Alistair McDonald, Oskari Nyyssölä, Sam Heijblom and Jamie McVay : Notion Magazine
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Meet the models: we sit down with the boys of
SUPA in As You Are
We get to know the men behind the faces in our new editorial.
In the fashion world there’s plenty of familiar faces, but more often that not, we don’t know very much about the people behind them. It’s not just the Hadids and Jenners whose backstories add colour to their modelling work, in a new editorial shot by Karl Slater; we got to know some of our favourite new male models from SUPA Model Management.
So if you’ve ever gazed up at a billboard and wondered about what the model staring down at you likes to eat for breakfast or who that boy on the catwalk likes to listen to in his down time, this one’s for you. After all, there’s more to models than just a pretty face.
Alistair McDonald
Age: 19
Birthplace: Chorley
How were you discovered?
I was on a night out in Manchester and a model came up to me and asked me if I’d be interested. The girl I was with had been scouted before so I assumed he was speaking to her.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Having to opportunity to work in Tokyo.
What’s the funniest thing a client’s asked you to?
There was one editorial where they put a lot of weird makeup on me. It’s hard to describe but there’s a few people at castings that call me Ronald McDonald now. My friends from home have found the pictures as well so it’s not safe to go back!
What’s your dream booking and why?
Off-White, because I love the style of the clothing but can’t afford it so I’d be grafting for a discount the whole time.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon and why?
I’m not really that into fashion but probably Kanye West, he’s really brought streetwear more into the mainstream with the popularisation of ‘hypebeast’ culture, and helped to promote a lot of other brands along the way.
What is the best piece of advice you were ever given?
“Say what you believe”, cliché but crucial in my opinion.
What item of clothing could you not live without and why?
Nice socks.
How do you keep fit?
Fried chicken and prayers.
What’s you favourite food?
Chicken burgers from the Fish and Chicken shop in Shadwell. If you know, you know.
What your favourite style of music?
Classic rock/indie/grime – depends on the mood.
Two favourite bands/artists that you’re listening to right now?
Hard to choose two, but Oasis and a band from Chorley called Three Day Weekend, really raw and refreshing sound, highly recommend.
All time music faves and why you like them?
Pink Floyd, without a doubt the best band of all time. Their music is introspective and creates a unique atmosphere.
If you were an animal what would you be and why?
A panda so I could just chill out and eat bamboo all day.
Oskari Nyyssölä
Age: 22
Birthplace: Vantaa, Finland
How were you discovered?
I was scouted by a photographer in a bar.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Last November I got to dance with a french ballerina in a video for Sony that we shot in Japan. I was honoured!
What’s the funniest thing a client has asked you to?
I was asked to play with hula hoops wearing a full body spandex costume and high heels. I’d say that was quite funny but of course, it was super awesome at the same time!
What’s your dream booking and why?
I’d love to be booked for a job in China! I’ve never been there and it seems like a fascinating place.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon and why?
I can’t really name one person. I admire people who manage to pull off a crazy outfit, something that doesn’t make any sense, but for some reason looks amazing! That requires loads of creativity.
What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Love and be loved.
What item of clothing could you not live without and why?
Fashion comes and goes, but I wouldn’t like to see a day without my ugly slippers that I use at home. They are super comfortable. Life without ugly slippers is no life.
How do you keep fit?
As a professional dancer I exercise daily.
What’s you favourite food?
Anything I haven’t cooked myself.
What your favourite style of music?
Classical perhaps, but I listen to all kinds!
Two favourite bands/artists they you listening to right now?
Jean Sibelius and Arctic Monkeys.
All time music faves and why you like them?
Arctic Monkeys. They’ve always been badass, and they still are badass.
If you were an animal what would you be and why?
Maybe some kind of a bird because flying you know. Not much happens in a bird brain tho.. But I’d still get to fly!
Sam Jonah Heijblom
Age: 20
Birthplace: Breda, The Netherlands
How were you discovered?
I was scouted on Pukkelpop Festival in Belgium.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
My first show ever was my best experience so far. I did the Versace AW17 show in Milan. I loved the spacey clothes and music!
What’s the funniest thing a client has asked you to?
Once I had to make a video and the photographer asked me to repeat my name a lot of times with different voices. It was really awkward and strange, but when I think back it was funny too.
What’s your dream booking and why?
I would love to work for Palace London. I really like their clothes.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon and why?
Donatella Versace. She has a really strong personal style and is super friendly too.
What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
To always be yourself, I don’t like to misrepresent myself.
What item of clothing could you not live without and why?
My grandfathers ring. I wear it every day and I got it from my grandmother when my grandfather passed away. The ring makes me think of him every day.
How do you keep fit?
I
do some workouts and jogging almost every day.
What’s your favourite food?
I don’t have favourite food. I like everything as long as it is healthy and tasteful!
What your favourite style of music?
I like a lot of music styles, but for partying I prefer techno and disco music.
Two favourite bands/artists you are listening to right now?
Daniel Avery and Fatima Yamaha.
All time music faves and why you like them?
I really like Daniel Avery because I had never heard this kind of music before. I don’t know what specific music genre it is, but it just sounds really cool. I would describe it as techno music with alien vibes.
If you were an animal what would you be and why?
A black panther, I like that they are rare, powerful, beautiful and intelligent. They are the hidden kings of the jungle and they don’t have to worry about getting eaten by other animals.
Jamie McVay
Age: 19
Birthplace: Edinburgh
How were you discovered?
I was scouted at Lovebox festival in 2015.
What has been the highlight to you career so far?
Doing the Adidas Spring/Summer campaign last year.
What’s the funniest thing a client has asked you to?
Once I had to act as a sculpture for an overalls company. They draped a large sheet with branding on it over me and another model and got us to create various shapes throughout the day. It felt more like a day of gymnastics than modelling.
What’s your dream booking and why?
Gucci, as they have a large amount of influence in the fashion industry right now and I like quite a few of their new designs.
Who’s your favourite fashion icon and why?
Old hip hop artists such as Big L as they represent the 90s style that I enjoy.
What’s the best piece of advice you were ever given?
Seize any opportunity you are given in life.
What item of clothing could you not live without and why?
Dickies work wear trouser as they are cheap, fit perfectly and work with most clothes I wear.
How do you keep fit?
Cycling, skateboarding and working out from home.
What’s you favourite food?
Thai cuisine.
What your favourite style of music?
Hip-hop.
Name two favourite bands/artists they you listening to right now?
The Cimarons and Masta Ace.
Music faves and why you like them?
De La Soul, I like that they’re a funky take on old school hip-hop. They were also very influential in the progression of hip-hop music.
If you were an animal what would you be and why?
I’d be an eagle so I could travel to anywhere in the world for free.