“Growing up as a little blond girl, made me very assertive”
Meet Eline.
She grew up as a little blond, very shy girl. Now she’s very assertive and loves to shock people with her big mouth.
Meet Eline, who’s biggest dream is to become a professional dancer. “In my family, we know life can be suddenly over. So… take advantage of it.”
Eline lives in Bruges, but we meet each other in the rural village of Zuienkerke. Eline grew up here. As a little child, she used to play in the small forest and the fields where we took this pictures. “I used to come here every day”, she says. “I came here to play, fish and stroll around. Coming back for this photoshoot feels very nostalgic. It’s been a long while since I came here. It’s a shame, because I took me only ten minutes to get here.”
For this photoshoot, you posed fully nude. How did you feel about this?
“In nature I feel free. Especially at a place like this, that is close to my heart. I am not ashamed of my nakedness. I don’t think I have to cover anything for another. If people don’t want to see something, they shouldn’t look. Furthermore I think it’s great to portray a woman’s body as art. Something beautiful, separate from a sexual context.”
What do you like best about your body?
“I have broad shoulders and pronounced clavicles, just like my mom. I used to be ashamed of those broad shoulders, because I thought they made me look masculine. But now I am really proud of my muscular physique. I am less satisfied with my straight hips. I love round hips in women, but unfortunately I’m not blessed with them. But the only thing I would ever change about myself, is my hook nose.”
“A naked woman shouldn’t be anything sexual”
You have some tattoos. What is the story behind them?
“I have three tattoos, one with a meaning: the sentence ‘take advantage of it’ (profiteer er maar van in Dutch) on my right foot. In my grandmother’s handwriting. The sentence comes from a letter she had written to me, when I was traveling alone for the first time. She’s the most important person in my life. In my family, we know life can be suddenly over. So … Take advantage of it. Before I get thirty, I want my body to be fully covered with tattoos, especially traditional designs and animals.”
If anything were possible, what is the first thing you would do?
“I would adopt all the animals from the streets and shelters in the entire world.”
What is the biggest dream you want to realize?
“To become a professional dancer.”
“I like it when people don’t take themselves too seriously”
What are you most proud of?
“That I have overcome many social fears. I used to be very timid and people shy. Now I’m very assertive. That’s the result of growing up as a little blond girl. I like to shock people with my big mouth. (laughs) Being this assertive has taken me surprisingly far, but somethings people have a wrong image of me because of it.”
What’s on your bucket list?
“Diving, learn pole dancing, to be able to speak Spanish and to get my motorcycle license. And I’m really working to achieve those goals, because I already have a driving license and I already started taking Spanish lessons.”
Which country do you ever want to travel to?
“I have been fascinated by Mexico since childhood. So I really want to travel to Mexico. I also would love to make a road trip through the southwestern of the United States. I just want to see as much of the world as possible.”
“I used to be ashamed for my broad shoulders, but now I’m proud of my muscular physique”
What makes you happy?
“The sun, animals, good food, ease, friends, family."
What makes you sad?
“Hate and everything that comes out of it.”
What do you regret the most?
“That I lost contact with my best friend from high school. We didn’t have a fight, but just lost track of each other.”
Where do you see yourself in ten years?
“Hopefully I will have my own house in the countryside, with a big yard, a loving partner and a satisfying job.”
What song makes you instantly happy?
“Personality by Loyd Price. It was my favorite song as a child.”
What movie would you watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon?
“All movies of the Shrek series. You can’t get tired of those.”
What’s your favorite dish?
“Lasagna from Aldi.” (laughs)
About Eline.
Eline was born on June 3, 1996. She lives in Bruges and works in a second-hand clothing store. She quit her tourism studies. Eline likes dancing, roller skating and taking care of her plants and animals. She also likes drawing, sewing and tinkering.
Instagram: @lucker.e.