The Pig and the Muse

This week's Model Musing involves a pig and a lot of laughter. Have a look at what the model-photographer Zuzana Lettrichova has to say after the jump, or below.

Model Musing: Zuzana Lettrichova

Being tall and skinny can be a torture for many teenagers, as Zuzana Lettrichova puts it, “it wasn’t exactly one of the beauty standards when growing up”; so modeling was definitely not in her radar. When she was approached by a model scout while roaming the streets of her home town in Slovakia she was surprised, but the support of her family played a big role in making the final decision to embrace this opportunity.

As Zuzana took off to explore the world, the only thing she absolutely could not forget to do every day was to call her mother, “to make sure her little daughter was ok and alive” as she reminisces.

Currently, Zuzana spends most of her time between Paris and Manhattan, where she calls home and explores more of her artistic side by taking photographs and making collages, a craft that she has grown to love.

Here we have an opportunity to find what Zuzana’s favorite modeling image is and why.

Why do you love this picture?

Because it’s a photo of a spontaneous and real moment; even now when I look at it, it makes me smile.

Who took it? Were you excited to work with this photographer?

Danish photographer Torkil Gudnason and some of the photos from this shoot ended up in his book "Torkil Gudnason - Selected Photographs 2005-2010"

What was so curious about this shoot in particular?

The presence of a 3 weeks old baby pig! It was a really fun job, it doesn’t happen so often that I shoot with animals, it brings a different vibe to the whole shoot and you never know what will happen because you can’t really control them.

Who else was in the crew?

Muriel VanCauwen for hair and Anne-Caroline Ayotfor make up.

What were you thinking when it was taken?

“Do not  drop him!”;  he was moving a lot and every time he was uncomfortable he started squealing super loud.

What direction did the photographer give you?

He said I should bring lots of energy and expressions, but he also gave me freedom to do my thing. I don’t think too much direction is necessarily a good thing.

What was it for?

French Marie Claire

Who was the stylist?

Laurence Alexandre

What were you wearing?

Victor & Rolf dress

What has modeling taught you about the fashion world that you didn’t know?

That as fun and glamorous as this industry looks like, it’s still a business!

What have you learned from your career that you consider truly valuable?

Being independent, confident and open minded.

What advice would you give to aspiring models?

Always have something else going on,  it is a very up and down kind of business so its important to have other activities and do something valuable with your spare time.

What would be your ultimate modeling job?

A big cosmetic contract or perfume campaign.

Is there a job that you absolutely would not do?

I can’t say what I would never do because it all depends on the situation and circumstances of  the job...

To see Zuzana's photography and art work check out her blog. Zuzana is represented by Trump Models.

Comb

How many people can say they had their pubic hair combed by Tom Ford? Not many, but the subject of this week's Model Musing column certainly can. Have a read after the jump or below to find out more about Christopher Camplin.

Model Musing: Christopher Camplin

Christopher Camplin is your regular handsome English bloke, a web developer who lives in London, he is also the perfect tale of the accidental model. Approached by identical twins at an after hours club one night, he was asked whether he would like to be presented as an option for a shoot with Tom Ford. At the time it didn’t seem like a bad idea, and it turns out he was in fact chosen for the part. Being naked in GQ was not what he was thinking when he signed up for this gig, but after a few shots of vodka he was ready to have Tom Ford combing his body hair, and as Norma Desmond would say, he was ready for his close up.

With a modeling career that was kicked off with one of the biggest blessings in a very  exclusive industry, Christopher’s path was set. A collection of selective and high end bookings have followed since then, always in parallel with his work as a web developer, as well as stints as a DJ here and there. Here he picks his favorite picture as a model and tells us a little bit more about his thoughts on the industry.

Do you think modeling is perceived by society in a different way for men than it is for women?

Not specifically, I don’t think society’s perception of female and male models is particularly different, models often seem to be regarded as unintelligent regardless of their sex.

Was modeling ever a dream of yours?

It was never something I’d really considered, I was scouted purely by chance and it gradually snow balled from there. I never expected to get more work after each job in the beginning. I still wonder now!

What were your most remarkable experiences as a model?

I would have to say Tom Ford combing my pubic hair or walking down on an elevated travelator for Walter Van Beirendonck’s “Dream The World Awake” video for a retrospective of his work.

So why is this image your favorite?

This was a recent shoot I did , for Lee Paton’s latest collection. I mostly love it because I got to work with the Huskies, they were beautiful and really well behaved.

Who took it?

The photographer was Lee Roberts, always a pleasure to work with - a lovely man.

What were you thinking when this picture was being taken?

“I want to own some Huskies.”

Was there a theme for the shoot?

The theme of the collection was an arctic exhibition.

Is there any advice you would like to share with aspiring models?

I didn’t really make any effort to become a model so I can’t advise on that, but... learn to be comfortable in your own skin and accept yourself is the advice I would give.

Christopher is represented by Models 1.