla., and Denver, Colo. Aside from
the fun and thrill of her work, Postma takes her position seriously,
and readily explains that her heritage affected her success. 'The
hardships and terrible losses the Armenian people have endured and
suffered have made me a more determined woman,' she says. 'I have
been inspired by the Armenian people; their example has given me the
drive to succeed, to do well, and to make a contribution to society. I
want the people of Armenia to be proud of me.' On a less serious note,
Postma admits that her heritage has given her a useful gift in terms
of modeling-that is, olive skin. "My rather dark skin coloring has
been a distinct advantage for me in multi-cultural New York City,"
she explains. Currently Postma is playing around with some investments
in the stock market. "I would never have believed it possible a few
years ago!' she admits. Her love of travel is also an ever-present
hobby; she hopes to add to the already extensive list of nations she
has been to. With a love for opera and Broadway, Postma might also
try her hand at acting again. For now, though, she is rather content
with where her modeling career has brought her. 'I guess modeling
has just come rather naturally to me.'