On the catwalk at 57: GDR model celebrates comeback

New beginning in the West

On November 9, 1989, the Wall came down. One day later, Anja traveled west. "I got on the train on the 10th and was in Wiesbaden on November 11th." There she finds work again at the Sparkasse bank. Modeling becomes a distant prospect. She had actually wanted to model on the side, as she used to do in the GDR. But that didn't work so easily in the West. "At some point, I was too old for it," she says looking back.

For many years, modeling remained just a side note. Kossiwakis worked, had children and later became more involved with fashion again as a fashion blogger. She writes, photographs and attends Fashion Week in Paris. There she made contacts with designers, photographers and models.

Early end to casting show - kick-start for modeling career

Kossiwakis' springboard back into active modeling life was the casting show GNTM. "I just thought it was cool that diversity was suddenly the order of the day," she says. Her children's enthusiasm was initially limited. Nevertheless, she decided to embark on the television adventure. "I said, oh, I'll just do it now."

Her appearance on the show remains brief, but attracts attention. One scene in particular goes viral: Anja asks Heidi Klum if she remembers her from a previous Fashion Week and presents her with a personal photo book. Klum reacts cautiously. The moment is discussed on social media. But this is precisely the turning point. Shortly after the broadcast, the media reported on the "GDR model". Videos of her went viral, reaching millions of views.

Wiesbaden remains her home

A second career began after her GNTM exit. Catwalk jobs, campaigns and international agency contracts follow. At the beginning of 2026, Kossiwakis walks at Paris Fashion Week for the first time. Further international catwalk jobs are already planned for the summer season. The early elimination from GNTM was the best thing that could have happened to her. "I mean, Heidi kicks me out and then I'm on the catwalk in Paris and I've signed a modeling contract with one of the biggest modeling agencies in the world," she says. "So there's no bigger compliment for me."

Today, she works internationally and is booked on various markets. Her calendar fills up far beyond Germany. Nevertheless, Wiesbaden remains her focal point. "I love Paris," she says, "but this is my home."

No "little gray mouse"

Many women write to Kossiwakis, telling her about their own break-ups, about insecurity, about the feeling of being "too old" for something new. Kossiwakis therefore also sees her late career as a signal. It's inspiring to take off again in your mid-50s. "You don't have to hide and say I'm a gray mouse now," she laughs and points to her gray hair. "Well, my hair is gray now, but you can still be chic in your mid-50s and you don't have to become invisible."

Older women simply belong more in fashion, she says. "I haven't had anything done, I hardly ever wear make-up and I'm actually still the natural one from the GDR." That's exactly what convinces people.

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