with Basia Tyrkalska / @basiainwonderland
Photography by Deja Jordan Photography
Make up: Katarina van Derham
This month we introduce a woman who is not only beautiful and smart but who was great friends with the legendary Hugh Hefner. Basia, who is Polish, moved to Germany and South Africa when she was little, has traveled the globe, and was featured on many magazine covers. No wonder she was voted a few times on the FHM Top 100 Sexiest Woman in the world list, she is the perfect mix between elegant beauty and being sensual and mysterious like only someone who looks like she lives in a Bond movie can be.
Basia, such an absolute honor to have you on FHM! What are your plans for the second half of the year for you? Thank you for having me on the cover. 2022 career-wise started right when I received the news, I will be featured on the cover of FHM UK, so exciting!2022 is already action-packed and cannot be more thrilled to share this experience with your readers. I would love this year to be filled with pure happiness, true love, best of health, and success. I have a few shoots planned in LA and France, with some of the most epic photographers so I am super excited, hopefully, some more covers and other interesting projects that are game-changing.
What are you currently busy working on? Since I finished my honors in Economics, I am finally putting it into good use and currently, I am working in the commodity market space. I used to be involved in property development which I am very passionate about and would love to get into that again. I want to launch a product this year and it could be ground-breaking in the NFT space. I am working closely with Magic City Films, which developed the idea of a digital version of James Dean in a movie that made the world go crazy on several high concept ideas.
Who would you say are your biggest influences in the industry? I wouldn’t say I have the biggest influences in the industry. I appreciate the people behind the scenes that make the shoots, the movies come together. I lived in LA, so was blessed to have met and partied with A-listers. The only influence and competition should be with yourself, just do your best and strive to be a better person in all aspects of your life. For me in this industry it’s all about being creative, I love shooting, I love creating.
What would you say is your signature look? Most of the time I am in jeans, a white t-shirt, and a cap… I walk a lot so I am mostly in trainers, but I love high heels. And for the evening I love to dress up from time to time.
What is the fastest way to get a smile on your face? Diamonds – they are a girl’s best friend… no, just joking… a puppy, dogs are the fastest way to make me smile. I love dogs they have more emotional intelligence than some humans. I am a big activist for animal welfare worldwide. With what is happening in Ukraine the worst of human behaviors is on display again. It is heartbreaking.
What are some of your favorite outdoor activities? I love walking and hiking – when I am in a new place just exploring, love the ocean and the mountains. Something about the ocean that is just endless and makes you forget all the worries in the world.
3 ultimate deal-breakers when it comes to men? Only 3? Just joking … Dishonesty, cheating, someone that lacks empathy I think when it comes to relationships it is pretty simple, it is all about honesty, loyalty, trust, and respect. Don’t do unto others what you don’t want others to do unto you.
Talk to us about your favorite places to visit and why? Los Angeles, I was blessed to have lived there most of the year for some time and I just love that place. It feels like home. I know amazing people there, that are like my family and have the best interest at heart for me. Looking forward to going back later this year for my projects. Monaco, that’s my current place, I love the architecture, just love walking around there. The history, the classical beauty and they have the best pizza at Miami Plage. The third-place… hmmm… some island somewhere soaking up the sun, translucent turquoise warm water with amazing sunsets. My parents live in South Africa, and I must say the bushveld, safari is always one of my favorites as well. But one of my favorite places is to be in bed and watching a good tv series, loving Yellowstone and Formula 1: Drive to survive.
Top 3 myth busters when it comes to models? I would say that the perception is that all models are unintelligent and that you have to be super tall to be a model … and yes, I can count but I can only think of 2.
What is the best way to approach you as an admirer? Just approach, be yourself, and be respectful.
Where can our readers catch up with you and stay updated with your work? Even though I am on Instagram I hardly ever post any of my work but maybe I will change that, my current Instagram is @basia.in.wonderland.
We are so happy to have gotten to know you a little bit! Any last words out there for our readers? The pleasure was mine. Thank you for this incredible opportunity. I will see you soon.
