With an effortlessly edgy and laid-back style and personality, Anna Ko is a breathtaking model and social media extraordinaire. Not only does she work as a social media manager for the amazing talented jewelry designer Ellia Wang (check out her feature in the Style section!), but also her personal Instagram is nothing short of inspiring. Check out my exclusive interview with Anna to learn more about her style and career experiences.
Hometown: Clearwater, FL
Year: Senior
Major: Advertising
Describe your personal style: Loose, relaxed and layered
How did you first get into modeling? I saw it as stop-motion performance art mixed with a flare of shamanism so I had to give it a try. It just seemed like a safe way to explore distancing the self to get to a more honest space for personal observation and universal communication.
Describe your overall experiences with modeling: I became more confident with exposing my natural self. Kind of like the whole humility for humanity type of deal. I’m always interested in getting into projects that will not necessarily glam me up and make me pretty but reveal something raw and not as crafted for society. I find it quite liberating.
What does being a social media manager entail/is there anything people would be surprised to know you do? The biggest thing is to know what you’re trying to say, whom you’re talking to and how you say it. Ever since I realized that there were so many different mediums yet they shared a common process, I began to work non-stop because not only am I curious but also I’m extremely selfish and want to experience things for myself.
If you had to choose between modeling and social media managing, which would you choose? I’m actually taking a break from social media managing and fine tuning my craft by writing reviews for a fashion magazine called Deux Hommes and starting up a blog with Ellia Wang. I wouldn’t necessarily choose between the two, they both gift me beneficial insights in their own way.
Your personal Instagram is amazing! How do you maintain a certain aesthetic throughout your posts? Ha, I don’t—and I sometimes critique myself whenever I look at my page. The only thing cohesive about it is that it was respectful to the moment I felt like sharing an image or thought.
If you could shadow a person for a day, who would it be? As narcissistic this may sound, it would be me so that I would have the opportunity to distance myself enough to observe something that I might’ve “normally” overlooked.
Where do you see yourself in five years? Anywhere that will host an open space for me to rethink, imagine and create a simpler connection within the world.
Any advice for someone aspiring to work in social media or modeling?
Lose the idea of self to gain a clearer understanding of the self.
Check out Anna on Instagram @macannacheese