Melania Trump grew up in the small town of Sevnica, Slovenia, the daughter of a car dealer and a pattern maker who spent her days sewing clothes for the family by hand. At 17, everything changed when Slovenian photographer Stane Jerko spotted her leaning against a fence outside a fashion show.

“She was tall and slim, long hair and long legs, and that’s why I found her suitable to be a photo model,” Jerko told Voice of America. “I noticed not just her good looks but also, even though it may sound strange, her inner energy.”

Melania was shy at first, but quickly grew comfortable in front of the camera.

“She was shy and reserved at first, not wanting to open herself up. But she quickly got into it and began asking questions,” Jerko recalled.

One detail from those early photos stood out for an unexpected reason.