A YEAR TO REMEMBER
What would a New Year be without my traditional sit down talk to myself. I like to reflect on everything I did good, everything I did bad and see how I can become a better person, woman, sister, daughter and a friend. Every Year I also sit and talk to you guys, I did so in the years before, for 7 years in a row, so this is the eighth time I am recapping a year. If you wanted to check how much my style has evolved and where I came from you can see the other posts here: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and even 2011 . When I embarked on this journey 8 years ago I had no clue. I had no clue who I am or where I wanted to go. I was pretty limited with my business skills and I didn’t even graduate yet. I saw world with completely different eyes, and in a way this platform is so important for me, because It reminds me where I started from – and that my friends is a very important thing.
In todays world of superficial fame, likes, followers and things that are very virtual it is very important to stay grounded, to remember where you started from and to no matter what success or failure you go through keep reminding yourself or a person who without all the bling, or without a failure you really are. Money, likes, handbags or a diploma don’t make a person, but your deeds do, and that is something I want to keep underlining on this blog in 2019, as well as something I want to prove to myself.
But lets talk about the year 2018. The first thing that I think about is another cover I landed – this time for Grazia magazine. Besides that I also am on the cover of Original Magazine – magazine that is part of Novak Djokovic foundation. Two covers in 1 year really do make me think wow, what will 2019 bring? I had more than 30 print publications and one that I am particularly proud of would a 5 page editorial in Harpers Bazaar. There were also editorials for Hello, Story, Grazia, interview in Harpers Bazaar, mentions in Vogue – magazines I only dreamed about when I was younger. These PR moments are important to me, because I can share my message with an audience that isn’t just my audience. I can talk about things I think are really important like believing in yourself and following your dreams.
Just like last year this year I was named best dressed at Venice Film Festival, while walking the red carpet alongside celebrities I look up to such as Dakota Johnson, Tilda Swinton, Chloe Moretz, Naomi Watts, Cate Blanchet and many others. I also attended Cannes Film Festival, walked the red carpet together with amfAR, Green Carpet Awards and BAFTA red carpets. The way I feel and prepare for these events has really changed, and one thing I could never take for granted is the huge help I have from Kristina. 2018 was a special year because my team really got up to so many things together and we grew on so many levels.
Kristina started by being my right hand and took on a lot more responsibility than when we started working together. We spoke about it all in this video. I am proud that even though we work really hard, we both enjoy it and we became good friends through work. She knows I am on her team, and I know she has my back no matter what. You all know that Dusan and I travelled even more together this year, we snapped many many pictures, and I published 423 pictures on my Instagram, which is more than one per day. Besides them two that are oldies but goodies, this year we took on a new person on our time, and her name in Nina. You will probably get to know her very soon, as she is already working with us for few months. I couldn’t be happier with my team, and grateful for the fact that they do everything to make my blog, YouTube and Instagram grow. They work because they love to create, they love to grow and they are so eager to get better. I am also grateful for my management team: Enrico, Marcella and Matteo, who are also my friends besides my team. None of these achievements would be possible without these hardworking people, and I am working hard to make sure they are fully aware of that.
In 2018 I took 84 flights in total, which is more than any year before. I went to all the fashion weeks, so New York, London, Milan and Paris, twice to Haute Couture in Paris and even tried the Mens Fashion Week in Milan (this perhaps was even my favourite!). I started the year in Iceland with Dior, followed by trip to Paris with YSL where I shot a big video for them with a team of 25 people. I became an ambassador for brands like Intimissimi, Calzedonia, APM Monaco, Suzane and Foreo, and again this year ONLY worked with the brands I truly love, such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Bulgari, Jimmy Choo, Damiani, Armani, Proenza Schouler, Omega, Ralph Lauren, Furla, Tods, Bally, Tiffany&Co, Santoni, Viktor and Rolf and many others. I am super proud that besides working on projects with all of these brands, I also continued relationship with them over and over again, meaning that none of my work is a one of, I try to maintain my relationships, which is what makes it all a bit more meaningful.
So yes, the year started with incredible trips and a Dior ball under masks, which was an experience I will remember forever. After Haute Couture I headed to NY, London, Milan and Paris, Fashion Month always improves me a little bit, I return overworked but so happy, I get to spend time with other influencers while working with brands like Versace and Fendi. March for me is always exciting because its my birthday month, and this year I took a little break, I prepared mentally for April, which brought an exciting trip to Verona, followed by Los Angeles and Coachella for few projects. This year we got to work with Furla and Revolve during the festival, and we spent two weeks in California, just living the life.
May was a month of road trips. Seeing Cinque Terre for the first time was special, and I still say it was probably my favourite trips of the year. After Italy I got to test drive the latest Bentley Continental GT from Kitzbuhel to Venice, this was just unforgettable. A trip to always remember and I was so lucky to do it with my best friend. Cannes was next. I got so happy when Oscar De La Renta sent me most beautiful dress ever, and my princess moment came true. Sex and the City moment in real life. Straight from Cannes I flew to Belgrade for a short break and then back to Venice with Bulgari – that short but sweet trip was followed by an amazing time in Santorini. This island is always on my list of places to go , year in and out and I will never get bored of it (despite their airport which just needs urgent change).
Why did I enjoy Milan Mens Fashion Week so much? I mean did you watch my stories? It was heaven, not too many shows, but many enough to enjoy it, Milan at its best time, and pizza. I loved it. I then returned to London for a day, and quickly prepared for a special trip with Armani, we flew on private jet to Pantelleria, and the memories I have from that island are very dear to me. Straight after Dior took me to Paris for opening of their Apartment on Place Vendome, I posted many photos because I just couldn’t believe all the beauty in one place. As if all those trips weren’t enough, I flew to Mykonos for opening of Names village, and this was one of my favourite projects in 2018. My best friend Enrico, sun, beach and amazing parties, what more could I wish for? Beginning of July was saved for a trip to Paris with Lancome, we went there to celebrate their collaboration with Proenza Schouler and it also meant that I probably visited this city around 10 times in 2018. Vienna, Dubrovnik, Mali Losing, Rovinj, Belgrade where other cities where I went when I needed a break. That is what August was for….
Well almost, that is if you don’t count a magnificent trip to St.Petersburg with Omega where I met Nicole Kidman who is just divine, Film Festival that I mentioned above, and Intimissimi Fashion Show in Verona.All of those just days before yet another round of New York, London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks. In September I also started working with one of my favourite designers – Alessandra Rich, and continued working on projects with Jimmy Choo, Santoni, Versace, Dior, Tods, Escada, Bulgari, Damiani, during the hectic month.
End of October I had a huge honour to go to New York for the launch of Moschino x H&M, to meet Jeremy Scott and to be one of the first influencers in the world to see the collection. I also attended their big event in Zagreb, Croatia, where I was the endorser of the brand.
Between the two events, I got to see Los Angeles, Arizona, Grand Canyon and a stunning Arizona Desert with Proenza Schouler, if someone would have told me that I will be travelling around the US with one of my favourite design duos, I wouldn’t have believed it. It was an absolute dream. As always, December was kept for vlogmas, and with Dusan I travelled all over Finland, British Countryside, Austria and New York. Such a massive learning experience and one for which I was finally ready this year.
None of this would have been possible without tremendous support of my family. They really pushed me when I didn’t have more energy, but they also knew to tell me when to slow down. They complained a bit about my weight loss, but they also supported me in my every decision, every wish and in pursue of this dream. None of this would also be possible without you. Your daily comments, love, criticism, all of that is something that helps me grow, create and think outside of box – well they say that pisces are really good at that.
2019 is going to be a big year of change. Everything is going to stay the same but something different and big will happen pretty soon, I don’t wanna reveal too much, but you won’t have to wait for a very long time to find out, give me few more months and the news will be with you. Thank you for sticking with me, one more year on this journey. I love you all, Happy New Year!
