Eva In La La Land With Model And Actress Robin Van Halteren

FASHION

EVA IN LA LA LAND WITH MODEL AND ACTRESS ROBIN VAN HALTEREN

PHOTOGRAPHY

EVA DOLEŽALOVÁ

WEB EDIT

JEENA SHARMA

INTERVIEW

by EVA DOLEŽALOVÁ & ROBIN VAN HALTEREN

Introducing our latest monthly photo and interviews series where Czech filmmaker Eva Doležalová speaks to some of the most creative and inspiring names in film and fashion.

Eva Doležalová is a hot name in LA right now. The young filmmaker who shot to fame at the age of 10, with her recurring roles in Czech films and theatrical productions, has since been on an upward trajectory. After working with well-known directors such as Mike Figgis and Shane Black, she discovered a passion for screenwriting and directing films. Eva directed several short films with her first one in 2016, Sound of Sun, released by NOWNESS, that she starred in alongside Suki Waterhouse and Sean Penn. Her new film, Carte Blanche won the Audience Award in Mammoth Film Festival in February 2019 and Eva is on a journey to direct her first feature film.

For AS IF's first Eva in la la land column, Doležalová chats up model and Youtube sensation, Robin van Halteren. In addition to running a very successful YouTube channel, Van Halteren films vlogs, and longer-form discussion videos that offer a candid look into her life.

For his first photo interview series Eva brings us model and actress Robin Van Halteren.

On a sunny afternoon, the two rising stars sat down over the phone to discuss fashion, beauty, and their favorite haunts in L.A.

Eva D: Robin, tell me what you thought of our shoot.

Robin: What I really loved was that we were free to do whatever we wanted. We were collaborating instead of you telling me what to do, and I became your actress! I loved shooting in your apartment, it was the perfect setting.

You have definitely become my muse. Why I first chose you to be in my new film Les Inconnus and photograph you is because I absolutely fell in love with your eyes, your look, your persona. You have that special thing; a mesmerizing look, your eyes tell of a different life. You have a depth that comes across on screen. When we shot together you transformed into another character and I love that.

This means so much to me.

You’ve been working a lot in LA, and I want to know what you like most about the city.

What I really love about LA—it’s kind of cliché—the weather! I mean, waking up to good weather every day is a blessing, especially if you come from a somewhere as cold as Holland where I was born. Another thing I love about LA is the relaxed vibe.

What are your favorite things to do in LA?

I’m a very nerdy person, I like to hang out in bookstores! One of my favorite bookstores is Skylight Books on Vermont Ave. And, of course, I love hanging out at Figaro Bistrot because everybody speaks French, there’s French food, French wine, and you can sit outside on the terrace and have a cigarette if they’re not looking! I am very happy you introduced me to that place Eva, it’s the best!

Ganni top | Les Inconnus scarf | Kristina Fidelskaya pants. Photography by Eva Doležalová.

It’s nice to have a little taste of Europe in LA. I always joke and say if someone wanted to assassinate me, they’d find me there. (Laughter) You love fashion, Robin, who’s your favorite fashion designer?

I personally buy a lot of vintage, and my favorite vintage shop is in Los Feliz called Squaresville. I don’t stick to a certain designer, instead it’s all about the look, the cut, the material, how it looks when I walk, etc.

I agree, I have always loved Helmut Lang and Acne, but if I had to choose my all-time favorite designer it would be Yves Saint Laurent. I also love the French brand Vanessa Bruno. The clothes are beautiful, elegant, very Parisian chic, and the quality is great. Didn’t you recently buy an amazing Louis Vuitton vintage bag?

Yes, and I’m so proud of it! I’m really trying to minimize my closet down to the essential pieces. But I did also buy a very good light trench coat for $1 which I’ve been wearing every single day. It’s called Missie Harbor Original! A good trench coat can make everything look good.

Ganni top | Les Inconnus scarf | Kristina Fidelskaya pants. Photography by Eva Doležalová.

A good trench coat needs to be in every woman’s closet. Everyone woman should have the privilege to own a Burberry trench. And, you're a big beauty person. What are your favorite beauty products?

I have a mask from GlamGlow called The Power Mask, which I love and it keeps my skin clear. I have the hydrating mask from bioClarity, and I’ve been using it for about two weeks now and it really leaves my skin moisturized. I apply it in the morning and my skin stays hydrated well into the night. And, my favorite perfume at the moment is Jul et Mad, Stilettos on Lex. I’m obsessed with it, it reminds me of a scent my mom had in her perfumery that she ran for 23 years.

I think my all-time favorite perfume is Shalimar by Guerlain. What a classic! It’s the perfume Brigitte Bardot and all the French actresses wore back in the 60s. The Byredo line of perfumes are amazing as well, I love 1996 in collaboration with Inez & Vinoodh, who are also my friends and all-time favorite photographers.

Applying perfume should be a moment of luxury for yourself, a time when you can indulge.

Which are your favorite places to eat in LA?

One of my favorite places is Café Gratitude.

“For me it’s not necessary that I stick to a certain designer that I’m really passionate about. For me it’s just like... is the cut nice? Is the material nice? How does it look when you walk?”

–Robin Van Halteren–

Hmmm. Really?

Yeah, I know, It’s a hipster-ish place, but the food is just so good, and it’s fun to order there because they have this way of ordering where instead of just ordering a certain menu item you have to turn it into an affirmation. So, for example, instead of ordering a salad called the Pure salad, you have to say “I am Pure”.

Oh ya, that place. I just can’t go through with that… (Laughter)

Have you ever been to The Great White in Venice? They have the best breakfast there, and it’s close to the beach.

I’m going to have to take you to Little Next Door in West Hollywood. It’s French with a great menu and wine list. It’s one of my favorite places to eat. I also love the Italian restaurant Little Dom’s in Los Feliz.

Oh, I’m already excited!

It’s a date!