photo: Lily & Lilac (Lily & Lilac)

Featured Model

Liis Windischmann

Agency  Ben Barry

Hometown  Toronto

Background  Irish / Hungarian

Modelling Since  1993

Height  5'10½" (179 cm)

Hair  Brown

Eyes  Blue

Discovered  I actually did two shoots before I became a professional model at 23. As a teenager, I worked as a receptionist at a large fashion studio for the summer. One day a model didn't show up so my very first "job" was on a treadmill fake jogging with my head cut off. Next I did one shot for my boss in a catalogue she was producing and posed like a doe in headlights. My teenage modelling career died there. Years later - as a size 14 - while walking through the Eaton Centre, I was stopped by a scout who suggested plus-size modelling. Back then it wasn't very common so I thought she was trying to pull a scam!

Best Modelling Moment  I have two particular moments which really stand out in my mind:

Going into a bookstore and seeing myself on the cover of one magazine and having editorials in two others right beside it. I grinned as I bought about 20 magazines and the clerk thought I was nuts.

A client I had worked with for years told me she always slotted me at the end of their really long 1-2 week shoots. Puzzled, I asked why. She told me I brought fun and calm to the set and never brought drama. They wanted to wrap up everything on a stress- free, high note. I was honoured beyond belief.

Awkward Modelling Moment  Where do I start? Sitting in camel and horse dung for a shot in Tunisia is up there. (I think they had to throw out the shorts) Having big holes cut out of the backs of shirts and in the behind of pants and having to model in public areas while flashing everyone (pick a city and it's happened). Having my stiletto get stuck in a groove while carrying a newborn baby on stage! (The entire audience was staring at me wondering what I was going to do - I almost left the shoe behind) Getting searched and delayed several times at the Chicago airport on my way to bookings because they had me pegged as a drug smuggler for a St. Louis drug ring due to my frequent model travel!

Favourite Market  There are aspects of all cities I've lived in for work that I love... Chicago always had such creative fashion events every week. Miami had shoots on every corner and brought my friends together from all over the world and the castings used to be insane - 300+ models - but when you landed a booking from one it was super sweet. New York always has my heart - so much to do and one can never get bored. Any booking in Europe is always tons of fun!

Favourite Model  Carmen Dell'Orefice and Linda Evangelista for print - such elegance and energy in every photo. Yasmeen Ghauri and Iman on the runway - each had such unique walks - I miss the individuality of walks on the runway.

Most embarrassing song on your iPod  Forget the songs... my 2nd generation iPod is so old it weighs 5 lbs. I just tell everyone I was cool before my time.

Now represented exclusively by the Ben Barry Agency