Nafa Salvana x Diesel SS – CM

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 face of DIESEL: What makes this campaign special

DIESEL Spring/Summer Overview: Campaign, Style, Meaning

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

Starting a modelling career in Germany and internationally

Frequently asked questions about model campaigns and getting started

Nafa Salvana as the face of DIESEL: 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 stay in the memory – not because of the clothing, but because of the energy behind them.

For models looking to break into the industry, it’s worth taking a look at what requirements to become a model really 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, that means no smooth glossy worlds, but images with friction, texture and depth. The SS campaign was shot in locations that create contrast – between the luxury of high-end fashion and the raw aesthetic of urban environments. Nafa navigates this tension with a naturalness that is invaluable in front of the camera.

Those wishing to understand how international fashion shows and campaigns impact 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 can be learned. Presence cannot. Anyone interested in a career in fashion should first familiarise themselves with the basic steps to becoming a model – 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 is helpful – from the casting through to creative direction and visual language:

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

This campaign is not an isolated case. DIESEL has consistently pursued a course under Glenn Martens that repositions the brand – away from the mainstream, towards 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.

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

Campaigns like this show where a modelling 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 valid, but not final. Those who want to know which physical requirements are actually relevant will find a comprehensive overview at Model Measurements and Requirements. It is important to know: The industry has changed. The classic Minimum Height for Model Agencies is no longer the only benchmark.

More and more agencies are deliberately looking for models outside of classical norms. For all those wondering whether their look fits the standard, there are clear answers at Becoming a Model for Larger Sizes and Model Agencies without Minimum Height. The field of Becoming a Curvy Model is also growing steadily and offers real career opportunities with renowned agencies.

This is how a serious entry looks like

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

Realistically assess your own strengths and look
Research and compare reputable agencies
Have professional headshots taken
Attend casting appointments prepared and strategically
Seek and implement feedback from professionals
Patience and consistency as fundamental prerequisites

Anyone wishing 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 a casting is worthwhile – because the difference between a convincing and a forgettable performance often lies in the details.

Starting a modelling 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 make their entry into international careers. Cities such as Hamburg, Frankfurt and Berlin offer local structures that can serve as a springboard.

Those looking to start locally will find regional starting points with strong industry connections at the Modelagentur Berlin and the Modelagentur Hamburg, as well as under the topic of Model werden Frankfurt. Those wishing to look beyond Germany should find out what it means to become a model in London or 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. Catwalk and runway tips help to make the first appearance confidently.

Costs, earnings and the question of seriousness

One of the most common concerns when starting out relates to 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 up on Model Agency Paying Fees? and Model Agency Without Fees. Realistic earnings expectations can be found in 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 putting everything on the line straight away. When looking for the right agency, Serious 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, make sure to tick off the following points – a complete and professional application makes all the difference:

☐ Up-to-date, natural application photos (no heavy make-up)
☐ Current and accurate measurements and height provided
☐ A short, personal cover letter written
☐ A model portfolio or digital portfolio created
☐ Suitable agency researched and criteria checked
☐ Availability and contact details fully provided
☐ Questions about costs and contracts clarified in advance

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

Frequently asked questions about model campaigns and getting started

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

For international campaigns of big brands like DIESEL, models are usually 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 signed with a reputable agency, have a strong portfolio and regularly attend castings. Spontaneous applications to brands directly 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. They decide 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 bigger story, not just as a clothes wearer.

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

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

How long does it take to get your first modelling 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 already 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/modelagentur/ how we connect models and clients — or apply directly as a model at CM Models.