In between photoshoots and surf sessions, we meet some of Bali's top models to get the lowdown on living the model life on the Island of the Gods.
Life in Bali, it’s a dream come true for many of us: sun, sand, surf, and everything in between. We love it and we Instagram it. That’s what we do because, well, life in Bali is so damned pleasing to the naked eye. There’s beauty all around, and not just in the lush tropical surroundings – it manifests in the people too. Everywhere you look there’s another beautiful soul, seen either floating along the beach or popping up on a social feed in front of a spectacular waterfall, swanky beach club or cool cafe. So, we had a chat to some of these Bali models and influencers about living their best model life on the Island of the Gods. They spill on what they love most about Bali life, how they keep up appearances, and they even share their best Bali recommendations…
MEET 5 OF BALI’S TOP MODELS
LIZE ADAMENKO: 22 years-old, Siberia.
Hi Lize! Why did you choose to live in Bali?
I first came to Bali for a photoshoot for Elle Girl, Russia, when I was a teenager. We were in Ubud mainly, shooting in monkey forest and in the rice paddies. That’s when I fell in love with Bali and knew I wanted one day to come back and live here. It’s a work in progress, but I always want Bali to be my home base. I make my jewellery here which will be launching very soon.
What do you love most about life in Bali?
What I love most is meeting all the different kinds of people that live here. One day is always completely different from the next and life is full of unpredictable surprises. One day you can go out and not come home for three days. I love that!
How do you spend your days in Bali?
I surf and hang out in the ocean a lot.
Use three words to describe Bali…
Spiritual, free and easygoing.
Favourite spa and gym?
My favourite spas are Body Lab and Amo Spa, and my favourite gym is Body Factory.
Favourite clothing label in Bali?
Limited Edition for their kimonos.
Favourite beach or sunset spot?
I love KClub in Ubud.
Best restaurant in Bali?
Secret Spot is my absolute fave. I also love Butterfish at Echo Beach.
Tell us three of your top tourist recommendations.
Nusa Penida for freediving, and hiking down to Kelingking Beach. I also recommend going to Mount Batur and Kintamani.
Which brand are you most renowned for, or proud to be associated with?
Mmm, I’ve done 26 magazine covers now, the first being L’Officiel when I was 13 years-old. But I think I’m most proud of my most recent cover of Vogue Spain.
DMITRIY KALININ: 24 years-old, Belarus.
Hi Dmitriy! Why did you choose to live in Bali?
I came to Bali to celebrate my birthday, but Covid has kept me here because returning to Belarus became too difficult due to the political issues in my home country.
What do you love most about life here?
I love the community feeling here – the atmosphere is more truthful and I love the smiling happy people. It’s not this way in Russia. I also love how natural life is – there’s always nature all around you.
How do you spend your days in Bali?
I wake up and do some work. Along with modelling, I also create and produce social media content. But my work is connected to Moscow, so what I love about working in Bali is that I can do it throughout the day, but take my time, rest, go to the beach, work, eat, work. It’s easy for me to stay here, work and chill. Again, it’s not like this in Russia.
Use three words to describe Bali…
Healing. Freedom. Connection.
Favourite place to hang out or hit the gym?
KClub is one of my favourite hangouts. My favourite gym is on the beach doing push ups.
Favourite clothing label in Bali?
Vika Jewels and Laya Collaboration. I also like Marika Shoes.
Favourite beach or sunset spot?
Echo Beach in Canggu.
Best restaurant or cafe?
La Baracca for food and BGS for coffee.
Tell us three of your top tourist recommendations.
Savaya Bali, Kelingking beach at Nusa Penida, and Monkey Forest in Ubud
Which brand are you most renowned for, or proud to be associated with?
The catwalk at Russian Fashion Week, alongside my production company for social media.
JITTE: Hasselt, Belgium.
Hi Jitte! Why did you choose to live in Bali?
Bali just has something I never felt anywhere else in the world. The moment I set foot on this island, I felt I wouldn’t be able to leave. I feel more in ‘place’ with the mindset of the people here and the other expats that moved here. The fact that it’s always sunny and the nature is beautiful is also a plus for me.
What do you love most about life here in Bali?
That I’m always surrounded by the beauty of nature and people here. Whenever I’m driving my scooter, running on the beach, walking with my dog, or going for sunset, there is beauty in everything on this island. You meet new people everyday, hear new inspiring stories from other expats, see amazing nature. It’s like everyone in Bali is one big family that shares the love for the island we all live on. And you feel that when you go around – everybody is smiling and just at peace with themselves.
How do you spend your days in Bali?
I wake-up around 7 or 8am – Bali turned me into a morning person for sure. I’m a true breakfast lover, so I’ll go to a nice spot, have my cappuccino and prepare for the day. My days are mostly castings or shootings and after I finish, I go to the gym or for a long run on the beach with my dog. I try to catch as many sunsets as I can, so I can be found on the beach in the evening, grabbing a drink with friends or just relaxing by myself with a good book.
Use three words to describe Bali…
‘A daily surprise’ because Bali has this magical way of surprising you every day. You can plan your whole day, but you’ll meet someone or do something that will make you go somewhere, feel something, or do something that you didn’t plan. I love Bali for that.
Favourite hair salon, tattoo place and gym?
Rob Peetom is my favourite hair salon. It’s a Dutch salon so whenever I miss home, I’ll make an appointment and feel at home again. Charlie Rose is the first and only place where I ever got a tattoo. Soham is my gym spot – they offer classes and a gym with an outdoor swimming pool, a wellness facility and a healthy smoothie bar.
Favourite clothing label in Bali?
I love Motel Rocks as their style matches completely with what I love to wear. They have this tomboy-ish island vibe, I just love all of it. Also Gooseberry Intimates has very nice lingerie that makes me feel confident at any time of the day. Kiss’n’Thrill is another brand that I just recently found on Instagram – I’m in love with their beachwear. It’s so unique and cool! I need a lot of that to lay on the beaches over here…
Favourite beach or sunset spot?
One would be Melasti Beach in Ungasan. You have white sand beaches with crystal clear water, surrounded by warungs where you can grab a fresh coconut to drink and enjoy sunset at its best. The other place I like to go is Mejan Bar in Canggu. It’s a cool small place where they have the best music at sunset and some good snacks as well.
Best restaurant in Bali?
Riviera Bistro in Berawa – it’s one of my favourite places on the island. The food is top quality, the cocktails are to die for, and the atmosphere is always on point. For breakfast, Honey in Pererenan is my favourite place to go. Kajin is my favourite for some sushi and Secret Spot and Teriyaki Wok for vegan food. But I would also recommend eating at local warungs and taste the food of Indonesia and just explore that! You’ll be amazed by it.
Tell us three of your top tourist recommendations.
Make sure you take time to visit some of the spectacular waterfalls and also the other islands, like Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan or even the Gili Islands. Learn to surf or go for a snorkel trip too! I just learned how to wakeboard at Bali Wake Park! Oh and take out health insurance for sure! Bali is beautiful and dreamy, but if you are not insured and something happens to you, it can quickly become a nightmare as the hospitalisation bills are very high.
Which brand are you most renowned for, or proud to be associated with?
I would say I’m proud to be represented by my agencies and their belief in me and me in them. I love that I can live this life as a model and work together with amazing brands. I just love doing it on the beautiful island of Bali!
STELLA KLIM: 15 years-old, Australia.
Hi Stella! Why did you choose to live in Bali?
I moved to Bali with my family because my Mum has family here. We’ve been going back and forth from Australia to Bali for years.
What do you love most about life here?
The thing I love most about Bali is being able to be free and do everything you love. It’s so easy to make things happen. I love knowing so many amazing people living here, like my friends who have started Bye Bye Plastic Bags and Youthtopia, both doing everything they can to protect our beautiful island of Bali.
How do you spend your days in Bali?
I spend most of my days at the beach!
Use three words to describe Bali…
Hot, beautiful and crazy.
Favourite spa?
My favourite spa would have to be Amo for the sauna and cold pools, but Esthetic is always a good one too.
Favourite clothing label in Bali?
Wanderlust because they have such amazing swimsuits and there’s always something there I want buy.
Favourite beach or best sunset spot?
My favourite spot to watch sunset is from any of the beach shacks along Echo Beach.
Best restaurant in Bali?
Mmmm, my favourites would have to be Da Maria, Mason and Milk & Madu.
Tell us three of your top tourist recommendations.
I would recommend tourists to visit Canggu, Uluwatu cliffs, and Seminyak while it’s quiet.
The work or brand you are most renowned or proud to be associated with.
I loved doing a shoot for STELLA magazine in Australia with my family, but I also loved doing fashion shoots for SEED.
KIARA MCKENNA: Indonesia-Australia.
Hi Kiara! Why did you choose to live in Bali?
I was born in Jakarta and moved to Bali when I was five years-old, so most of my upbringing was in Bali. My parents wanted my brother and I to experience the island lifestyle and not a metropolitan one.
What do you love most about life here?
The laidback lifestyle and definitely the easy access to the beach. Also the beautiful mountains and ocean scenery, plus there’s endless activities to do here.
How do you spend your days in Bali?
Other than doing University classes online, I like to spend a lot of my time at the beach. Occasionally I squeeze in a workout before going out to lunch at a local restaurant, like Milu by Nook. I spend time with friends and family at BeachWalk or Shooters for mini games.
Use three words to describe Bali…
Cultural, beautiful, home.
Favourite spa, salon and gym?
I like going to Beauty House and Head To Toe in Berawa to get my hair done and Think Pink for mani-pedis. I use my home gym that’s complete with equipment from PrimaFit, but sometimes visit the local gym, Victory Gym, in Pererenan.
Favourite clothing label in Bali?
Bamboo Blonde, Story of a Memory, Lost in Paradise, Somewhere and Tulola for jewellery.
Favourite beach or sunset spot?
Naked Coconut in Berawa, Cafe Del Mar and La Brisa.
Best restaurants in Bali?
Indigo and One Eyed Jack for Japanese food, Warung Heboh for cheap but yummy Indonesian food, and Jemme for a Sunday roast.
Tell us three of your top tourist recommendations.
Tulamben for diving, hiking Mount Batur and Nusa Lembongan/Nusa Ceningan.
Which brand are you most renowned for, or proud to be associated with?
I have been working in the modelling industry in Bali and Jakarta and most recently, I have acted in two movies called ‘Dignitate’ and ‘Antares’ (coming soon), to be streamed on WeTV and Iflix.
Thank you for your time, beautiful Bali models. And thank you to Bali Starz modelling agency!
