Desislava Pancheva

I dont know how to define myself, when people are asking me what I do for leaving, in generally they already have an answer – You are a model right? My story it’s a bit longer so I prefer just to agree somethimes without explaning much. Born and raised in Pleven, Bulgaria in a family of a pharmacist, decide to took a different course and do an artistic shool.

Went on stage for the first time at the age of 14. My aunt from mothers’ side is one of the most famous designers in Bulgaria. She convinced me that I had to hit the ramp for her show. After that, I was invited by a famous art photographer to do a test shoot, catalogue and calendar, for a local brand. Guess I have always been fascinated by the stage and that exciting feeling, the lights, the magic, that sweet pain in the stomach before you go out on stage. Since a kid, I was a creative child, loved art and all shapes of it. So for me “the world of fashion” was just another shape to express myself. This is how my hobby as a model started.

At the age of 19, I applied for Design school in Italy Milan, the capital of fashion. Got accepted and moved to Milan to study Industrial Design at Politecnico Di Milan. Shortly I was spotted on the street by a local modelling agency who invited me for a cast/interview at their office. It was a good way to help my self during my studies and to get to know the fashion industry from the “kitchen”. For me fashion is an art form – art as opposite of fine art, but what’s the distinction? Same amount of artictic expression goes into clothes, a piece of poetry, music, writhing or a painting. Beeing a model it’s a shape of art! Way to express yourself. It’s all about being a part of the creation of art – about the beauty. Expressing your self and beeng true to who you are.I love beeing a part of something larger that makes difference and to be able to transmit the message. Everyday it’s a different and I get to interact with different people, it means im always learning. Fashion is a world of perpetual opportunities. Contacts are there to be made for those who seek them out.

After my graduation at age of 25 by chance I was with my friend’s at one of the biggest modeling agency’s in Milan – Major Models, I was noticed by the booker of the male department and they invited me to join them. One week after that, I participate on a casting for world wide campagn, tvc and calendar for the beer Perony Nastro Azzurro. It went well for me I was one of the 5 girls on the calendar, and that eventually broth me to South Afrika. The campaign was launched for the first time in Johannesburg 2007. 

I was striked from the magic of the country and the people stright away. After a couple of months I decided to go to Cape Town and stay for the season. It was amazing experience didnt know that it will take me 8 years to come back. From Cape Town returned to Milan, where I started to work as an intern in one of the biggest Houte Couture brand’s of Italy – Mila Schon. Between style office and commercial department, when I was traveling I was doing cool hunting for the office.

The fashion world isn’t exactly known for playing nice. Industry insiders are constantly the source of gossip and snobbery. I think in the 90s, the fashion industry was smaller and there source of gossip and snobbery. I think in the 90s, the fashion industry was smaller and there were more true artists, the designers owned their businesses. Now people are doing one thing for their image and something else to make money, then the whole industry became more impure. The age of marketing. You package something by hiding the truth of what it is. Started working as an sales managuer aassistant in the showroom during the sales campagn and a consultant for almost seven years of my life. Till one day in 2013 I decided that I had enough. It was hard decision to quit a job and the people with who you were workin and go back to a hobby that it doesan’t guarantee enough amount to live well. Didnt wanted to work for living and living for work. Since I was a kid dreamed to visit India, got offered a modeling contract for six months in New Delhi and I took the opportunity. 

Living in India its a big chalenge, people say India its like Marmite, you are either going to love it or hate it. But it will be more accurate to describe it as a Masala curry, Its bright and vibrant country with an electrical mix of different cultures and people. Have learned lots of important lessons that have changed my character and helped me to grow up spiritually. Its not easy to except people and balance. Accepting people does not mean agreeing with them, waiving your oun rights. You can still take appropriate actions to protect or support yourself of others. You can simply let people be.

Specially if  you are  traveling model and you living in a model apartment. Modeling it’s not a constant profession because as much it gives you, it can take a lot at the same time. A great opportunity to travel, meet people, be a part and protagonist of amazing projects and ideas…at the end all that glitters is not gold. After 3 years in India, I returened in Milan again.
In 2017 Decided to return to SA, since then it has been my second home for the winter and Milan for the spring and summer, eventually I returned in to sales in the showroom where im till now.