“Just be yourself” could be one of the most overused clichés in the world. Yet, actually being yourself can be remarkably difficult—not only because defining who we are is challenging, but because countless external factors shape our daily choices and perceptions. Ultimately, it leaves us wondering: Is this truly who I am, or have I simply been molded by the world around me?
In this exclusive interview for perlarico.com, model and entrepreneur Anaria Karagkiozi confronts these exact questions. Join us as she opens up about identity, her rising modeling career, and the launch of her new personal brand.
1. Thank you for joining us Anaria, tell us, who is Anaria Karagkiozi?
Anaria: I’m Anaria Karagkiozi and I’m from Skydra, Greece. I’m an energetic and happy person, and right now I’m focused on two things I love: modeling and my own brand, VELTÒRAN.
2. When did you first become interested in modeling?
Anaria: My interest in modeling became stronger when I was 16. Modeling makes me feel confident, proud of myself, and more connected with who I am.
3. What type of modeling interests you most?
Anaria: I’m especially interested in runway modeling and photoshoots. I want to explore different sides of modeling and keep developing my skills.
4. Have you already gained experience in front of the camera?
Anaria: Yes. I’ve done several photoshoots and I have created a portfolio. I’ve also had collaborations with people in the creative industry, and the experiences have been excellent. I want to continue gaining experience and improving.
5. Have you ever walked on a runway?
Anaria: Not yet, but it’s something I’m really looking forward to. I’m planning to do my first runway in October, and I’m very excited about experiencing it.
6. Congratulations and best of luck! Regarding that topic, what do you think makes you stand out?
Anaria: I don’t want to completely look like someone else. I have my own features, including my birthmarks, a small gap between my teeth, and my naturally brownish-red hair. I believe these are part of what makes my appearance unique.
7. Most certainly, how would you describe your personal style?
Anaria: It depends on the occasion. Normally, I would describe it as… naturally crazy. I like having personality and I don’t want to limit myself to one particular style.
8. What does confidence mean to you?
Anaria: It means everything to me. For me, confidence means loving yourself and not needing everyone else’s approval to feel worthy.
9. Have you experienced difficult moments in your life?
Anaria: Yes. In the past, I experienced bullying from other children and there were moments when I felt like I wasn’t enough. Growing up without my father was also something that affected me. Today, I try not to let those experiences define who I am. I’ve learned that other people’s opinions should never determine your worth.
10. Did those experiences make you want to succeed even more?
Anaria: Yes. Even the jealousy and the people who made fun of me made me want to prove, first
of all to myself, what I can achieve. I never want to stop improving.
11. Have you ever thought about giving up?
Anaria: Yes, but I didn’t. And that is what matters to me. My goal is to keep going.
12. What is the biggest lesson you have learned so far?
Anaria: Never give up. I believe that if you keep trying and improving, eventually you can get where you want to be.
13. What is your biggest goal in modeling?
Anaria: To become the best model I can possibly be and to gain more recognition through my work. I want to become better and more experienced every time.
14. Would you like to work internationally?
Anaria: Yes, definitely. I would love to work abroad, especially in the United States one day. I know
I have to start somewhere, so I want to gain more experience in Greece first.
15. Is there a particular brand you dream of working with?
Anaria: I don’t have one specific brand in mind. I’m open to different collaborations and I would
love to experience different sides of the fashion industry.
16. You are also developing your own brand, VELTÒRAN. What does it mean to you?
Anaria: VELTÒRAN is my personal project and brand, which I want to develop alongside my modeling career. At the moment, modeling and VELTÒRAN are the two things I want to dedicate most of my time and energy to.
17. What would you say to a girl who dreams of becoming a model but is afraid to try?
Anaria: Try. If you genuinely work for it, I believe you have a very strong chance of achieving what you want. The most important thing is not to stop when you face your first difficulty.
18. How do you want people to remember you for?
Anaria: As “Anaria, the crazy one.” I want people to remember that I was myself and that I wasn’t afraid to have my own personality.
19. Is there anything you definitely want people to know about you?
Anaria: Yes. My full name is Aikaterini Anatoli Karagkiozi. Anaria Karagkiozi is the name I want people to know me by in my professional world, but I never want my real name to be forgotten.
20. Where do you see yourself in the future?
Anaria: I don’t know exactly where life will take me yet. What I do know, is that right now, I want to grow in modeling and develop VELTÒRAN. VELTÒRAN is my own modern jewelry brand, focused on fashionable, contemporary and stylish jewelry. I would like to offer pieces that help customers express their personality and feel confident in their style. Above all, I want every customer to be happy and satisfied with their purchase. Customer satisfaction is one of VELTÒRAN’s main priorities. I don’t want to put limits on myself. I want to discover how far I can go.
“I don’t want to stop improving. I want to become a little better every time.”
–Anaria Karagkiozi
Thank you Anaria for giving us a glimpse of your life, career and endeavors. You have a bright future ahead of you and we look forward seeing how you will bloom in the near future. Hopefully, we will get the chance to interview you again to see how much you have grown professionally into your modeling career and brand store, VELTÒRAN.
Please follow Anaria Karagkiozi on all of her social media outlets to discover her modeling journey, latest photos, projects and upcoming appearances over at Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
For modeling and media inquiries, e-mail itsanaria3@gmail.com.
