Life & Work with Annika Bergsten

Today we’d like to introduce you to Annika Bergsten.

Annika, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started modeling when I was 14 years old. My older brother’s classmate, Rebecca Lux went to Johnson County Community College for the fashion design program. For their semester, final fashion show, they had to create their own line of clothing and find their own models to participate in. I have always been told my whole life that I should model, so Rebecca asked me to model for her. I was terrified!

I had no prior modeling experience, but I showed up, got my hair and my makeup done, and walked into the show. I loved every second of it, and it felt so natural to be up there on the runway. I heard about Kansas City Fashion Week through some really kind models at the JCCC fashion show, so I went to the next auditions that were being held for it. I remember not hearing back from KCFW for a really long time and being really upset that I was not accepted onto the model roster. I felt so defeated. I have always struggled to find an activity that I was good at and that I was actually passionate about. When I had finally heard back from KCFW and that I had been accepted onto the roster, I was ecstatic.

After my first KCFW show, I made a ton of connections with photographers and other models, and I started going to different photoshoots and runway shows to build my portfolio. Now, I am 19 years old and I have walked in 9 KCFW and have done countless other runway shows and photoshoots! I have even been featured in British Vogue wearing Hannah Kristina Designs and photographed by Nikkie Affholter!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
My journey has definitely not been smooth. I went to a small high school in a small town, so when I first started modeling people were really unsure how to feel about it. My close friends were really supportive, but there were a lot of other students who called me a “fake” and “wannabe model” even though I was already doing photoshoots and fashion shows.

There was even an Instagram page that made fun of students at my high school, and there were a lot of posts about me being a terrible model, how I was not going to be successful, and how my face wasn’t pretty enough and my teeth were too big. My parents were also very hesitant to allow me to model knowing how the modeling industry can be. They would often refuse to bring me to photoshoots and fashion shows because they didn’t want me to participate. I would sneak out and hitch rides with friends all the way to Kansas City to shows and shoots in order to continue doing what I loved! My parents are still to this day very unsure about me continuing my modeling career, but I know they are very proud when I show them my pictures.

I remember bringing home a copy of British Vogue after I was published in it, and they were so proud! They bought multiple copies to show their friends and send to family members. I don’t blame them for worrying about me and wanting me to be safe, because the modeling industry can be very toxic and damaging to young models, and I thank them for trying to keep me safe and sound.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently attending my sophomore year at the University of Kansas! I am majoring in International Business in hopes that I can enter a job field in the fashion industry, such as Fashion Marketing. I really want to be able to travel with my future career, and I hope I’ll be able to work in my mother’s home country, China.  I have visited China with her several times and I am fluent in Mandarin, and I absolutely love traveling there and experiencing the unique culture.

I have also traveled to many other places all over the country, including New York City, which I am still very much in love with. My father’s family is from Sweden and I hope I can also travel there with my future career and be able to see family and experience what that country and culture have to offer. I keep myself busy with school and my waitressing job at 23rd Street Brewery, which I also love. I have met many new and supportive friends since moving to Lawrence for college and I couldn’t be more thankful for having the opportunity to have such a supportive and kind environment around me.

I am most proud of my feature in British Vogue, wearing Hannah Kristina Designs, and photographed by Nikkie Affholter. The feature was actually extremely unexpected. I woke up to a tag on Facebook from Hannah, who had announced that she, Nikkie, and I had been featured. Although it is a really small feature, it was my happiest moment. I thought about all the trouble and backlash I had been through and how it didn’t matter because I was in a Vogue Magazine! It was an even bigger deal to me because I was not affiliated with an agency and I am still not, and it can be very difficult to be featured in bigger magazines without having an agent or affiliate.

I know I am different than others because of my passion for modeling. As I mentioned before, I have always struggled with finding activities, sports, and hobbies that I was good and passionate about. Once I accidentally stepped foot into the modeling industry, I knew this is where I needed to be and where I belonged. It came extremely naturally to me, even though I’m sure my very first runway walk probably looked atrocious compared to my walk now. I make sure to practice my walk and camera skills very often at home and with shows and shoots so I can further improve myself.

I am also currently communicating with several modeling agencies in New York City about getting signed so that I can further my career traveling to NYC often to do better work!

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I’ve learned along the way is to don’t stop trying! I was so convinced by the community around me that modeling was too ambitious and not fit for me. I did it anyway and I have never been happier. If I had listened to the negative words being said to me and about me, I would have no idea what I would be doing now or going to college for.

Keep doing the things that you are passionate about, even if you might be bad at it because it will always lead to happiness.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: annikabergstennn

Image Credits
Emily Steele for the main photo, Hair and Make up by Mikayla Crane with White Carpet Ready, Joe Zlatnik, Jason Atherton, Colby C. Butler, Hannah Swanson, Nikkie Affholter, Ashley Wessing, Brooklyn Klahr, and Eve Basinski