Nafa Salvana x DIESEL SS

There are campaigns that sell – and there are campaigns that say something. DIESEL’s Spring/Summer collection belongs to the latter category. With Nafa Salvana as the face, photographer Davit Giorgadze behind the camera, and Creative Director Glenn Martens as the visionary mind, a visual statement was created that goes far beyond denim and streetwear. This campaign is raw energy in image form – and Nafa is proof that real personality in front of the camera is not something that can be taught, but something that can be felt.

Overview hide

Nafa Salvana as the DIESEL face: What makes this campaign special

DIESEL Spring/Summer Overview: Campaign, Style, Meaning

The Road to Business: What You Can Take from Nafas’ Career

Starting a modeling career in Germany and internationally

Frequently asked questions about model campaigns and getting started

Nafa Salvana as the DIESEL face: What makes this campaign special

When a fashion brand like DIESEL starts a new chapter, it’s not through interchangeable faces, but through people who embody a stance. Nafa Salvana does exactly that. In an era where authenticity has become the most important currency in the fashion business, Nafa brings something that can’t be styled: real presence.

Glenn Martens – known for not simply renewing brands, but reinventing them – has developed a vision for DIESEL that celebrates contradictions. Hardness meets vulnerability. Industry meets body. Reality meets staging. Davit Giorgadze’s photography captures this tension in every frame. The result are images that remain in memory – not because of the clothing, but because of the energy behind them.

For models looking to take their first steps into the industry, it’s worth taking a look at what requirements to become a model actually mean and why personality is now at least as important as measurements.

The creative vision behind the campaign

Glenn Martens consistently works against the expectations of the fashion industry. For DIESEL, this means: no smooth glossy worlds, but images with friction, texture and depth. The SS campaign was created in locations that generate contrast – between the luxury of high-quality fashion and the rough aesthetics of urban environments. Nafa navigates this tension with a naturalness that is invaluable in front of the camera.

Who wants to understand how international fashion shows and campaigns affect a model’s career will find important contextual information at the Big 4 Fashion Weeks and the dates of the Milan Fashion Week.

What Models Can Learn from Nafa

Nafa shows that the difference between a good and an exceptional model does not lie in perfection, but in the ability to convey energy. Pose is learnable. Presence is not. Anyone interested in a career in fashion should first familiarize themselves with the basic Become a model steps – and then work on understanding their own personality as their strongest asset.

“The face is the first thing you forget. The energy is what you remember.”

DIESEL Spring/Summer Overview: Campaign, Style, Meaning

To understand the significance of this campaign, a structured look at the most important elements helps – from the casting through the creative direction to the visual language:

Element	Details	Meaning for the Industry
Face of Campaign	Nafa Salvana	Authenticity over Perfection
Photography	Davit Giorgadze	Rough, cinematic visual language
Creative Direction	Glenn Martens	Anti-aesthetics as a statement
Collection	Spring/Summer	Body-conscious, powerful silhouettes
Core Message	Self-determination & Attitude	Fashion as a political statement
Target Group	Generation Z & Millennials	Value shift in fashion consumer behavior

This campaign is not an isolated case. DIESEL has consistently pursued a course under Glenn Martens that repositions the brand – away from the mainstream, toward an audience that sees fashion as an expression of identity. Those who want to follow the international developments in fashion will find current insights into the most important global stages at the New York Fashion Week and the Paris Fashion Week.

[crp limit="2"]

The Road to Business: What You Can Take from Nafas’ Career

Campaigns like this show where a modeling career can lead – but they don’t show what the journey looks like. The start is usually more sober than the finished images suggest. It begins with realistic self-assessment, the right agency, and an understanding of what the industry really demands.

Measurements, Size and What Really Matters

The question of measurements is justified, but not final. Those who want to know which physical requirements are actually relevant will find a comprehensive overview at Model measurements and requirements. Important to know: The industry has changed. The classic minimum height for a model agency is no longer the only benchmark.

More and more agencies are specifically looking for models outside of classical norms. For all who wonder whether their look fits the standard, there are clear answers at become a model for larger sizes and model agency without minimum height. The field of become a curvy model is also growing continuously and offers real career opportunities with renowned agencies.

This is how a serious entry looks like

A sustainable entry into the modeling industry follows a clear logic. Those who know the right steps save time and money and avoid typical beginner mistakes:

Realistically assess your own strengths and look
Research and compare serious agencies
Have professional headshots taken
Attend casting appointments purposefully and prepared
Seek and implement feedback from professionals
Patience and consistency as basic requirements

Anyone who wants to take the step towards a professional agency will find all relevant information about the application process at Casting bei CM Models. In addition, reading about preparing for casting is worthwhile – because the difference between a convincing and a forgettable performance often lies in the details.

Starting a modeling career in Germany and internationally

Germany has established itself as a solid player in the international fashion industry. The Fashion Week Berlin has enabled numerous models to take their first steps into international careers. Cities such as Hamburg, Frankfurt and Berlin offer local structures that can serve as a springboard.

Those who want to start locally will find regional starting points with strong industry networking at the Model agency Berlin and the Model agency Hamburg, as well as with the topic of Become a model in Frankfurt. Those who want to look beyond Germany should find out what it means to Become a model in London or Become a model in New York – two of the most important markets worldwide.

For the London Fashion Week and international runways: only those who are well prepared and bring a strong Model portfolio for casting will be noticed in the long term. Runway and catwalk tips help to make the first appearance confidently.

Costs, earnings and the question of seriousness

One of the most common uncertainties when getting started concerns the topic of money. Do I have to pay an agency? What do I really earn? Reputable agencies do not charge upfront fees – those who want to know more can read about Model agency – paying money? and Model agency without fees. Realistic earnings expectations are provided by How much does a model earn?

For many, the start is initially a side project – Modeling as a side job is a viable and often recommended way to get to know the industry without immediately putting everything on the line. When looking for the right agency, reputable model agency criteria and an overview of the Top 10 model agencies can help. Those who want to make initial contact can find practical tips on the topic of Contacting a model agency as well as with the German fashion designers who regularly work with agencies.

Your application checklist

Before you apply, you should check off the following points – a complete and professional application makes all the difference:

☐ Current, natural application photos (no heavy makeup)
☐ Current and correct measurements and height provided
☐ A short, personal cover letter written
☐ Model portfolio or digital portfolio created
☐ Suitable agency researched and criteria checked
☐ Availability and contact information fully provided
☐ Questions about costs and contract clarified in advance

If you’re ready to take the next step, then apply now – and show what makes you unique.

Frequently asked questions about model campaigns and getting started

How do you get cast for a brand campaign like DIESEL?

For international campaigns of major brands like DIESEL, models are typically approached directly through established agencies. The casting process is handled internally by the creative team in collaboration with the agency. As a model, the most important step is to be under contract with a reputable agency, have a strong portfolio, and regularly attend castings. Spontaneous applications directly to brands are uncommon and not very promising in this segment.

What role does a Creative Director play in a campaign?

The Creative Director is the overarching vision behind a campaign. He decides on the visual language, casting, locations, styling, and the overall message. Glenn Martens, for example, has redefined DIESEL as a brand – this is reflected in every campaign. For models, this means: Those who work with a strong Creative Director are often told as part of a larger story, not just as clothing wearers.

Do I have to live in a big city to become a model?

No, but the proximity to an active fashion market significantly facilitates entry. Cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, London, and New York offer the densest agency and casting structures. However, many models start locally and build their careers from there. The key is the agency, not the place of residence – those under contract with a well-connected agency can be booked for international jobs even from smaller cities.

How long does it take to get your first modeling jobs?

This varies greatly from person to person. Those who are well-prepared for their first casting, bring a convincing portfolio, and have the right look for the market can get their first bookings within a few weeks. Realistically, however, building a stable career takes months to years. Regular participation in castings, openness to feedback, and continuous development are the most important factors for long-term success.

More about professional model work: Find out on cmmodels.de/modelagency/ how we connect models and clients — or apply directly as a model at CM Models.