Door Maarten Nauw.
Name: Nina Ivanova (18, International Communication and Media, from Sofia, Bulgaria)
Describe your style? ‘Black. I don't know, I just like everything black. I find my basics at shops like Zara and H&M and the more interesting stuff in thrift shops in Sofia, Bulgaria, where I come from. In Utrecht I like Episode. I get inspired by looking at websites like Monster Children, So It Goes and Under the Line. The last one is Bulgarian.’
What would you never wear? ‘Turtlenecks. I get claustrophobic in turtlenecks. I would never wear them. Nor would I wear bright colours. But everyone should wear whatever they like, I guess. Nothing is forbidden. For men, I don't really like suits. I prefer a more laid back style.’
Music? ‘I don't like to label it. My mood changes all the time. I often only like certain parts of songs, so I skip a lot. My two favourites are Radiohead and Flying Lotus. As a kid I was hooked on Massive Attack. My parents played that all the time, also Tricky. So I guess it comes out of that pattern.’
Last concert/party? ‘Verknipt in the Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, during ADE.’
Movie? ‘Amelie. I watch it once a year, when I'm in the mood for it. It's a long movie. When I'm not in the mood, I turn it off. I also love The Royal Tenenbaums.’
Book? ‘Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut.’
News? ‘We get these newspapers in the mail at our students house. Once, on a boring Sunday, we were reading them to each other. So we kind of 'read' the Kerk in de Stad, haha. Apart from that… I check news websites when something big happens that interests me. I am fascinated by everything the NASA and ESA do, all their missions. Did you hear the sound of the comet they landed on recently? I have it as my ringtone.’
Political party? ‘I don't vote. The politics in Bulgaria is corrupt. I don't believe in any politician.’
Sports? ‘When I was younger I used to swim. Now I cycle a lot, haha. When I find the time, I'd like to kickbox. I like agressive sports. I'm a nervous person, so I like to release that tension.’
Website? ‘The New York Times' Lens blog, about photography.’
App? ‘Instagram. I follow magazines and organisations, and also like to post myself.’
Where do you live? ‘I live with three other girls in an appartment in Kanaleneiland. It's horrible. It's in Kanaleneiland for a start. It's exotic. You hear gun shots all the time, and there was this car bomb exploding the other day. We've had all issues you can imagine with the appartment itself. At one time we were afraid the gas heater would explode. We would like to find an appartment somewhere else. In the center would be great. I like noises – nice noises, though, not guns and car bombs.’
Side job or student grant? ‘I'm waiting until I turn 19, so I get a little more money. Now I live from money from my partents. I guess I'll have to be a waitress or work in a shop. It will be difficult to find a job though, for I don't speak Dutch and there are so many international students.’
Are you religious? ‘I believe life is what you make it. I don't believe in God, no one can do it for you, all the decisions are your own.’
What grade would you give your life atm? ‘Probably a 9. I am always unhappy with something. When I am here I wanna be there, when I'm doing this I want to do that. I never stick to something. But now I have embraced where I am now, with the friends I have now. I don't think about where I want to be next.’
Club or cafe? ‘Club.’
Meat or vega? ‘Meat.’
Blind or deaf? ‘Blind.’
One night stand or relationship? ‘Relationship.’
Man or woman? ‘Man.’
Morning person or night owl? ‘Night owl.’
Dog or cat? ‘Cat. I have two, but they're in Bulgaria. I miss them a lot.’
Facebook, Instagram or Tinder? ‘Instagram. Tinder is horrible!’
London, Berlin or Paris? ‘Berlin.’
What do you wanna be? ‘I don't have a goal, or a certain thing I want to become. Life never goes according to plan anyway. What is meant to be will be. I get bored with everything I do quickly. Although photography has always stuck with me. I'll see wherever life takes me. As long as I'm surrounded by art and music, and as long as I can travel.’
