Interview! Men’s models, looks and idols

In the interview, we talk about men’s models, popular looks, but also Timothée Chalamet, who is currently a style influencer for many.

Male models like Jon Kortajarena, Anwar Hadid and Sean O’Pry work for big brands like Armani, Ralph Lauren and Calvin Klein. You deal with advertising campaigns and shoots every day, and also with the different tastes of customers. What type is extremely popular with men’s models at the moment?

The type of male model that is in demand varies. There is fashion and advertising.

Men’s models at Fashion Week: skinny + young

Stephan Czaja (CM): When we talk about fashion, or haute couture, new collections, fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, London, the fashion cities. Generally speaking, I would say young, almost “young” looking 17-21 years old, relatively thin or “skinny”, without a beard and almost always freshly shaved. The models are diverse, African, Asian, European, all looks. The “skills” don’t have to be that trained, a cool look is often enough. Typical Calvin Klein perfume advertising, as if the model “doesn’t care about anything. Fashion stands for new things and accordingly “new” faces are always being sought.

Men’s models in advertising: cool, athletic + smiling

Stephan Czaja (CM): In advertising, men tend to be more distinctive, depending on the target group. Let’s say from the skinny 17-year-old at the fashion show to the athletic man, successful, 3-day beard, a great smile. A career in advertising starts from the age of 19, up to 25, depending on the type. Ultimately, advertising always sells a certain attitude to life, or the “good life” or lifestyle. That’s why “ability” is all the more important. A cool look is no longer enough. Whether it’s a travel campaign, the latest smartphone, fashion, etc., emotions and practiced posing (posture) and facial expressions are needed

Long-term success as male models

Stephan Czaja (CM): The better the male model, the faster the production, the more successfuly the planned goals of the photo shoot are achieved. Looks really only come second. You can only get good jobs and big clients if you prove to your management that they can trust the model. This means being punctual for jobs, attending casting appointments on time, working together professionally on the first small jobs on set, etc.

These are the most successful models in the industry.

How long can you work as a male model?

Stephan Czaja (CM): If you like the modeling job, i.e. castings, photo shoots, travel, all doors are open to you, even as you get older. It’s often just important to start early, as a teenager, or at the latest as a young adult. This gives the model management time to build up and the model time to learn.

Future: Which men’s look is coming next?

Stephan Czaja (CM): Next, curvy men will increasingly appear in advertising. Hardly noticed or not noticed at all until now. Curvy women have been around for a few years now. Men with an Asian look are also a trend among marketing agencies, advertising agencies and all other clients.

Timothée Chalamet: Idol and love story

What makes a guy like Timothée Chalamet so influential for many people?

Stephan Czaja (CM): Thanks to the huge success of his films “Call Me By Your Name” and “Little Women”, Timothée Chalamet has become one of the most sought-after and successful actors in Hollywood. Whether Instagram or breakfast television. His fanbase is mainly in the TikTok / Instagram generation, under the age of 25. His public relationship with his ex-girlfriend Lily-Rose Deep in particular has made him the idol of many, as the couple were Hollywood’s dream couple during their relationship and they were also considered an absolute dream couple on social media. The two have a unique love story, as they fell in love while filming the Netflix movie “The King”. What a love story!

As a kind of “idol”, he also shapes the world of this young generation. Absolutely.

What does Timothée Chalamet wear on the red carpet? What will he post on Instagram tomorrow?

Timothée Chalamet has, simply put, the classic Armani look. Long, full hair, a beautiful smile, a great life, energy and friends. A real sunshine boy, with a striking face.

Role model man: What has changed?

How has the image of masculinity changed in recent years?

The fashion industry is moving with the general change in the typical “male image”. Men are becoming more modern, more diverse. Less “tough” and “pithy”, men also have a lot going for them, not just muscles. I think we should also mention strong characters like Riccardo Simonetti, who is also a style-defining figure, even if not primarily as a model.

What always works are the attributes that Timothée Chalamet also has. Distinctive faces, slightly taller than average, so rather 186-190cm. A charming smile, positive charisma.

The most successful male models

Jon Kortajarena – 1st place

Spanish model Jon Kortajarena is not only a successful model, but also an actor who has already appeared in many international productions and has also been starring in the Netflix hit series High Seas since 2019. As a model, he has already appeared in front of the camera for campaigns for luxury brands such as Guess and Robert Cavalli (Roberto Cavalli died 2024). He became famous with his advertising campaign for Giorgio Armani.

Anwar Hadid – 2nd place

It is impossible to imagine the catwalks of this world without model Anwar Hadid: In his career, he has already walked the catwalk for brands such as Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger Tod’s and Moschino. The little brother of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid and son of model Yolanda Hadid is not only a model, but also a successful musician and has already released several singles.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjqvzlouPmk

Sean O`Pry – 3rd place

Sean O’Pry began his modeling career back in 2006 and has since appeared in front of the camera for luxury brands such as Versace, Giorgio Armani and Marc Jacobs. The model has also walked the catwalk at Fashion Week for designers such as Louis Vuitton, Michael Kors and Chanel. Sean O’Pry is a very versatile model who is not only booked for photo shoots and shows, but also impresses with his acting skills in music videos such as Taylor Swift’s Bad Blood music video.

Store Openings: Male Models & Sexy Washboard Bellies

Abercrombie & Fitch store openings definitely go down in history. At a past store opening in Paris, the opening was celebrated by 101 male models showing off their trained torsos while posting on the streets of the megacity – exciting!

Six-pack alert in the city center! Also in Hamburg, the opening of the new flagship store left nothing to be desired. Washboard bellies and sexy winter jackets – you don’t know where to look first!

Fashion Tips: Must-Haves & Styling Inspiration

The fashion Youtuber Brandon Balfour shows in his videos again and again how to put together trendy outfits. In the following video he presents his favorite pieces from the Fall/Winter 2022 collection and gives you interesting styling tips along the way!

The coolest men’s basics from Abercrombie & Fitch and how to style these pieces best you learn here:

August James

August James. A model who is not afraid of himself. He sees the industry as a game, he becomes part of something, he can transform himself into something new in a photo shoot. All with the support of his father, and August’s essential. You should take a look at this interview, you won’t regret it.

• August’s Instagram

Being Part Of Someone Else’s Art

FIV: Self-confidence is one of the most important parts of any job, where did you get that confidence?

AUGUST: Self-confidence came over time. You learn that modeling is much more than just standing in front of a camera pretty quick. Being a part of someone else’s art and coming together with them to create something beautiful is what gave me the confidence to keep going. 

Calvin Klein 2019

To Play Different Characters

FIV: Did modelling help you to express yourself?

AUGUST: Absolutely! I got to play so many different characters with modeling. If I would be too shy to dress a certain way in real life, maybe on a shoot they would put me in some inspiring outfit that would let me express myself through this new character. 

The Game Of Social Media

FIV: We can see that you are not afraid to be yourself on social media, has that helped you to get jobs or has it been a hindrance?

AUGUST: Overall it has helped me! I view social media as a game. It’s all about knowing your audience and posting content that people want to see. 

Moschino Fall/ Winter 2018

Followers: Important or Not?

FIV: Could you say then that well-maintained social media channels are important in the model business?

AUGUST: So I have two different opinions about this. Of course social media is very important in modeling or any industry job. And brands now are using social media more and more so if you have a strong presence on social media, it would make you more valuable to get hired.

FIV: And what about less influential profiles?

AUGUST: This is the other point. I know plenty of successful models who have very little followers or no social media presence at all. I see them as the “cool kids” of the industry for not conforming to the mainstream ways. It’s all about finding your own path and staying authentic to yourself. 

Confidence In Who You Are

FIV: In your view, what is the most important feature of a model?

AUGUST: Confidence in who you are. This is a hard industry and you’ll be told “no” a lot. And having that inner confidence will help you stay true to yourself. 

Models.com

His Biggest Idol: His Dad

FIV: Do you have a role model?

AUGUST: My dad. He’s such a hard worker and provider. I really look up to his work ethic and how his values have never changed over the years of my entire life. 

August’s Dream: Casting Direction

FIV: To end, August, where do you see yourself in five years? A dream to fulfil?

AUGUST: Working in casting! I want to take my knowledge of the industry and find new talent and be a positive mentor to other models and artists.

FIV: High goals! Hopefully everything will go as you expect and you will achieve them. We will be waiting for you to become a successful Director and return to FIV! It has been a pleasure.

Richard Chai Summer/Spring 2015