Portrait

#StaySafeAtHomeWith ... Tamsir Thiam

Brescia, 14 April 2020

Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?

I’m a chill guy, always relaxed. I’m very open minded and always ready to learn from what is around me. That’s probably the reason why I don’t talk too much. I’m a model and that gave me the opportunity to travel the world, meet a lot of people, cultures and places and it really helped me to grow a lot. It’s not just a job like I thought when I just started, it’s more like a lifestyle. 

Who would you confine with?

My family. I’m appreciating this time because I wasn’t able to spend this much time with them before.

 

What's your work-from-home style?

It’s getting hot so sometimes I just wear pants. In the evening I’ll throw on a T-shirt.

 Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).

I grew up playing basketball but as we can’t go play outside I play 2K now.

 

What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?

I’ll probably go see some of my friends.

 Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?

All my friends!

Tamsir is represented by Independent Model Management

interviewed by Lily Templeton

&

captured by Allan Hamitouche

…

Production by Michaël Marson

Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting

#StaySafeAtHomeWith ... Doeke Smulders

The Hague, 9th April 2020

Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?

I'm Doeke, I’m trying to do my exams this year but due to corona it's all a bit complicated, and besides my school I’m spending the rest of my time playing sports and hanging out with friends.

 

Who would you confine with?

The perfect quarantine confinement would be with a few of my friends in a house with a big garden so we can sit in the sun all day long. 

What's your work-from-home style?

My work-from-home style is sitting in the sun with school work and study till I'm exhausted.

 

Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).

I love playing hockey or soccer. Also I've played guitar since I was about 7, I've worked in a carwash for a while but found out pretty soon that it wasn't a job for me.

 What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?

We have a tradition in The Hague to go to Chersonissos (Crete) when the exams are finished, which is always an amazing trip. So when we can travel again I'd love to go there with my friends.

Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?

Well I wouldn't mind skyping with Scarlett Johansson ;-p

Doeke is represented by KNOWN Model Management

interviewed by Lily Templeton

&

captured by Allan Hamitouche

…

Production by Michaël Marson

Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting

#StaySafeAtHomeWith ... Dominik Sadoch

New York, 16 April 2020

Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?

I’m positive thinking, grateful, mostly happy watching the movie that is life. I work as a model.

 

Who would you confine with?

My boyfriend or my best friends.

 What's your work-from-home style?

Boxers and an open shirt. And probably socks too, because I don’t like my feet cold.

 

Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).

I’m a very good listener, I think I give great prep talks and I can bring people back to Earth when needed.

 What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?

Well... Europe. Warsaw first. Since I’m in New York since couple of months, it’s already been a while that I haven’t see my friends and family over there.

 Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?

I always have a problem with such questions and I’m thinking of a smaller circle so it’s a tough choice! But Cate Blanchett, Jennifer Lawrence, Cookie Mueller and Timothée Chalamet could be fun. Oh, and Billie Eilish.

Dominik is represented by As Management

interviewed by Lily Templeton

&

captured by Allan Hamitouche

…

Production by Michaël Marson

Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting

#StaySafeAtHomeWith ... Najib Abdi

Paris, 13th April 2020

Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?

I’m Najib from Somalia, but I moved when I was 15 years old. I lived in Italy as a refugee and then moved to Paris. I actually don’t have any professional skills but I work different jobs like sewing tutorials, at a restaurant, … and now I work at the same time with my designer friends, just to learn something.

 

Who would you confine with?

With my brothers and some of my friends.

 What's your work-from-home style?

I wake up early in the morning. During these days I draw a lot whilst watching Netflix and cooking.

 

Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).

I do photography and dance, and I’m interested in all things vintage.

What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?

The first place I’d want to go to when this is over would be Italy I think.

 

Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?

I think it was last week, me and my friends did a home-drink over Skype. Really, it was a lot of fun.

Najib is represented by The Claw Models

interviewed by Lily Templeton

&

captured by Allan Hamitouche

…

Production by Michaël Marson

Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting

#StaySafeAtHomeWith ... Valentin Humbroich

Hamburg, 12 April 2020

Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?

My name is Valentin Humbroich, I’m 21 years old and I’m from Hamburg, Germany.  I started modeling two years ago and I’m doing it as a full time job since I left school one year ago. For me modeling is not just about being ‘pretty’ but rather about getting into a different role for every shoot. Modeling has a lot of different kind of aspects and every set has its unique look and vibe that you have to adopt. Every shooting is a project by its own and a lot of different kind of people from all around the world come together and create something. 

Who would you confine with?

My brother Laszlo. He is one year younger then me and if I wouldn’t have him during these times I would’ve probably already gone crazy.

 What's your work-from-home style?

As a model there is not a lot of work which you can do from home. I had one online shooting and I’m doing some exercises do keep me fit.

 

Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).

Before I started modeling I worked at an ice cream store and I did an exchange year to Brazil for one year.

 

What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?

I would love to go to New York again like I did last summer.

 

Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?

One of my dead grand parents.

Valentin is represented by IMG

interviewed by Lily Templeton

&

captured by Allan Hamitouche

…

Production by Michaël Marson

Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting

#StaySafeAtHomeWith ... Ben Allen

London, 8th April 2020

Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?

I am a 24 year old from South East London. Half American, Quarter English, Quarter Australian. I’m a model of almost 10 years (yikes) and actor in training. I love my job, I’m always thankful for the places it has taken me, the wonderful friends/girlfriend of 4 years I have and the opportunities to work with people I consider genius.

Who would you confine with?

My girlfriend Lexi. We are split to be closer to our families, so she is back in America and I’m in London. We are used to distance and time apart through our work, but not having an end date in lockdown restrictions and not really knowing how long it will be until it’s safe and responsible to travel again is tough, but it is a small hardship compared to what many are experiencing now. My heart goes out to all those nurses and doctors working so diligently, saving lives whilst risking their own, to return home at the end of these unimaginable days and not be able to touch your partner or children. I can’t even imagine what they are going through.

 What's your work-from-home style?

I’m fortunate to have a house that backs on to a small private wood with a tennis court - so I’ve been playing tennis everyday with my friend Kit who has moved in for lockdown. Begin the day with early tennis, once done we get some music on (radiooooo.com and NTS have really kept me sane the past few weeks), get breakfast going and start the day. If I have lines to learn for acting classes I’ll read through them in the garden, if not I may read a book, do some gardening. Whatever allows me to savor the beautiful springtime we’ve been blessed with in London this year. It’s been great having a friend move in for this period, we’ve cooked everyday. Watched some fantastic movies. I’m now obsessed with the Safdie Brothers. I’ve gone on many walks with my mum, which has been special. Time can move so fast, juggling all the elements of the modern lives we lead. Having moved out of my mums house 2 years ago and spending time in Denver with Lexi or generally on the road with work - our moments together, naturally, have become invaluable. So to have had all this time together the past few weeks has been so precious to me. I imagine many of us post-lockdown will reevaluate what elements of our lives, truly, mean the most to us. I definitely will be. I’ve been writing some of these thoughts every night before bed to look back upon, when the routines of old and the craziness that comes with that, ensues again.

 Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).

Well currently, I’m doing acting lessons in London (even during the lockdown we have classes on Zoom!) and for the past few months, I have been working towards launching a knitwear line. A fun fact about me - due to terrible 16 year judgment of the Caribbean tide patterns, I found myself drifting out to the Atlantic Ocean on a paddleboard. Some 20 minutes later, to my life-continuing relief, I spot a figure on the horizon coming to my rescue - it was Bryan Adams, Mr Summer of ’69 himself. I laid flat on my board, exhausted and exasperated, as he paddled the two of us back to shore and to the safety of solid ground. That is how Bryan Adams saved my life. You can’t make this shit up.

 What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?

My favorite restaurant and my favorite pub.

 Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?

Dave Chappelle, Salvador Dali, Anthony Bourdain, Gucci Mane, Karl Marx.

Ben is represented by Select Model London

interviewed by Lily Templeton

&

captured by Allan Hamitouche

…

Production by Michaël Marson

Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting

#StaySafeAtHomeWith ... Chunjie Liu

Zhejiang, 9th April 2020

Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?

I’m Chunjie, a fashion model from China and a university student majored in interior design.

 Who would you confine with?

My family.

 

What's your work-from-home style?

Pajamas ? Something comfortable. 

Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).

I’m a minimalist; I want to keep everything simple in my life. I have a plan to open a supermarket. Because I always feel happy when I see some delicious food or drinks. It may seems a bit silly but I think it will be fun :)

What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?

NYC? It’s time to work !

 

Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?

My mom, since I stay with my dad and she’s working in another city. We make video calls 3 times a day. And some friends too.

Chunjie Liu is represented by Uno Models

interviewed by Lily Templeton

&

captured by Allan Hamitouche

…

Production by Michaël Marson

Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting

,

#StaySafeAtHomeWith ... Félix Gesnouin

,

Saint-Fargeau Ponthierry, 9th April 2020

Who are you (the long answer, no cheating by just giving your name!) and what is your profession (as in, how do you define it, rather than just the job title it has)?

Hi, I’m Felix. I’m 28 years old.  I’m a set designer based in Paris. I practice a lot of rock-climbing and I spend most of my free time dancing and enjoying life. I’ve also been modeling for about 10 years now. 

Who would you confine with?

I’ve been confined with my (dramatically opposite in everyway) brother, which has been going astonishingly well. I would prefer having my rock-climbing partner/DJ.

 What's your work-from-home style?

To be honest I’ve been wearing swim shorts for the last 2 weeks. I’ve also been wearing a cowboy hat and loose tank top, to channel the Florida in me.

Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume (a secret skill, a hobby, a previous job or fun fact about you).

I’m a trained circus clown (no jokes). I’m also addicted to terrible eurodance at the moment, but I’m working on it.

 

What's the first place you'd want to go when it's safe again to travel and go out?

Beach àClubbing àbeach àmore clubbing à…

 Who is in your fantasy Zoom party (Skype or FaceTime)?

Probably one were all my friends are pretending to be on Zoom Party but we are actually all in the same house and when it all ends we have drinks in real life. Or at the Berghain.

Felix is represented by Success Models

interviewed by Lily Templeton

&

captured by Allan Hamitouche

via video cam

…

Production by Michaël Marson

Casting director William Lhoest at WL Casting

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