An aspiring photographer friend took pictures of paulina porizkova and sent them to the Elite modeling agency in 1980, hoping they would notice her own photography skills. However, instead of taking the photographer on board, Elite head John Casablancas noticed Porizkova's attractiveness and potential, and offered her a ticket to Paris. At 5 feet 10 1/2 inches (180 cm), she was the perfect height for a fashion model - it was a tempting offer for a teenager who was eager to get out of Sweden and to support herself.