This Week’s Model: Eniko Mihalik

Your first show ever was Chanel couture—what was that like? It was the most exciting moment of my career. I watched fashion TV so I remember seeing all these big models and thinking, like, “I can’t believe Natasha Poly is standing behind me in line!”

From left: Rodarte spring 2010; Chanel spring 2010

What was it like first meeting Karl Lagerfeld? I was scared of him! I think a lot of people are scared of him, actually.

Now you work with him regularly, how has your relationship changed? I don’t think I’ve ever really spoken to him—I’m still scared of him! I’m so shy. But every time I get confirmed there, it’s still a big thing. If they ever said to me, “Eniko, we want you to do our show, but you can’t do any other shows,” I would be like, “Ok!”

From left: Balmain spring 2010; Bottega Veneta spring 2010

We’ve heard your most prized possession is a teddy bear— Yeah, Bubu! I got it from one of my ex-boyfriends and I started taking him with me everywhere. If I sleep without him I just wake up in the middle of the night and my hand is searching for him. He’s really dirty now, but I just love my little guy.

We’ve also heard you love cartoons; which do you watch the most? I just moved to a new place, so I don’t have my cable hooked up, so all I watch is Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. I like South Park and Family Guy, but Spongebob is absolutely my favorite. I’m also a big fan of Hannah Montana.

Mihalik in “Harvest” shot by Mario Sorrenti for W’s April 2009 issue; in “Stardust” shot by Inez van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin for W’s April 2009 issue

Do you like Miley Cyrus? Not Miley, just Hannah Montana.

You’re known for working in more avant-garde publications; is there any magazine that you are dying to be shot for? American Vogue would be amazing. I know I’m not that type of commercial girl and unfortunately, I don’t have the million-dollar smile, but I think Anna Wintour should try me out.

From left: Max Mara’s fall 2009 campaign; H&M’s fall 2009 campaign.

Tell us about the steamy Terry Richardson Pirelli calendar that recently came out. It sounds a bit bad, but we kind of were running around naked the whole time. We were all pretty much free to do whatever we want, and Terry took pictures.

From left: Mihalik in “American Dreamin'” shot by Inez van Lamsweerde & Vinoodh Matadin for W’s December 2008 issue; Minhalik in the 2010 Pirelli Calendar shot by Terry Richardson.

Is it true that you’re interested in starting your own restaurant back home? Yes! I love food, and I figure there is no American type of a restaurant like a pastry shop or a bakery where you can buy a bagel or get a salad in Hungary. I think it would be great because come on, everyone loves to grab a bagel here, so why wouldn’t they love it over there?

What are your favorite foods? Hungarian food is my favorite. I love Italian food and sushi, but I still think goulash is tastiest thing.

Above: Mihalik (at right) in the 2010 Pirelli Calendar.

Check back next Tuesday for the next installment of “The Skinny.” Read our previous model Q&As here.