Silja Midtgaard

1. We know you are from Denmark: Which city are you from and what is something you really love about there? 

 

Yes, I grew up mostly in a small town just outside Silkeborg but I was actually born in Germany and spent my early childhood in both Germany and Lithuania. When I was seven, my parents decided to move back to Denmark. It was a big transition because I was familiar with German culture and was mostly fluent in German, so from then on I always felt a little different. Looking back, I’m grateful we moved back because I got to grow up in the same country as my parents and surrounded by nature. The nature in Silkeborg is very beautiful to me. There’s something subtle and humble about the quiet lakes, heathlands, and forests. I think it will always be in that kind of nature where I will feel most at home. 

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2. Now that you’re living in Copenhagen, what has been the biggest change for you? 

 

I moved to the capital when I was 19, and the biggest change was definitely the openness I experienced here. It was here that I finally began to embrace the feeling of being different. 

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3. We are aware that you have alopecia. If you are comfortable to share, how has your condition influenced your life? 

 

Yes of course, I’d love to share because it has been, and still is, a huge part of my life. I started losing my hair when I was about 11 years old, so it affected me from a very young age and reinforced that feeling of not fitting in. Now that feeling wasn’t just on the inside but it was reflected in the way I looked to the outside world – as something different, in a way that went against society’s expectations. It’s difficult to put into words how much it has influenced my life, but in many ways it has made me feel older than my age. It has forced me to understand myself on a deeper level and to reflect on why my appearance creates friction with the world around me. 

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4. How has it influenced your modeling career? 

 

I would say I’m only getting started in my modeling career and finding the right place in the industry. Alopecia will naturally influence the direction my career takes because it makes me different. Now that I’ve joined MAP, I’m very excited to see what the future has in store. 

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5. How has your relationship with your look changed over time? 

 

I’ve spent many years learning that even though my appearance changed from a young age, I have always been the same person. When you lose your hair, it can feel like you lose your identity – but you don’t. You lose some kind of shelter. Without it, you become vulnerable, but within that vulnerability lies an incredible strength. It can challenge the people around you, but I believe it also has the power to heal. 

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6. What are your interests? Do you have any unique hobbies or creative outlets we should know about? 

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I’m deeply interested in art. I find it fascinating how art can tell us about the history and culture of its time, while also revealing the structures that shape our world. At the same time, it speaks to the most universal emotions and questions that connect us all. At the moment, I spend most of my time studying art or training. I’ve always needed to move my body, stay close to creativity, and constantly challenge my perception of the world. 

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7. How do you wish to inspire others to live their lives?

 

I hope to inspire others to be true to themselves. If the work I do as a model can help even one person to feel more comfortable embracing who they are, I would be incredibly grateful.