Introducing Diana Gladka (left) and Daria Albesco (right), both 14, both 5′10″, and both discovered recently by Gal Golan of Yes Model Management. Diana is from the Ukraine and Daria is from Russia, and both were confirmed by Women Model Management this weekend. More on them soon!

Modeling since she was 13 years old, Argentinian beauty Azul Caletti has just begun her international career. Signed with Women Model Management in NY, Paris and Milan, Azul was discovered by mother agent Lorena Ceriscioli and came to our attention through photographer Andres Piersanti (who shot the beautiful test on her profile). We love Azul’s fragile freckled beauty – she’s almost otherworldly, with incredible blue eyes that just light up on camera. Can’t wait to see Azul evolve into a major attraction! View more info on Azul’s profile.

Dutch cutie Caroline Meijer is now placed with Women Management in Paris, Milan and New York, Premier in London, Place Models in Hamburg and Uno in Barcelona. In January 2009 she will have her first trip to either Milan or Paris. We can’t wait!

Check out Caroline’s new photos on her profile.

Genius Russian scouting is showing no signs of slowing down. The next girl up is Balakina, already signed to top model makers Women in New York, Paris and Milan, and Storm in London. Balakina is one of a half dozen beauties from the Moscow agency Avant Models who may just take over the runways this coming season. View Balakina’s profile.

Returning home to Salzburg, Austria to spend a few days relaxing with her mother after a hectic show season (and a shoot with Mario Testino), lovely Iris Strubegger took the time to answer some quick questions and share her personal pictures from backstage with us.

Q&A

If you weren’t modeling you would be… in China with my boyfriend.
What are you passionate about? I am passionate about beautiful things. I love art and I love it to be creative. I love beautiful and special pictures or drawings, even movies and songs.
What are your hobbies/interests? I like mountain biking, jogging or skiing in winter. I really prefer outdoor sports rather than working out in a gym. And I also love taking pictures or drawing, to be creative somehow.
How did you start modeling? I got scouted on the street in New York when I was there for student exchange, and, as I was not from there, they advised me to go to Place Models in Germany – the best advice!

Iris in yellow at Carlos Miele.

Do you have any favourite designers? No, there are so many great designers out there that I could never decide and name only a few!
What is your best quality? I think my best quality is that I try to stay the way I am.
What are you listening to at the moment? Living Darfur from Mattafix.
Where is your favourite holiday destination? Croatia.
Who or what has influenced you the most in your life? My boyfriend and, of course, modelling.
What piece of advice would you give to aspiring models? Always respect people and be nice because you never know who you are going to work with next.
Do you have a special beauty/fitness routine you follow? It’s hard to follow routines when you never know where you are the next day. When I’m at home I eat healthy, warm meals for lunch and do outdoor sports every day. I try to do the same when I’m traveling for work, but it’s not always possible.
Which famous person would you like to meet? Ellen Pompeo and Karl Lagerfeld.
What languages can you speak? Only English and of course my mother language German. I would love to speak French which is really important for fashion.
Are you still studying? No, I finished school last spring. I want to go to university later.
What do your friends think about your modeling career? They think it’s great that one of their friends is a model but they also understand that it’s not the funny and easy job everybody thinks it is.
Do you collect anything? If so, what? Beautiful pictures.
Last book you read? Third part of The Golden Compass.
Best dish you can cook? “Schwammerlgulasch”, it’s an Austrian dish with mushrooms, dumplings and some kind of tomato sauce.
Favourite all-time model? Heidi Klum.
What are you thinking on the catwalk? Most of the time I don’t think anything because everything goes so fast!
Best modeling experience so far? I am so happy and grateful of my successful first fashion week season!
What does family think of you traveling so far away? Of course they miss me a lot. But they also support me all the time which is very important to me. When I’m not successful as a model I know that I can always return home.
Most played song on your iPod? Living Darfur from Mattafix

Many thanks to Iris and Yannis of Place Models for the interview!