Chuck Dong, a seasoned Polaroid photographer, offers an intimate, multi-year glimpse into the evolving world of Eddie Mitsou. Dong, who has been photographing Eddie over four years, has closely observed her transition from modeling to writing, capturing each shift in her journey with a shared Scorpio connection. Now an author, Eddie discusses her evolution, the inspirations behind her book ‘Peaches‘, and much more in this candid interview.
You’ve transitioned from modeling to authoring, two fields that are quite different from each other. Can you talk about that transition and what drove you to make that change?
I’ve always been a storyteller, whether it’s through an editorial, an image I’m trying to create (and sell) while modeling for a brand, a silly Instagram reel, or now – a book. To me, the change isn’t too drastic, because as long as I’ve been modeling, I’ve always been writing as well.
I do realize now in the aftermath of publishing Peaches, having the book out for the world to see, I have a whole new career as a published author, and that work is very different from just “being a model”. I’m learning so much every day! My career has always been about promoting myself, today it’s about promoting an item that’s very close to my heart – and I have to say – I love it!
As a Scorpio, do you feel your astrological sign has influenced your life and choices?
I’m not huge into astrology more than I know the basics, and I like to read my horoscope for funny insights on a weekly basis. Scorpios are mainly known to be jealous, mysterious, quite dark, and possessive. On a good note, we’re very loyal, determined, and ambitious. I feel connected with all the secondary things, and maybe the mysterious part (smiles)
I do think it’s interesting though with people you meet, there are relationships in my life that have become significantly more important because of a connection on an astrological bond, than they maybe would’ve otherwise. Whether it’s actually because of our traits, or if it’s just over the idea that you think you will work with someone because your signs supposedly match.
Can you describe the inspiration behind the title of your book, “PEACHES”?
The meaning of Peaches is explained on the first page of the book.
“Soft on the outside, sweet on the inside, and tough at the core”
That’s how the fruit peaches are, but also how I see myself and the friends I’ve interviewed. Quite soft and sweet at first, but with a core that’s solid, and impossible to break. A big part of the book is also to inspire people to eat more plants – so having a fruit in the title felt fitting.
“I’ve always been a storyteller, whether it’s through an editorial, an image I’m trying to create while modeling, or now – a book.”
Your book aims to be a guide for those dealing with self-doubt. How has your own experience with self-doubt shaped the book and its advice?
Among other things, self-doubt is something I know a lot of young individuals are dealing with, so I felt that whatever I could do to help someone would make a difference. I doubted myself way harder when I was a teen than I do today in my late 20s. Apart from learning to trust myself on my journey, I believe it’s something that automatically happens as you get older and become more secure in yourself.
Who are some of the strong women who have pushed you forward?
All the women featured in the book have inspired me in one way or another. Aside from that, my mom was my biggest advocate and the person who gave me the strength to dare to move forward. She taught me to never give up; and that if you trust yourself, you can make anything possible, no matter what’s “logic” and what the norm is telling you to do.
From a more known standpoint, I always loved Courtney Love. She was the first woman outside my home who inspired me to have a kick-ass mentality. I listened to Hole so much in my pre-teens and still know every lyric to the first three albums.
As a former model, how has your relationship with food evolved over the years?
I became interested in a plant-based, whole foods diet pretty quickly when I started modeling because I wanted to find a way to stay in shape (mind you: this is almost 10 years ago) but at the same time nourish my body and do it in a healthy way. In hindsight, I can see that when I was younger, I was definitely a little bit too strict, and obsessed too much about what I ate from day to day. But with time and knowledge, I learned that even if you splurge, and eat fried food, or a whole bag of chocolate chip cookies in a day – it’s really not the end of the world. I also used to dabble with different vegan diets: I was strict on raw food for a bit – and once even a fruitarian. And I tried the low-carb high-fat vegan diet (that’s a lot of nuts, I’m telling you!). What I’ve realized is that eating from all types of food groups is what feeds my body and soul the best. I would say the way my relationship has evolved the most is that I found balance.
“I doubted myself way harder when I was a teen than I do today in my late 20s. Apart from learning to trust myself on my journey, I believe it’s something that automatically happens as you get older and become more secure in yourself.”
As part of the fashion industry, which can often focus on external beauty, how do you reconcile that with your focus on internal health and wellness?
Everything is connected, in so many ways. I believe that if you focus on internal health and wellness (see meditation, mindfulness, sleep, and fueling with good foods), you’ll also achieve the best results of external beauty. Internal beauty is something I rather promote, because staying healthy, strong, and energized is so important, but I’m not going to lie and say that I don’t care about my appearance (smiles)
Throughout the four years of working with Chuck Dong, what has been your favorite Polaroid from the shoots and why?
I think my favorite of our Polaroids is the one when I’m standing in front of the LA -backdrop. Visually I really look like a 70s dream girl and there’s no way of knowing it was shot in 2020. And that’s also another reason that image is special to me, that day, I reconnected with someone from my past that later became a big part of my life again. It was one of those very serendipitous days, you know? It was January 2020, right before the pandemic started, and in a way everything that happened after became more complex and I feel like my perspective of life changed after this day. Not to sound too dramatic, but it was definitely the end of an era.
I also like the photos of me with Peaches. That was captured on my birthday in 2021 at Sunset Tower Hotel, and the book I’m holding is the first edition test print – so it’s special to me.
And finally, if you could go back and say one thing to your younger self now, what would it be and why?
Be nice to that nice girl. And; trust your mama, everything she’s telling you is true and your life is going to be all you ever dreamed of.
@cdong_polaroids – Photography
@eddiemitsou. – Model