Fashionisto Exclusive: “The Man Behind the Model” | The Models of Unsigned Management
Photographer Grant Smith is the creative voice behind our latest exclusive. Putting the spotlight, on bright talent from Unsigned Management, who were scouted by Cesar Perin (CesarPerinScout), Smith shares his inspiration for the feature, expressing, “During my career I’ve witnessed models transform themselves into blank canvases for the purpose of fashion and art, whilst doing so, lose who they are. I’ve always wondered, who’s the person behind the face? Why do they do what they do? What’s their life like away from the catwalk and flashing lights? Who are they?”
Collaborating with Vanessa Keys, who interviewed the models, Smith captures a candid look at nine Unsigned Management models, shooting them in their own wardrobe. / Production by Chimere Cisse (Unsigned Management).
Q&A: Alexander Beck
When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them:
I’m a gold fish farmer, they’re always surprised.
The story of how I got discovered:
Started in a bookshop when Cesar Perin (Unsigned Model Shout) ran over to me.
My most important relationship:
Is with my mother agency Unsigned, I owe everything to them.
My favourite feature is:
My height, even at the back of a room, I always have a clear view.
My least favourite feature is:
My nose.
The last time I saw the sunset was:
Last night with a few beers.
My friends think I’m:
Rich.
My greatest career high to date is:
Doing the Uniqlo campaign when the NYC flagship store opened.
Q&A: George Elliott
When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them… (and their reaction is)…
It depends who I’m speaking to, but mostly people just enquire what it’s like to do this job, and how I got into it.
Cafe fry up or breakfast at The Wolseley?
Definitely a cafe fry up.
My favorite feature is my… (and why)
Probably my skin, I tan really easily and have fortunately never really had to worry about spots.
My least favorite feature is my… (and why)
Not too sure, I’m pretty content! Although my ears do have a slight Dumbo resemblance.
When I was 16…
I was studying and certainly didn’t think I’d be doing this a few years on.
The last time I saw the sunrise…
Was on holiday in Ibiza after a night clubbing…spectacular views.
For me, beauty means…
In physical form, anything that’s easy on the eyes.
My greatest career high to date is…
Flying to LA for a shoot on the beach…something I would never have had the chance to do at this age, if it wasn’t for my job.
Q&A: Callum Rockall
When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them… (and their reaction is)…
I tell them that I am a model. Their reaction is usually surprised but they think it’s really cool
The story of how I got discovered is…
I got scouted when I went to see Unsigned MGMT with my Mum. My brother was already a model with Unsigned MGMT and we had been invited around to meet everybody. When Cesar opened the door he said that I had to be a model.
The most famous person I’ve met…
The most famous person that I have met would have to be Will Smith backstage when I walked for Lanvin.
The worst piece of advice I’ve been given is…
Being told that English literature A-Level would be a walk in the park 😉
My most important relationship is with…
My most important relationship is with my family. I think that it is always important in any walk of life to have their support.
My brother is…
Haydn Rockall
My greatest career high to date is…
Walking for Topman in my first season. It was my first show which made it really special and Topman is such a high street giant which everybody knows about, so it was a huge buzz to represent them.
Being a model…
Is such a great opportunity to have. You get to travel the world and meet new people. I am very grateful for the opportunity which was given to me.
Q&A: Haydn Rockall
When people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them… (and their reaction is)…
I say that I do a bit of modeling and people are like that’s cool. Then they tend to ask who’ve I’ve worked for and where I have travelled to. Most like the idea and it’s cool to say to people that you have the opportunity to work with some cool brands.
The story of how I got discovered is…
I was on a night out with some friends in Shoreditch/Liverpool Street and I was buying some chewing gum in a local Tesco store. I was scouted by Cesar Perin from Unsigned MGMT whilst in the store who gave me his card and told me to get in touch…crazy but true.
The most famous person I have met:
Has to be David Beckham or Harry Styles. I met David Beckham at The Global Fund fashion event back in September that Unsigned produced. I also met Harry Styles twice, once filming in outside the Unsigned townhouse in Shoreditch and again after the Burberry SS14 Show.
The worst piece of advice I’ve been given is…
I’m not sure about the worst piece of advice, but I’d say that it is important to stay true to yourself and not to be manipulated into somebody that you don’t won’t to be or who others want you to be.
My most important relationship is with…
I’d say my most important relationship is with my friends and family. Maintaining contact with a group of close knit friends and having the support of my family is important to me.
Breakfast at the Wolseley or café fry up?
Breakfast at the Wolseley any day. Not the biggest fan of a fry up 🙁
Greatest career highlight?
My greatest career highlight has to be walking exclusively for Burberry in their SS14 womenswear show back in September and being surrounded by top models like Cara Delevingne, Jourdan Dunn and Malaika Firth. It was also my first ever show and my first job as a model. Definitely one of the best days of my life…topped off by attending The Global Fund party hosted by Anna Wintour in London last year–an incredible evening.
Being a model…
Being a model has it’s up’s and down’s but it is a fantastic opportunity to work and travel. I think that it’s important to enjoy all the experiences and be grateful for the opportunities. Can’t thank the guys at Unsigned MGMT enough for the opportunity to experience the roller coaster ride that being a model is….watch this space!
