Stefanie Giesinger (29) is one of the few "Germany's next Topmodel" winners who have left the casting show label behind. Since her victory in the ninth season in 2014, she has evolved from a teenager from Kaiserslautern into one of Germany's most well-known models and influencers. She was just announced as L'Oréal Professionnel's first local brand ambassador for Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
The 29-year-old has long since stood for more than just runways, campaigns and social media, but also for self-determination, adaptability and an open approach to topics that were often excluded in the beauty and fashion world for a long time.
Authenticity Instead of Perfection
On Instagram, she became a style icon for a generation, with almost five million fans following her there. Giesinger presents herself professionally, but not in a polished way: sometimes as a model, sometimes as an entrepreneur, sometimes as a woman who speaks openly about insecurities, body image, mental health or personal changes. Perfect surfaces alone apparently interest her very little. "I can't relate to anything that looks too 'perfect for social media'", Giesinger said recently in an interview. It's precisely this combination that makes her interesting to brands.
Her new job for the salon brand L'Oréal Professionnel seems like a natural fit. Hair has been more than an accessory for Giesinger for years. Image changes, cuts, colors and styling are part of her public presentation. She doesn't view fashion merely as something superficial either. "I find it exciting when clothing tells something about attitude, mood or identity and doesn't just look good", she explained on the sidelines of a fashion show in Cannes.
Her Own Topics, Her Own Platform
However, Giesinger doesn't just use her reach for campaigns, but also for more personal topics. In her podcast "G Spot", she talks with guests about feminism, mental health, intimacy, business, fashion and love. The tone is open, sometimes direct and deliberately more taboo-free than classic celebrity interviews. With this, she has created an environment where she is not just the subject of coverage, but asks questions herself, leads debates and maintains control over her public role.
Her own story always plays a part in this. Giesinger was born in Kaiserslautern in 1996; her parents came to Germany from Siberia as ethnic German Russians. Early on, she also spoke about health challenges. These biographical details have shaped her public image: the TV face became someone who doesn't completely hide vulnerability behind the glamour. It's precisely this that distinguishes her from many classic modeling careers, which for a long time were primarily based on perfection and distance.
"Modeling Will Always Remain a Part of Me"
Nevertheless, Giesinger has never shed her roots in the modeling business. "Modeling was my entry into this industry and significantly shaped my perspective on aesthetics, communication and presence", she said. "I believe that will always remain a part of me, even though today I occupy many more roles simultaneously." At the same time, her view of the runway has changed. "In the past, there was a lot of pressure associated with it for me. Today I experience it more consciously and with more calm than a few years ago."
Her career shows how much modeling work has changed: In the past, a good photo was enough; today it requires reach, attitude, recognizability and the ability to tell your own story yourself. That's exactly where Giesinger's strength lies.
