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Carley Mijovic is not your average woman - and not only because of her height. While she has reached great height already being 6'5 feet tall, she aims even higher with her career as a professional athlete and model. We asked her about a feature and she shared her insights on her life as a basketball player, aspiring model and what it is like as a tall woman to work in the fashion industry. Carley, please tell us a little bit about yourself to begin with. How old are you? Where were you born and where do you live now? What is your profession, and do you have others besides modelling? I was born in Melbourne, Australia, and I am currently living in Melbourne. I have lived and travelled to many places for my job. I am a professional basketball player. I have represented Australia and currently play in the WNBL (Women National Basketball League) which is the Australian professional league. I am very lucky to do what I do and to be able to travel the world. I started a little bit of modelling for two tall clothing companies in the past two years. I absolutely love it and it is great being able to do something completely different than my job. |
Photo by Rachel Canale Photography
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As a beautiful, confident and tall woman, we are sure you get lots of unwanted attention. How do you deal with it and do you have any tips to offer to other tall women who are bothered by this?
For as long as I can remember, I have always been stared at and gotten multiple comments about my height. Whether it was someone just saying, ‘She’s tall’, or getting asked how tall I am or if I play basketball. I have just learned to stand tall and be proud of who I am and that is the best advice I can give someone. People are just jealous they don’t have our height.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been stared at and gotten multiple comments about my height. Whether it was someone just saying, ‘She’s tall’, or getting asked how tall I am or if I play basketball. I have just learned to stand tall and be proud of who I am and that is the best advice I can give someone. People are just jealous they don’t have our height.
As a basketball player you are one of the few tall women we know, who can answer the sarcastic question "Do you play basketball" with a positive "Yes, I do!". Do you like being asked or are you fed up with this question?
I wouldn’t say that I like being asked because I do get very over it. But there is no point in being rude to someone, so I just let off a big smile and say yes. Or be a little bit cheeky and say ‘No, I'm a gymnast.’ That always gives them a big laugh.
Photo by Height of Fashion
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Photo by Height of Fashion
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What does basketball give you as a person and what skills does it require? What skills do you think this sport helps you develop, especially thinking of your profession as a model?
Having played basketball all my life it has given and taught me a lot. It has definitely made me grow up very fast having to move out of home at the age of 15 to move to the AIS ( Australian Institute of Sport) in Canberra. It has taught me to be very organised, work hard and be resilient. It has also given me some of the best friends, who I know, I will have for life. Modelling isn’t my profession, but it is something I do love doing because it teaches you to have self-confidence.
With fashion modelling you entered a totally new industry and career. Are you excited about it and what are your experiences up to now and your expectations for the future?
It is a totally different world to sports. It is super girly which I love. I’m so excited to see what else I can be involved in. I know ‘Height of Fashion’ has some upcoming events which I will be part of and I am super excited.
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Modelling is a very challenging field. Do you have any help or support to break through or are you on your own with it? It is very different and challenging which I learned when I tried out for Australia’s Next Top Model. I was told I was too tall which was very funny. I am totally on my own with it and just take it as it goes. Do you agree, that most agencies have a standard height requirement and being a tall model is an additional challenge? I haven’t tried out for an agency, but I would say that, yes, they do have height and size requirements. As I said before, I was too tall for Australia’s next top model. That is the great thing about being a part of a clothing brand for tall people - I am exactly what they are looking for! Tell us about some of your recent shoots. What really goes on behind the scenes as a model? Shoot days are very exhausting but so fun. I truly just get to be my goofy self and have fun with it. The music is always pumping, and we just dance behind the scenes when we don’t have to be serious. I love to have my lunch time pizza during the day which keeps my energy up. People might say that it is totally wrong to be eating pizza, but I don’t care. A healthy balance is key in life. |
Photo by Rachel Canale Photography
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Photo by Rachel Canale Photography
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Photo by Rachel Canale Photography
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Which photographers in the industry do you most enjoy working with?
I have worked with a couple photographers. Most recently I got to work with the gorgeous Rachel Canale and her mum. They just made the day so fun. She is still young and is absolutely killing the photography scene. I also worked with Tim Carrafa for a newspaper shoot and he was just as fun.
We've seen, that you did some job for "height of fashion". Do you struggle to find clothes that fit, or have you solved this issue?
It is more challenging to find clothes and shoes as a tall girl than an average height person and you just have to search for clothes that fit. Recently working with ‘Height of Fashion’ has been amazing because their clothes are just a perfect fit, so I literally have her whole clothing line which has been a massive help.
What are your favourite places to shop for clothes?
‘Height of fashion’, ‘Asos Tall’, and I love ‘Myer’ because you can find all labels there.
What is your personal style ... sporty, formal, elegant, ...? Do you go for jeans, skirts, dresses ...? Who would you say is your 'style muse’?
I would say I am mostly wearing sporty clothes because my full-time job is being a basketball player, but on my days off I love to dress up and be girly. In winter, my go to are jeans, boots, a cute top and a jacket. I pair it with a gorgeous scarf and beanie to finish it off.
In summer, I am all for a cute jean short or a dressy short and singlet. I love a nice dress or jumpsuit.
I love ‘Victoria’s Secret’ model Elsa Hosks’ style. She is just so natural and effortlessly beautiful.
I have worked with a couple photographers. Most recently I got to work with the gorgeous Rachel Canale and her mum. They just made the day so fun. She is still young and is absolutely killing the photography scene. I also worked with Tim Carrafa for a newspaper shoot and he was just as fun.
We've seen, that you did some job for "height of fashion". Do you struggle to find clothes that fit, or have you solved this issue?
It is more challenging to find clothes and shoes as a tall girl than an average height person and you just have to search for clothes that fit. Recently working with ‘Height of Fashion’ has been amazing because their clothes are just a perfect fit, so I literally have her whole clothing line which has been a massive help.
What are your favourite places to shop for clothes?
‘Height of fashion’, ‘Asos Tall’, and I love ‘Myer’ because you can find all labels there.
What is your personal style ... sporty, formal, elegant, ...? Do you go for jeans, skirts, dresses ...? Who would you say is your 'style muse’?
I would say I am mostly wearing sporty clothes because my full-time job is being a basketball player, but on my days off I love to dress up and be girly. In winter, my go to are jeans, boots, a cute top and a jacket. I pair it with a gorgeous scarf and beanie to finish it off.
In summer, I am all for a cute jean short or a dressy short and singlet. I love a nice dress or jumpsuit.
I love ‘Victoria’s Secret’ model Elsa Hosks’ style. She is just so natural and effortlessly beautiful.
Photo by Rachel Canale Photography
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Your favourite designer is… ? And is there any particular designerpiece you are crushing on right now? At the moment, I absolutely love ‘Rat and boa’. Their dresses for summer are just amazing, especially the Valentina Maxi. Many people on the tall Facebook groups often discuss whether tall women should wear heels or not. What is your opinion? Do you like wearing heels or not? I don’t wear heels often, but I most certainly have in the past and will in the future. I think, whatever you feel comfortable and beautiful in - go for it!!! You should never listen to negative comments of other people because they must not be truly happy within themselves if they feel the need to comment negative comments and try to bring people down. Vogue or Harper’s Bazaar? Vogue What do you hope to be doing in the next 5 years? I am currently building a house in Melbourne, Australia. I am getting married in March 2019. After that, I will see where Basketball takes me. I want to make the Olympic team, possibly see where the modelling takes me, have a family. There is so much ahead of me and I am so excited to see what lies ahead. |
Photo by Rachel Canale Photography
If you could be anywhere else but here, where would you go?
The Maldives on a holiday. |