Tucked away in the green hills of the French Basque Country, Michelle Senzig has crafted a life that resonates deeply with Romualda’s values. As a model and mother, she moves between photoshoots, family life, and the rhythms of a farm she runs with her partner. Her aesthetic sensibility—drawn to the natural, the organic, the authentic—shapes not only her personal style but also the way she chooses the brands she works with.
In this conversation, Michelle shares how she first discovered Romualda, what it was like to collaborate with photographer Evan Lunven, and how life in nature has transformed the way she approaches fashion, time, and beauty.
How did you first discover Romualda?
I discovered the brand on Instagram and immediately loved it!
What was it like receiving the pieces and creating these beautiful images with Evan?
I was really excited about this collaboration, so I was super happy when I finally received the pieces! It felt really special.
Evan and I met not so long ago on another job, we got along very well and wanted to work together again. It was a lot of fun shooting these wonderful pieces at the farm. They perfectly fitted in the environment, that made it really easy for us to create something beautiful.
What do you look for when choosing to collaborate with a brand?
For my collaborations I always look for brands I can identify with. I need to share their values, their aesthetics. I need to feel a certain connection in order to create something with or for a brand.
How does living in the French Basque Country influence your aesthetic or the way you approach your work?
Since I live in the basque countryside my style and aesthetic changed quite a lot. I feel more attracted to natural things in general. Organic patterns, colors and shapes.
I also pay a lot more attention to the fabrics I wear, where they come from and how they’re made, that’s why I choose brands with the same values to work with.
We know you own farm called La Ferme Irougnia. Could you tell us more about it? How did the idea for the farm come about?
Of course! Our farm is located in the French Basque Country in a small village, an hour away from the coast. We sell grass fed meat directly from the farm to our clients.
We have approximately 100 cows pasturing almost all year round. The idea for the farm came from Paul, my boyfriend. When we met he already had the project but didn’t live there yet. He told me about it and I just knew that I wanted to build that place with him. It was always my dream to return to the countryside after living in Berlin for five years.
You’re also a mother. How has motherhood shaped the way you see the world—or the way you approach your work and daily life?
Motherhood humbled me more than anything. It’s the most beautiful and challenging thing I ever experienced and I still learn from it every day.
It teaches me to slow down, to reevaluate my priorities and to be the best possible version of myself. I want to be someone my kids look up to, provide them a safe space and be their best friend.
How do you imagine balancing your work in fashion with your life in nature over the long term?
For now, I have an almost perfect work life balance. Most of the time I get to shoot at home which is amazing.
As I mentioned before, the brands I usually work with share my values and love for nature which facilitates the combination of my everyday life with my work.
More and more fashion labels aspire to reconnect with nature and a slow, simple life which I’m very happy about. I feel very grateful to be a part of that!
What inspires you on a daily basis?
Nature, good food, my kids. The little things.
