Summer is here. Which means one thing. Blockbuster movies.
Whether it is alien robots, Amazon warrior women or whatever you fancy, 2017 is set to be one of the biggest summers in Hollywood history.
You have Michael Bay helming—likely his final Transformers—movie alongside Mark Wahlberg, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Laura Haddock in Transformers: The Last Knight, Gal Gadot dazzling audiences with her combination of beauty, strength and feminine power in Wonder Woman or Chris Pratt leading a ragtag bunch of heroes in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, there is something for everyone.
You want to relieve your pubescent teenage years again, when you had posters of Pam Anderson and Yasmine Bleeth in that legendary red swimsuit? You got Baywatch with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Zach Efron and Priyanka Chopra to help you out.
You in the mood for another Tom Cruise summer action flick filled with dead mummies and hot breakout actresses such as Sofia Boutella in The Mummy? Or perhaps THE biggest movie of the summer in Tom Holland learning what it takes to be a superhero in being mentored by Marvel’s uber-snarky Tony Stark’s Iron Man in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
One person who has been in and around the Hollywood scene is Klara Landrat.
Born in the Polish capital of Warsaw, raised in New York City and living between her adopted hometown, Los Angeles, Hong Kong and Tel Aviv, the 32-year-old Landrat’s movie credits include Zoolander, The Soul Collector and Fateful Findings, theater credits such as Babylon is Everywhere, After The Rain and TV roles in her native Poland in shows such as Lady Punk Dobra Konstelacja and Sand Creature.
As a model, Landrat has appeared in magazines such as Gisele Magazine, Model Venture, Elle France and Fader.
Strikingly gorgeous at a tall and slender 5’8, the blond-haired, green-eyed beauty is an alum of New York’s Hunter College, and is fluent in English, French, Hebrew, Italian, her native Polish and Russian.
Outside of acting and modeling, Klara is also a fashion designer of her own accessories brand, Rubbzz, which offers a selection of bracelets, necklaces, bags and clutches in defined by it’s unique Chanel-Adidas like three metal link trademark design.
Thanks to celebrities such as Karen T. Sierra of Real Housewives of Miami, former Celebrity Big Brother alum and glamour model Casey Batchelor, television personality James Tinsdale and UK-based bar and restaurateur Wayne Lineker have helped Rubbzz be featured in notable publications such as COSMO, DN Magazine, Seventeen, HEAT, Women’s Health and Misha. With a new drama directed by Erik Blanc titled Chronologia Huma starring a pre-domiantly French cast featuring Mikael Buxton, Ana Ayora, Helen Martinelli, 2017 looks to be a promising year for Landrat.
Below is my Q and A with Klara as we talk Hollywood, issues such as equal pay and racism in Hollywood, her designer brand, actors and actresses to watch for in 2017, and the lack of creativity in Hollywood these days.
Name: Klara Landrat
Age: 32
Height: 5’8
Birthplace: Warsaw, Poland. Raised in New York.
Measurements: 34-25-34
Modeling Agency: Currently changing agencies.
Social Media Links: Instagram: @klaralandrat | Facebook: The Klara Landrat Official | Twitter: @theklaralandrat | YouTube: Klara Landrat | Website: www.rubbzz.com
Robert D. Cobb: What kind of model do you consider yourself? (lnstagram, pin-up/glamour, fashion)
Klara Landrat: “Commercial Print and fashion.”
Robert D. Cobb: What brands have you modeled for? Which one do you enjoy modeling for the most?
Klara Landrat: “Nike, Patrizia Pepe, Nico & Adrian, Adrian Alicea, Fiorucci, Guess, etc.”
Robert D. Cobb: Where has been your favorite place to shoot?
Klara Landrat: “Cambodia on the islands”
Robert D. Cobb: What is the most exciting aspect of modeling?
Klara Landrat: “Travel”
Robert D. Cobb: Fave photographer?
Klara Landrat: “Camilla Akrans, Ellen Von Unwerth, Miles Aldridge, Mario Sorrenti, David La Chapelle.”
Robert D. Cobb: What is your opinion on the growth and popularity of glamour and boudoir modeling?
Klara Landrat: “I think as the modeling market being more open to all shapes and sizes I see it as a positive shift in the mindset of the industry. I would say boudoir style has always been around propagated by such photographers as Helmut Newton and Ellen Von Unwerth but now it has reached its own place, its own status.
I don’t see anything wrong with having more variety in a broad spectrum sense of the word. Why should we be confined to seeing only high fashion magazines with super young and super thin models. This is not how it is in the real world!”
Robert D. Cobb: As the owner of Rubbzz, tell us about it and the brand?
Klara Landrat: “We have started the brand back in 2011 in New York with the design of our “three metal link” bracelet which became a great international success worn by such celebrities as Miss USA Mia Sanchez, Anna Lynn MacCord, Rochelle Wood, Karen T. Sierra and Wayne Lineker.
Our fashion accessories line is comprised of bracelets, necklaces, bags, clutches and now expanding to Red Carpet limited edition collection adorned with Swarovski crystals. We also have swimwear and sportswear in plans.”
Robert D. Cobb: What new fashion styles should we be on the lookout for?
Klara Landrat: “I see more and more mixing of different materials such as leather and fur and Pvc with fabric and leather. as well as punk rock and leggings are having their big come back. It seems that the accumulation of all the trends this year open a new door to creativity.
Fashion has become a very personal thing – it’s no longer about one trend but rather how creative you can be with the choices. It’s more fun and more intuitive way of wearing clothes.”
Robert D. Cobb: With summer now here, what fashion and style tips and trends do you have for looking good when the temperature rises?
Klara Landrat: “Comfort is my second name. You won’t see me in high heels during daytime. I love trendy sneakers and sports wear that I pair with a cool bag and sunglasses. Also, I love summer dresses that I can wear with flats to go to meetings or do errands.”
Robert D. Cobb: Within the industry, who is your inspiration?
Klara Landrat: “Norma Kamali, Diane Von Furstenberg, Christine Brinkley.”
Robert D. Cobb: What is your secret to staying in shape?
Klara Landrat: “I run almost every day around 5 km and I do lots of TRX and some weights. Also I stay away from sugar.”
Robert D. Cobb: As a model, what are your thoughts on the shift towards “body positivist” and more curvier models?
Klara Landrat: “As a model myself, I love the change in the fashion industry. I remember years ago in Milan despite my waify look, agents demanded I would loose more weight. I though it was abusive and demeaning. I couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t want me to stay healthy.
I couldn’t grasp the idea of starving myself especially in a country like Italy famous for its abundance in culinary arts. Nowadays I see more curvier models and advertising companies using “life size” women and I think that has tremendous impact on the young generation of women. Bulimia and anorexia, depression and low self esteem should seize and with that we can see the change.”
Robert D. Cobb: Outside of modeling, what are your hobbies?
Klara Landrat: “My other career is acting, but apart form that I love photography and have been shooting regularly for many magazines.”
Robert D. Cobb: Favorite actor?
Klara Landrat: “Adrien Brody”
Robert D. Cobb: Favorite actress?
Klara Landrat: “Kate Winslet”
Robert D. Cobb: Fave model?
Klara Landrat: “Ah! Here we are again! Christie Brinkley, Paulina Porizkova.”
Robert D. Cobb: What is your opinion of all of the remakes, sequels, prequels and general lack of imagination in Hollywood these days?
Klara Landrat: “Apart from really very few movies I completely agree, there is rather redundant array of movies on the similar subjects. I do hope with a few great talents on the rise this could change. It seems Hollywood lacks good scripts. We need more great screenwriters, better stories. I feel Hollywood has gotten into a bubble of comfort and politics and that’s bad.
Film making is about talent, period. I hate to see a movie winning at the Academy Awards with poor script and mediocre story line just because it’s “in” that year.”
Robert D. Cobb: Who is the one director you’d love to work with?
Klara Landrat: “Very difficult question. Hard to pick just one : David Lynch, Terrence Malick, Roman Polanski. The list is long:)”
Robert D. Cobb: Up and coming actor and actress we should all keep an eye out for in 2017?
Klara Landrat: “Talitha Bateman, Ezra Miller, Brit Marling, Tessa Thompson, Ophelia Lovibond, Gal Gadot, Millie Bobbie Brown, Shiloh Nelson.”
Robert D. Cobb: Thoughts on the perceived sexism and racism in Hollywood at the Academy Awards and pay for actresses?
Klara Landrat: “Absolutely disgusting! How did we get there when not only as women we have to face humiliation during casting but more often when our wages are downgraded. Racism is another issue that must be condemned officially! I feel a lot of people sit in a comfort zone and do nothing about it, hence there is no change!
I do wish to see more multi-racial actors and actresses out there with more significant roles to offer. I believe since there is more awareness we can hope for gradual change. We can see it in the fashion industry and I have a strong conviction it will follow into the movie industry.”
Sports question: Who are your favorite teams and clubs?
Klara Landrat: “NY Mets, LA Lakers.”
Robert D. Cobb: What are your favorite cities to travel to?
Klara Landrat: “Paris, Tel Aviv, London.”
Robert D. Cobb: What advice would you give to women aspiring to get into modeling?
Klara Landrat: “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going” – Beverly Sills. Keep doing it, believe in yourself, be kind, don’t take no for an answer.”
Special thanks Ms. Klara Landrat for her time and assistance during the Q and A interview process. All images are used with permission and are the rightful property of their respective owners.