For a model, working for GUESS is one of those dream assignments—the job that instantly adds oomph to your portfolio. Alberta’s Danielle Knudson is the face of their Spring 2014 campaign, and we spoke with her about modelling for the iconic brand, her childhood in Red Deer and more.

SDTC: What’s it like to be a GUESS model? To work with such an iconic brand?
DK: To be a GUESS model is a dream come true for me, definitely! I can remember, as a child, always looking at the GUESS store and seeing the ads and saying,  “Wow, it’s such a timeless, iconic, sexy brand.” I’ve always loved it.

SDTC: You grew up in Red Deer, Alberta. What did life look like there as a young teen? We picture horses and mountains, are we right?

DK: Growing up in Red Deer, for me as a teen, was all about sports. I was the biggest tom boy; I figure skated and freestyle skied. Typical Canadian sports. I grew up only a few hours away from Banff so I was always skiing and hiking through the mountains.

SDTC: Where are you living now and what words would you use to describe the biggest changes in your life?

DK: I’m currently living in New York. The changes in my life, words can’t even describe—I feel so happy and so excited and so grateful!

SDTC: How did you get discovered as a model?

DK: I was scouted when I was 8 years old at a silent auction with my mom in Red Deer .

SDTC: What are some industry beauty must-haves?

DK:  YSL mascara , a good bronzer and an amazing face wash. I love Kate Somerville from Sephora.  And I’m obsessed  with my Benefit highlighter.

SDTC: When you’re not working, what does a perfect Saturday look like to you?
DK: A perfect Saturday for me is sleeping in, catching up on some of my fave shows (American Horror Story and Sons of Anarchy ) and then going out for dinner and wine with my friends. I am a simple evening kinda girl!

SDTC: What three individuals (alive or dead) do you look up to as style icons?
DK: I definitely look up to the one and only Beyoncé. Everything about her is inspiring: her style, her work, her music ! Her new album is amazing! I am also obsessed with Victoria Beckham, I would love to raid her closet. And also her husband David Beckham, I love his style—that effortless-but-still-styled guy look ,and then he always knows how to dress it up with the perfect suit.

SDTC: What do you love most about fashion?
DK: What I love most about fashion is how it’s always changing, and living in NY I can still rock a tomboy chic look or go a little more girly for a night out on the town.

SDTC: If you weren’t a model, what career path would you maybe have taken?
DK: If I wasn’t modelling, I would be in school for interior design.

SDTC: Three things that make you happy? 
DK: I have a few:
Family
Friends/animals
My job
And hot sauce. I put hot sauce on everything I eat.

SDTC: Lastly, what pieces in the GUESS SS14 collection do you love most?
DK: Everything was so sexy , but there was this pair of leather overalls that I’m obsessed with—they are so hot !!!