Exclusive interview with international modeling and talent association's male model of the year: RUDY BUNDINI

RudyBundini is an American,New York based male model who has been featured in many magazine covers, billboards, editorials, publications, ads, print catalogues, campaigns and catwalks in New York fashion week for many designers. He has been the face of Nike, Versace, Armani, Puma, Calvin Klein, HennesyPhilipp Plein, Roger Dubuis and has been featured in music videos, TV shows as well as Hollywood movie. His accolades include Male Model of the Year.

Rudy, let's start with this question, how to become a successful model?

– It's good as a model to get yourself in front of as many interested parties as possible. I would advise your readers to actively contact model agencies and find out what they could do, whether you have the right looks and sizes to become a 'fashion' model or otherwise become a 'commercial' model. Don't sit back and wait for someone to contact you. Be active and make a lot of effort to show yourself to them. The good thing about exposure online is also that you can reach people from all over the world. I was lucky enough to be discovered on the street, and I never even thought about modelling as a possible career, but for those people that already know that they want to become a model, make people see why you have what it takes, because if not, there are a lot of others out there that will take your place instead.

How did you experience the first job you did as a model?

– My first job was a shoot for a catalogue. Of course, I was quite nervous and insecure, not knowing one thing about how these things work. Everything comes with experience and little by little you get used to it and learn how to deal with all the aspects of this career.

What were these things that you had to get used to in your career?

– Well, you need to be able to act any mood and atmosphere that they want you to. You have to show yourself a lot, and you can't be shy and timid. They create a story and you are the main character. Also, you are your own marketing manager. If a client likes you and liked working with you, they will book you again. If they didn't like and if you can't bring the story alive that they wanted you to, they won't book you again. Also, you need to learn to be alone, and to be available whenever they call you for a job. Luckily, I've met a lot of really nice people and I've made a lot of friends. These make e.g. the Fashion Weeks a lot of fun, because you can hang out with friends backstage, do the shows together and enjoy the time together. The travelling I get to do because of this job is great. I've been to places I never imagined going and have shot on amazing locations.

How are photo shoots generally directed?

– It depends on who the shooting is for and what the style of the shooting is. For an editorial they have a clear idea of what they want to achieve, but both the photographer and the model(s) always have space to take it into another direction and play around with the initial set up. For campaigns and catalogues you have to be more strict to what the clients wants.

Shoots or shows?

– Shows of course, Like I said, it's a lot of fun because you do the shows with people you know and backstage you can have fun together. You put on different outfits, walk back and forth and that's it. Of course, the castings and the fittings can be very time consuming. You can be there with 50 other guys waiting to show your portfolio and do a test walk. But when you have done a certain show before and they liked you, it also happens that they book you without having to come to the casting. One thing that can be a bit frustrating is when several clients book you for their show, but the shows are either at the same time or so close to one another that you can't do both, so you end up missing out on jobs.

What are the important elements in your career?

– 1. Luck 2. The right looks 3. Hard work

It doesn't matter how hard you work if you aren't lucky or don't have the right looks. Nobody likes your look until you do a certain campaign and all of sudden, they see you in a different way, which is why you have to be lucky to get the right jobs at the right time.

How do you experience working closely together with other models in shoots?

– You do it as your job, so it's all about acting and creating the atmosphere that the client wants. You just have keep in mind that it is a job you have to do together, nothing more or less.