The 21st century girl doesn’t pertain to any stereotype. She’s a chick of many talents, one moment she’s in Europe, the next she’s in Asia. She’s working on several artistic projects at once and killing at every single one. She’s a mix of races – picking up different cultures as she travels. She’s the mysterious girl at the party you want to know her life story who everyone has their eyes on. Here we have sat down and chatted for you.

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Interview by Sadie Bell
Photography by Lauren Engel

Zanita started in the fashion world as a model in Australia. She first started her blog in 2006 she was already working as a photographer as well. What started with a laptop and a Canon DSLR quickly grew in size and scope. Soon, Zanita was jetting off to Paris to work with Louis Vuitton, London to work with Jimmy Choo and New York to work with Ralph Lauren; contributed content to Vogue.com and H&M and so much more.

Tell us about your upbringing and how did it shape the person you are now?
I grew up in a town Esperance, it’s in rural Western Australia – there’s a pretty vast difference to go from being on the farm, riding motorbikes and doing sheep work, to being in the thick of New York Fashion week. I like to think it’s been grounding for me, and it helps when it comes to not taking myself or the industry too seriously. Though that point has been both positive and negative – sometimes it’s important to take yourself seriously.

You’ve had your blog since 2006, how has your blog stayed innovative and why is this important?
As long as you’re inspired and enjoying making the content, its probably going to continue being relevant. I’ve seen a lot of influencers ‘go through the motions’ lately and to their detriment, the content just isn’t engaging. You need to evolve and always try to create something new. I also find it’s incredibly important to be happy and healthy so you can share positivity. People like content that makes them feel good and you can’t create that when you’re not in a great headspace.

How has your blog been like a journey for you?
The site is so personal, I share many of the daily details of my life – so the whole thing has been a kind of diary during the 7 years I’ve had it. Most of all its been creative journey – going from being a pretty crap photographer to one that isn’t so bad.

“I guess the one lesson I’ve learnt and continue to learn is really about finding confidence. Through all the successes I’ve had I still suffer from doubting myself – but during the times I’ve felt most confident I’ve been able to achieve so much more.”

The “Personal Growth” section on Zanita.com gives us a little more insight into you as a person through your experiences and what’s important to you, what’s something that has been essential to your growth as an individual – as a blogger?
It felt like quite a natural progression to begin a ‘Personal Growth’ segment on the site, I initially began sharing some thoughts on my journey to this point of my career and my readers gave so much response and were so engaged by it I realised that it was something that needed play a bigger part in the themes of the site. Sharing the lessons I learn and continue to learn has built a reference point for me, reminders to keep striving for something better. I feel like its really strengthened all areas of my business, even the creative side, and helped me value more than the numbers and statistics.

What has been the biggest challenge throughout your career and the transitions you’ve made from modeling to blogging and everywhere in between?
The biggest hurdle has been learning to value myself and what i do to a greater degree. Even today there are those within the Fashion Industry that still consider bloggers/influencers as 2nd tier or less relevant – and it’s hard not to buy into that, especially because I’d know and admire so many of these people as an insider through my modelling career. I’d often be at a show or an event and feel like I wasn’t really supposed to be there, but I’m moving past that. I’ve worked a long while to get to this place and I plan to go further.

Followers of your blog and social media all know your face, style, and a bit of your history, but what’s one things fans might not know about you or that you would like them to know about you as a person?
I guess the one lesson I’ve learnt and continue to learn is really about finding confidence. Through all the successes I’ve had I still suffer from doubting myself – but during the times I’ve felt most confident I’ve been able to achieve so much more. Faking it till you make it is a great philosophy and showing people you own your place is how you can best secure it and go further.

What has been one of your favorite experiences thus far working on Zanita.com?
Working with my business partner Gustav over the past year, we’ve achieved more than I have alone in the 6 years combined. It’s been a totally exhilarating feeling because I feel like together we can really build something great. You can’t do everything and do it well alone!

As you keep innovating, where do you think Zanita.com will go next?
I’m aiming to build a studio here in New York, to work with and nurture upcoming creatives. Stay tuned!