The role of the male model can sometimes be a sporadic one. The percentage of female to male models within foreign model agencies is usually eighty to twenty, with fewer casting jobs for male models. Generally the male models do not hide the fact that they came into the business just simply to have fun. However, amongst the male model business there are names that have successfully fitted into the fashion industry. Aram Gevorgyan is one of them. However, by his own admission, he does not consider himself at the top.
— How did you start working in modelling? What major brands and magazines have you collaborated with? What countries have you worked in?
— Alexey Kalinin, the Director of the Black Model Management Agency, discovered me in 2007 and we have been collaborating together for more than a decade. He offered me work in Europe but at that time I was a second year student in the History Department at Moscow State University. However, after a short period of consideration, I agreed. I had always wanted to see the world and I was prepared to study for five to seven years to become an archaeologist to achieve this dream of mine but I accomplished it much earlier. I never graduated from university but on the other hand I saw a significant part of the world. For fourteen years I was shot for numerous magazines, some names of which have slipped my mind. However, I remember that I was shot several times for Vogue, GQ and Numero. As for brands, I managed to work with almost all of them, whether at shows or for advertising campaigns. Prada, Dior, Moschino, Dolce & Gabbana, John Varvatos, Etro, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger and Armani.
— Is it luck or does it take work to be a successful top model? Do you think you were successful in modelling?
— I’ve never been a top model, nevertheless I can say that luck is an integral part of a modelling career. Modelling itself is not such a complex entity. A positive attitude and perseverance open up many doors.
— What has surprised or angered you in the fashion world lately?
— Nothing has surprised me for a long time and nothing particularly angers me. However, the fact that at some point the fashion industry, which has always positioned itself as a substance that is above worldly squabbles, got involved in a conflict, publicising the situation, causes a feeling of disgust. I cannot recall that the artistes who are speaking out today about the events that took place on 24th February have said a word about Syria, Libya, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan and Palestine previously. Double standards.
— For whom or where do you have the most memorable work?
— My first big campaign for Tommy Hilfiger was in Los Angeles. We were met at the airport by limousine and stayed in the Marriott. There were 50 models on the shoot, all already well-known, but out of them all I had the main role.
Most of all, I was shocked that there was a team of chefs on the set:
— What snack would you like, my friend?
— What is available?
— Everything!
— Everything?
— Of course, we’re in Los Angeles!
However, I couldn’t think of anything more extravagant than scrambled eggs.
I also remember shooting for Vogue with Terry Richardson. It happens occasionally that you are not able to find a common language with the photographer, it happened with Terry. When reshooting the same picture many times and when the frame is lined up he communicated with a movement of the hand or with a word. It has never been easier for me to work with anyone.
— Who would you never take part in a shoot with?
— Bed and erotic scenes. One of the few taboos.
Text by K. Mironova
Photo provided by A. Gevorgyan
