We're talking mermaids. Ariel, more specifically, as Flora speculates on whether the red headed heroine will be included in season 2 of 'Once Upon A Time.' "I just love the modern twist on fairy tales," she gushes, as Fauna smiles demurely in the background, "Fauny was just glad to see Red Riding Hood included, weren't you?"
And so it begins. The infectiously adorable twins talk amongst themselves while I politely drink my tea and wait for them to catch a breath. Suddenly I have a new found appreciation for what it must have felt like to be Elizabeth Olsen growing up with MK and A. You’re invited to the party, but you're not quite V.I.P enough to get into the private areas. That is until.. "So I hear you guys are doing a spot of modelling this season?" I ask, pretending to be casual even though we all know this is why I'm here. It's my in, and out of nowhere we're really talking..
You were approached by Polly and Charlotte after they heard about you from a friend, how did it feel to be asked to model?
Flora - Honestly? We were shocked.
Fauna - But honoured! Obviously. We're big fans of the brand and have always thought it'd be a good move to feature more sea life. I mean, look at this
(at this point they both turn to admire their surroundings - currently a lavish aquarium in a top secret London hotel. The football pitch sized tank has been equipped with the very best in undersea furnishings, and they have room service ready to prepare fresh shrimp at the drop of a hat.)
it's beautiful in here. Who wouldn't want to wear that?
Flora - I agree with Fauny, plus, we were asked to model by twins. We just couldn't turn that down.
Ah, the twin thing. Was it a big thing for you guys to work together? Or do you always come as a pair?
Flora - I wouldn't say always but.. pretty much, yeah. We grew up in the Mediterranean Sea with a big family, and when we decided to branch out it was really good for us to have each other.
Fauna - We travel alot, it's nice to always have a companion on adventures. Modelling isn't our day job (the girls work at a charity for endangered and injured seahorses) but when we were asked to do this, we knew we could only do it as a pair.
Flora - It just feels right this way.
Speaking of your modelling, rumours are flying about Fauna and Brat and Suzie model, Ziggy Wolf. Is there any truth to that?
Flora - Why do you think she liked Red Riding Hood so much? She didn't read it for the cloak!
Fauna - The truth is, I have a little bit of a crush on Ziggy. Who wouldn't? He's just so cool and.. knowledgable. But seriously, it would never work out. He's a wolf, I'm a seahorse. Where's the sense in that? Where's the middle ground?
Flora - Well if it worked for Eric and Ariel..
Changing the subject back to fashion, do you know what you'll be featured on yet? T-shirts? Dresses?
Flora - Ah, well, that would be telling, wouldn't it?
Fauna - You'll just have to wait and see like everyone else, I'm afraid. All we'll say is that it's going to be good...
At that, we wrap up the interview. The girls have plans with friends and need to get a move on, I’m told. “It’s all very Sex And The City” Fauna giggles as she shows me what she plans to wear. “We meet up, we have Underwater Cosmos, and we talk about our love lives.” Whatever they have planned for the evening, the twins look stunning, and as I’m saying goodbye they insist we meet again before their modelling gig is up. “It was lovely to meet you,“ they say in unison.
“We love making new friends!”
Flora and Fauna will be available as a part of the Brat and Suzie high summer collection.
