Teodora Djuric has a proclivity for performing arts and feels that an artist has the creative calibre to use their bodies, special skill or voice to convey a message.
Multilingual model, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist, Teodora Djuric has worked in fashion films, TV commercials, campaigns, runways and feature films. However the German-Serbian personality felt that it was acting that gave her true fulfillment as she starred in Paydirt, Man Cave, Ebenda. She has a proclivity for performing arts and feels that an artist has the creative calibre to use their bodies, special skill or voice to convey a message. Besides her love for arts and acting, she has dabbled with her interest in sports and entrepreneurship. She is the co-owner of Smart Network Development, a company creating the next sticker generation on smartphones by gamifying digital communication in 3D. With such great exposure in life in various fields, she remains resolute that she likes to face new challenges and reinvent herself every day. It’s her unstoppable spirit to do something new that makes her bucket list so long. Here she tells us about her journey in a camaraderie interview.
Q- You are of German- Serbian origin but have fluency in almost 6 languages. How did you become multilingual?
I am of Serbian origin but I grew up in Germany, Serbian heart and German education. I would love to say it was purely my accomplishment but I do have to give my parents a lot of credit. Growing up, I was exposed to different countries, cultures and languages around the world, due to their love for travel. They speak 4 languages and as a child I was so impressed by their ability to communicate with different compatriots. Observing them left a mark on me and galvanized me into expanding my knowledge through learning. Music and friends with different cultural backgrounds also had their impact. It was the merger of all of the influences mentioned above.
Q- You have a degree in fashion and even worked for Maison Giambattista Valli. What prompted your shift to modelling and films?
The shift came along with wanting to try something new. To be honest, I never intended to model. I never even put much thought into it but I was asked several times until I decided to try it and found joy and success along the way. Film has always been a priority but seemed so far away and unrealistic growing up with a family of academics. I have always had a passion for performing and entertaining and just had to find out if I had a shot at it. I didn’t want to wake up one day and ask myself what if Fashion Design is still a big passion of mine and may become once more part of my life in the near future.
Fashion Design is still a big passion of mine and may become once more part of my life in the near future.
Q- You have shared many backstage moments on your Instagram. While the world mostly sees the glamorous runways, they are curious to know what happens backstage. Can you recall one cherishable backstage incident for our readers?
It’s a beautiful thing to show backstage moments, it truly is the most fun, but also right before the show, it is the most stressful. To me the most cherishable backstage incident was the ability to make life long friends in a place I didn’t expect to find them. The support, laughter and love of fellow model colleagues was surprising to me. I was influenced by the media into thinking all models are mean, which was simply unfair propaganda.
Q- Your social media is buzzing with gorgeous photos of you in beachwear, loungewear and couture gowns. How would you define your fashion sense? Kindly share the designers whose work you admire the most and why you like them?
First of all, thank you very much for the compliments! My fashion sense depends entirely on my mood but can also change it. It also converts with the time by worldly influences. Primarily I appreciate when clothes give me a good feeling, if you feel down they can be an armor and if you feel good it can uplift you even more. They can enhance a feeling or completely change it. This said, it changes from clean minimalistic, elegant (which is my favourite) to romantic, playful to dareful. My admiration for designers varies from past to present. There is a difference between brands and designers. Beginning with Tom Ford, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Daniel Roseberry, Jean Paul Gaultier, Manfred Thierry Mugler, Mark Erskine-Pullin (Monsieur Pearl), Remo Ruffini, Giorgio Armani, Silvia Venturini, Donatella Versace, Richard Quinn, Peter Dundas and so many more There is not enough space to name them all. I love their fearlessness in trying something new each time, the playfulness in shape and color as well as the stories and messages they tell with their choice of designs. They portray pieces of art with the highest craftsmanship. I would have loved to work with Alexander McQueen, Gianni Versace, Alaia, Albert Elbaz and again, many more.
I would have loved to work with Alexander McQueen, Gianni Versace, Alaia, Albert Elbaz and again, many more.
Q- Who are the designers you have modelled for in your career? Who do you dream of working with next and why?
To name a few Tommy Hilfiger, Christian Dior, Stefano de lellis, Belma Tvico, Replay, Calvin Klein, Patrizia Pepe and many more. A lot of the brands I have worked with, are linked on my Instagram. I dream of working with all the designers named above, but for some time now I have been obsessed with Moncler Genius. I think they have created something outstanding and never done before.
Q- You have worked in fashion films, TV commercials, campaigns, runways and feature films. What format do you enjoy the most and how do they all differ in terms of experience?
While I had the privilege to find joy in each of these different work scenarios, only one brought me true fulfilment and that is acting. The difference in terms of experience on working in fashion films to me was like a still art film short. The TV commercials, depending on the product, are more in the direction of acting. In a campaign the brand chooses you for who you are, it is a more intimate bond. Runways give me a huge adrenaline rush. The stress level gets high on the backstage, the timing has to be impeccable and you should not slip on the runway (but if it happens you get up, fix your crown and continue walking). Feature Films can tell so many different stories and you can escape from reality for a moment. However, they all have one thing in common. They are all different characters.
Films can tell so many different stories and you can escape from reality for a moment. However, they all have one thing in common.
Q- You have featured in Paydirt, Man Cave, Ebenda. When did you decide that acting was your inner calling? How did you bag the roles?
The decision was made pretty early on, already as a kid I have been fascinated with motion pictures and was dazzled by certain performances. I wanted to be able to do the same. I had to try it, and my first audition has become my first movie as the lead role, which is not the norm. It has been mostly auditioning where you have to go as an actor and convince the whole team that you were the right person for that part. The most flattering was, when I was cast for a role because my prior work has spoken for itself. But there is always space for improvement.
Q- You are into sports like skiing, karate, swimming and artforms like ballet, painting, designing. While sports keep one physically fit, art helps in channeling creativity. What is performance art to you in terms of self-expression?
With performance art, an artist can use their bodies, special skill or voice to convey a message. Artists can express their feelings and emotions more precisely but also more confusing on a higher level. It is not always understood but it surely can be beautiful most of the time. Art and music are 2 performance arts that I would utilize. You have been part of many fitness campaigns. Kindly share some fitness tips to stay physically and mentally fit. In order to stay mentally fit, one should stay physically fit in the first place. It is scientifically proven that endorphins are released when your heart rate is up. So as to achieve to become physically fit, you first have to find out what brings you joy and what works for you individually. The motivation is much higher if you have actual fun getting some exercise done. In my case it is mainly martial arts such as Krav Maga and running. The mental fitness or mental balance occurs to me when I listen to my body and soul. I reflect and ask myself, what is it that I need to do in order to be happy? It doesn’t always have to be the same routine. Learning a new skill is also something that works for me. Mostly it is a miz of meditation and affirmation, reading a book, having a spa day but primarily beeing in nature with my phone switched off. Do what makes you happy and what gives you peace of mind.
Mostly it is a miz of meditation and affirmation, reading a book, having a spa day but primarily beeing in nature with my phone switched off.
Q- You are an entrepreneur & investor in tech startups such as Smart Network Development. What is this startup about and how did you get interested in entrepreneurship?
Smart Network Development is a company created by me and my brother. The company is creating the next sticker generation on your smartphone by gamifying digital communication in 3D. He came up with the idea and presented it to me and I decided to invest immediately because I truly believe in it. We have always consulted one another on any ideas we had in life in terms of creating something that hasn’t been done before. The foundation in becoming entrepreneurs has been given to us in our upbringing. Our parents always encouraged us to be curious, face our fears, think and act for ourselves as well as learn from the consequences that may come with the decisions we made. But above all, never give up on what we believe in as individuals, even if people or themselves may disagree and that happens from time to time. The process and time showed me that nothing is insurmountable. It takes years of hard work, long hours, and no recognition to finally become successful as an entrepreneur. It is a mindset.
Q- You are also associated with beauty venture NuSkin. The distributors at the makeup company have done philanthropy too by donating to malnourished children. Do you feel business and philanthropy can go hand in hand?
I don’t think business and philanthropy can go hand in hand, they must and they should.
Q- What is the point in succeeding in business if you don’t give back to the world and society?
That is why I am delighted to be associated with NuSkin through my company Mateo which I lead with my mother.
Q- What’s next after modelling, acting and entrepreneurship? Kindly share your future plans with us.
First of all, I am happy that my first NFT will be released on www.teodora.io and I am starting with nothing less than the LOfficiel India cover picture that appeared here, which will make the very first nft-magazine cover to be published. I would also like to give something back to the world so I have decided that 50% of the income will be given throughout various organisations that need the support . There will be a series of never before published photos, turned into NFTs. Every single one will have its own story. I like to face new challenges and reinvent myself every day. So everything is possible. My bucket list is long but 2 of the goals for this year are to finish, my pilot and motorcycle license. There is never a dull moment in my life. If it seems to be boring then I dedicate myself to new ideas and adventures. I am far away from done.
I don’t think business and philanthropy can go hand in hand, they must and they should.
