Hem Bed Frame | Oiled Oak
€3.400,00
Louise Fankhänel
We found a quiet moment in between her travels, to sit down with Berlin-based model Louise Fankhänel, to speak about a moment that stayed with her in Calanque de Sugiton, what she really misses when she’s away from home, and how she keeps perspective in a job that’s all about being seen.
You love to travel and just got back from Marseille. Was there a moment or experience from your trip that really made an impression on you?
Marseille has a very special place in my heart. I’m drawn to cities with energy and character, and Marseille definitely has that. What makes it truly unique is how the bustling city sits right next to some of the most breathtaking natural landscapes.
On my most recent visit, one moment really stuck with me. We woke up early, grabbed sandwiches from our favorite neighborhood bakery, and took an Uber about 30 minutes outside the city. From there, we hiked through Calanque de Sugiton. Dramatic white cliffs, rugged paths, and crystal-clear blue sea stretched out below us. I have seen many beautiful places, but this view genuinely moved me. The light, the stillness, and the vastness of it all made the moment feel almost suspended in time.
Travel can be inspiring, but many people still feel that ‘there’s no place like home.’ What do you miss most when you’re away?
When I’m away for a while, I realize how much I miss home, not just emotionally, but physically.
For me, Berlin represents time and space. I rarely have modeling jobs there, so when I’m in the city, I usually have some breathing room. Of course, there are emails, taxes, and other admin stuff that come with freelance life, but I can structure my days at my own pace. I wake up without rushing and walk almost everywhere I need to go. Those small routines keep me grounded.
I also miss not living out of a suitcase. Everything feels temporary when I’m traveling, from my clothes to my surroundings to my sense of order. At home, I have space for my things, and everything has its place. My apartment is spacious and uncluttered, and that openness really calms me.
Berlin itself gives me the same feeling. Wide sidewalks, big parks, open skies. You don’t feel pressed in by buildings or crowds. That sense of expansiveness mirrors how I like to live, with room around me and time within my day.
What is it like to be a model today, especially now that modelling and influencing often go hand in hand, and so many people share their photos online
Modeling and influencing definitely go hand in hand these days, but interestingly, I don’t really experience them as overlapping in my own career. While I do have an Instagram presence, it feels more like a reflection of me as a person than of my modeling persona.
I don’t follow many people from the industry unless I have worked with them. It just doesn’t interest me that much. I use social media to keep up with friends and find inspiration, whether in fashion, interior design, or cooking. Of course, I know clients look at my profile before booking me, so that influences what I post, but beyond that, I try not to overthink it and sometimes forget about the platform entirely.
On set, there is often a team dedicated to social media content, which is definitely a newer development.
Sometimes, being a model can make it hard for people to see who you are beyond the photos. Is there something about your personality you wish more people understood?
I had a conversation about this with a stranger at the airport a few months ago. He had very strong opinions about the modeling industry and about me, even though he didn't know me at all. I tried to explain how I see my work, but I’m not sure he understood. Maybe I didn’t find the right words, so let’s try again:
Modeling is my job, but it’s not my identity. I started very young, in my early teens, and I’ve experienced many different phases of this industry, some incredibly exciting, others more challenging. Over time, I’ve learned that hard work matters, but also that this career moves in waves. Jobs come and go, and stressing too much about it usually does more harm than good.
That is probably why I have a certain detachment from it. I appreciate the artistry, but I am not consumed by it. In my private life, I am very low-key. I enjoy not having to constantly adjust my hair or makeup or worry about how I look. It is a relief to step away from that focus. In real life, I can get ready in fifteen minutes and feel completely myself.
I think what I wish more people understood is that there is a whole person beyond the images, someone who values balance, perspective, and a life that is not centered around being seen.
Modelling is rarely a job that lasts your whole career. Are there other goals or dreams you’d like to go after in the future?
I understand why people ask that, but honestly, that idea feels outdated to me. I am actually working more and better than ever, and even though I’m getting older, I don’t see a decline in my career. Sometimes I have to remind myself of that.
Of course, I’m realistic. I know this industry can shift quickly. That’s why I completed a degree in fashion and designmanagement right after high school. Through modeling, I’ve gained experience and insights that could naturally lead me in that direction one day.
At the same time, I am open to the possibility of something completely different. I try to stay curious and not put pressure on myself to have a perfectly mapped-out plan, especially when the job market feels uncertain across many areas. For now, I focus on doing my work well, staying adaptable, and trusting that the next step will become clear when the time is right.
Berlin is a special place for many Danes. In your opinion, what’s the most underrated reason to live there today?
One of the things I love about Berlin is that you can balance very different sides of life. Berlin feels lively and in tune with the times. I have lived here for almost twelve years and still constantly discover new places.
I enjoy the club scene and dancing for hours every now and then, but I also love my routines: going to bed early, working out, and cooking at home. The city itself, with the physical space I mentioned earlier, can actually feel meditative and restorative, a mix of energy and calm that is rare and special.
That sense of openness comes from the city itself. There are wide streets, big parks, apartments with high ceilings, and plenty of mental space. Berlin does not feel suffocating or overly polished. You can move at your own pace, and it is incredibly walkable, which I love. The broad sidewalks and open layout make daily life feel less rushed and more grounded, which makes it easy to enjoy both the city’s energy and its calm.
What I find underrated is stepping away from the purely new and trendy spots and spending time in the city's more classic parts. Long-standing restaurants, traditional cafés, galleries, and museums give Berlin depth and character. I must admit I’ve had an advantage exploring these places because my fiancé was born and raised in Berlin and has shown me some of the city’s most iconic spots. It’s that mix of constant reinvention and strong history that makes living here so special.
We’re always curious about people’s bedtime routines. Do you have a favorite ritual before you go to sleep or when you wake up that you’d like to share?
I wish I could say I have a disciplined, no-screen bedtime routine, but honestly, I don’t. What matters more is closing the day properly. I like not leaving things undone from the day before, even small things like the dishes, and doing a little reset so the next morning feels calm.
I usually go through my full skincare and dental routine first, and then we wind down by watching a tv show (currently rewatching Mad Men!) or YouTube. Once I feel sleepy, which usually isn’t very late, I go straight to bed.
Mornings are actually more sacred to me than evenings. Whether I’m traveling or at home, I try not to rush and plan enough time to have a quiet breakfast and coffee, often in bed, before the day begins. That calm start really sets the tone for everything that follows.
Hem Bed Frame | Oiled Oak
€3.400,00