The Lightness of Being Tessa

Q: Hi Tessa! So nice to meet you! How are you?

A: Hi! Likewise! I’m good, how are you guys? You want some coffee?

Q: We’re fine, super excited about this interview and yes, coffee sounds good. Let’s get it started if you don’t mind?

A: Sure!

Q: So, first of all you got married pretty recently, right? Do you want to tell us something about it?

A: I could talk about my wedding an entire day (laughs). Barron proposed September 17th at Coney Island and we’ll go back there later this year. We spent 9 months in wedding planning mode and he was there for every step, which was beautiful because usually you hear the bride does everything, but he was there for absolutely everything, which made me feel even better. He really was there for the small things, like the cake tasting, and then we flew to St. Barts twice to really get all the details down to the color of the napkins. (laughs)

Q: So you had a good time planning and organizing it all?

A: Yes, definitely. Putting together this picture of our love and relationship was such an experience and it just brought us even closer together. We got married on June 3rd at the little Anglican church right by the water. We had about 92 people and I thought I wouldn’t be crying, but I was bawling. It was so magical! Afterwards, we went and had dinner, speeches and just celebrated our love.

Q: When did you guys meet?

A: We met 2½ years ago in St. Barts at Christmas, which is also why we got married there.

Q: Now, before you married Barron your name was “Tessa Gräfin Von Walderdorff”. So, you’ve got a German background?

A: Yes, my father’s side is German and they live in Regensburg, Munich, Frankfurt. My mom was born in Paris, but her side of the family is Danish and Swiss- German. We would travel each year to those different places. I was born in NY, but then I lived in St. Barts when I was a baby for about 3-4 months at a time - so that has always been a special place to me.

Q: Wow, so I suppose you speak different languages?

A: Yes, French was my first language, but also English and German. It was always a mix and I went into my first day of school speaking French to everybody. (Laughs) For college, I moved to Berlin for a year. I was always in and out of the US and Europe.

Q: So, would you call the U.S. or Europe your home?

A: I’ve got a close connection to both and call both home.

Q: Because we have already been talking about your German heritage. I read that you would keep your maiden name in Germany and become a “Hilton” in the States. Is this true?

A: We are still trying to figure that out, but yes, it is true. We’ve got this aristocratic title in Germany that is so important to my family because it represents so much of our history and we are proud of it. That’s why Barron will become a count or “Graf” as you would say it in German.

Q: Interesting! Totally get it why you are keeping the name. Now let’s move on to your career. What exactly is it that you are working on at the moment?

A: I’ve started modeling, so it’s all a little new to me. I shot the Frederick Anderson campaign and I walked in a few shows during New York Fashion Week. I’m excited to see what happens next. I am enjoying exploring this business!

Q: Sounds promising! Can you tell us some shows you participated in?

A: It started with Vivienne Hu and then Marcel Ostertag, which Barron also walked in. I loved the idea of walking for my German roots. I also walked in Augusto Manzanares and Mounton Blanc where I wore a wedding dress. Once a bride, always a bride – I guess (laughs).

Q: You have been doing quite a few different jobs for your age. Did you already know what you wanted to do with your life in college?

A: I love writing and I went to college to study literature and film. I also wanted to learn about computer science and learn how to code (laughs). I was studying philosophy and film, writing and literature of the 18th an 19th century and I was really into French, German and Russian literature. When I graduated I did not want to just work as a writer because I felt like it was a very lonely job. I was always in solitude writing. I thought of ways to collaborate with other people because I love being in company and having creative, smart, hardworking people around. I get so inspired by them. Writing is always in the background. Even though I’m pursuing a modeling career right now, writing is always there!

Q: And do you still write?

A: I still write, but on the side. I love it, but I need something else right now where I’m working with people and where I can feel a constant presence of energy and creativity.

Q: Have you published any of your writings yet?

A: No, but I’m in the process of publishing a children’s story.

Q: Oh really? How great! Are children’s books your preferred genre or what kind of writing do you do?

A: Mostly short stories. I like to find the perfect sentence and my stories are always a little weird and edgy. They are sort of in that surrealist theme with dark humor, very sarcastic. That’s my style! (laughs).

Q: That’s amazing. And you are 24, right? You’re pretty young, but you’ve already started building up your career and setting big goals. Do you feel like being a Walderdorff has made things different or even easier for you than for other young adults out there?

A: I think I was lucky because I always loved to work hard. I always wanted to get straight A’s in school and my parents always really supported me, but I wouldn’t say that my name or my heritage is why I am where I am now. In terms of fashion, my dad did backstage beauty with Allure, so I was introduced to the world of fashion and beauty naturally through him. He taught me the ins and outs of this whole fashion world. I’ve done PR, PA, and branding strategies, so I’ve seen and experienced every side from it except for modeling, but this is what I’m trying now. I guess this is why I’ve got my career set in stone because I know every part of it, so it was easier for me to realize that modeling was what I wanted to do. I am thankful for all these experiences and to my father for showing me his world.

Q: Do you sometimes feel like you get judged for your family background?

A: No! Not at all. Everyone has been super supportive.

Q: I simply have to say this: you kind of remind me of Serena Van Der Woodsen!

A: (laughs) I actually got that a lot when I was younger!

Q: Your life is pretty glamorous. You’re going to fancy events, wearing expensive dresses, and chit chatting with the high society on a regular basis. Sounds very “Gossip Girl”. Are there differences or even resemblances to the show?

A: (laughs) Biggest difference: my life is drama free. No relatives coming back from the dead – at least not yet (laughs). I haven’t watched this show in years, but I loved it. I remember there was so much drama, and that definitely isn’t an actual representation of my life. Barron and I try to keep everything pretty mellow and low-key.

Q: Because you mentioned your husband again: when did you know he was the one?

A: He actually knew before I did. He told me the first night we met that I was the one, which was so funny because he just knew.

Q: Wasn’t that scary?

A: I was laughing when he told me. We were on our way from the restaurant to the next destination and we were driving, and he took my hand and said “You know when you just know. And you are meant to be with me”. I was driving and thinking WHAT!? (laughs) We met again in New York two weeks later and then it hit me. I just knew. I don’t know how to explain it, it was just this feeling, this connection. He was this special someone, this special soul, nothing like all the others and he saw the same in me.

Q: That sounds so nice! You should get your own TV show!

A: Haha. Yes! I should write a script about it.

For the record: we would most definitely watch this show.

by Marie-Christin Tripolt