Pillow Talk with Top Model Sarina Arnold

Joanna Peyer for Pillow & Pepper: Sarina, you've been modelling for 20 years now. Do you remember your first photo shoot?

Sarina Arnold: My first shooting took place in Hamburg for the German glossy “Brigitte Young Miss” when I was just 16 years old. Shortly after that I had a photo shooting for “Donna,” an Italian magazine. I have very fond memories of it. In those days photo shoots used to be a lot more relaxed.

What does a model's workday look like today?

Sarina Arnold: The time and budget pressure has increased. A lot more work is squeezed into tighter schedules. In the old days after an early-morning photo shoot in Jamaica for example, there would be a long break on account of the light situation, from 11:00am until far into the afternoon, followed by a few more pictures in the later afternoon sun, and this is certainly a thing of the past.

What has been the most formative experience in your life so far?

Sarina Arnold: Coming to New York as a young girl without knowing a word of English. New York City seemed huge to me, frantic and anonymous. Mind you, I grew up in a Swiss hamlet called Attinghausen with a population of about 1,500. Hence, in New York I was pretty homesick for my family and friends. But I learned to get by. Another formative experience was the birth of my daughter Felice and accepting her birth defect. [Editor's note: Felice was born with a cleft lip and palate.]

What is the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?

Sarina Arnold: Keep both your feet on the ground, and be yourself! That's what my family and friends have told me at the beginning of my career.

Besides being a model and a mom, you've also been a jewellery designer for some years now. Why jewellery?

Sarina Arnold: Every girl loves jewellery, right? I had a hard time finding pieces I really liked since I always have a very clear idea of what they should look like. I had been thinking of designing my own jewellery for a long time. Most of all, I wanted to create jewellery that my daughter and I could both wear. In 2012 I finally made up my mind and set up Jewels for You.

You draft the designs for your jewellery yourself. What inspires your drawings?

Sarina Arnold: Most of all nature itself. I find inspiration when I travel, but also in everyday life. My best ideas come right before I fall asleep.

For professional reasons you travel a lot. What is your favourite destination?

Sarina Arnold: I love Italy, especially Tuscany with its many warm-hearted people and its fine cuisine.

Do you have a favourite hotel?

Sarina Arnold: The Locanda al Colle in Northern Tuscany, an elegant guest house with lots of charm and a personal touch. I love the open kitchen. You can go there any time of day to get yourself a cup of tea. In the kitchen there'll always be some freshly baked delicacy and heavenly small treats to taste. Guests are not charged for these small delights. Riccardo Barsottelli is a very genial host. I already stayed four times at the Locanda al Colle with my family.

How did you discover the Locanda al Colle?

Actually, my husband Raphael did! He is the one in our family who does the research and goes on the internet to find exceptional locations for us.

Is there something you'd never travel without?

Sarina Arnold: Travel-size Louis Widmer cosmetics, my mobile phone, and credit cards. Everything else you could buy on location. (laughs)