An interview with some of the models at Contact Agency in London.
Contact is the London based modelling platform that’s disrupting the industry by dropping the idea of traditional casting processes. It empowers a diverse range of models that fit a futuristic mould, and a new wave of talent: by working with forward thinking tech to connect the dots of the industry. Contact features many models who are also artists, musicians, tattooists, dancers, athletes.. and so on.
The models at Contact can feel empowered by having more transparency and control during the casting process by having more direct links with the client. Contact looks to drop the past and work closely with the models, striving to become more of an online community, a virtual creative space.
This interview lets the models speak about lockdown life and where the industry is heading, what they feel is changing, how they feel accepted and encouraged in a post-tech modelling world.
CLARISTO AGBALI
BERLIN
@CLARISTOA
WHO ARE YOU LOCKING DOWN WITH?
My family
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME IN POSITIVE WAYS?
To focus more on myself and school
WHAT ITEM OF CLOTHING MAKES YOU FEEL MOST SPECIAL WHEN YOU WEAR IT?
Oversized clothes. I love them
WHAT POSITIVE CHANGES DO YOU SEE CURRENTLY IN THE INDUSTRY?
I feel that people are getting more confident
WHAT IS YOUR LOCKDOWN SOUNDTRACK?
Asap rocky, travis scott and other American rappers
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LOCKDOWN IN 3 WORDS?
Boring, time, infinite
ELLIE HOSKYNS – ABRAHALL
LONDON
@ELLIE.HAHAHA
WHO ARE YOU LOCKING DOWN WITH?
My partner and our cat
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME IN POSITIVE WAYS?
I’ve been trying to stay creative by working on customizing clothes, making jewelry,
taking photos, cooking and a little bit of gardening. Though, I’d be lying if I said I
wasn’t spending a lot of time with my head buried in TV shows and Animal
Crossing…
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW/MOVIE ABOUT THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND WHY?
I’d have to say the documentary ‘The True Cost’ which looks at the negative effects of the fast fashion industry. I think fashion is a wonderful creative medium but it’s so important to be mindful in the way we shop and come up with creative ways to be sustainable without compromising how we dress.
WHAT ITEM OF CLOTHING MAKES YOU FEEL MOST SPECIAL WHEN YOU WEAR IT?
Nothing makes me feel more confident than a good suit and tie combo. The bigger
and baggier the suit, the better.
HOW DO YOU USE CLOTHING TO EXPRESS YOURSELF TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD?
I think the way I dress is a really good way for me to communicate elements of my
identity to the world without having to constantly explain myself.
WHAT POSITIVE CHANGES DO YOU SEE CURRENTLY IN THE INDUSTRY?
I think inclusivity in the industry is slowly coming forward which is of course amazing to see, however I want to see it happening faster and bigger. More beautiful and exciting bodies please. Now.
WHAT IS YOUR LOCKDOWN SOUNDTRACK?
I have been loving the new Fiona Apple album but to be honest… a lot of Tiktok and
TV intro songs…
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LOCKDOWN IN 3 WORDS?
Boring but vital
INES MORENO
LISBON
@IHAVENTPARTIEDSINCELASTFRIDAY
WHO ARE YOU LOCKING DOWN WITH?
I’m in lockdown with my best friend and my 2 dogs
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME IN POSITIVE WAYS?
I’m trying to do a different thing every day that I wanted to learn before, like painting or DJing – I’m also putting together a small team of artists and we make a time of the week to just do crazy stuff.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW/MOVIE ABOUT THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND WHY?
I’m in love now with this documentary called “ La Mode en France “ because it
speaks about the modeling life after it “ends” – about the career and it has a lot of
fashion icons. It has a lot of emotion and truth to it.
WHAT ITEM OF CLOTHING MAKES YOU FEEL MOST SPECIAL WHEN YOU WEAR IT?
Lingerie
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LOCKDOWN IN 3 WORDS?
Innovation , Future , Productivity
INGVILD GILLET
PARIS
@ING__VILD
WHO ARE YOU LOCKING DOWN WITH?
With my friends in Bretagne, west of France.
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME IN POSITIVE WAYS?
Reading, walking, watching films, cooking, thinking and repeat.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW/MOVIE ABOUT THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND WHY?
Blow Up, because it’s Antonioni.
WHAT ITEM OF CLOTHING MAKES YOU FEEL MOST SPECIAL WHEN YOU WEAR IT?
A T-shirt from a gallery cafe in Norway I worked at when I was 15.
HOW DO YOU USE CLOTHING TO EXPRESS YOURSELF TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD?
Wearing what I feel like wearing when I want to wear it. Clothes help you to be
truthful to your identity and I guess that makes you stand out as a free thinking
individual.
WHAT POSITIVE CHANGES DO YOU SEE CURRENTLY IN THE INDUSTRY?
I see young artists being more publicized and a bigger diversity of body types, size,
colors and age, which makes me very happy. I think the industry should be more
mindful of the environment and reflect on the durability of their clothes.
WHAT IS YOUR LOCKDOWN SOUNDTRACK?
Fiona Apple’s new album!
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LOCKDOWN IN 3 WORDS?
White, black and blue.
JABRIL SHEI
LONDON
@JABR.SHEI
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME IN POSITIVE WAYS?
I try to do something whether that’s yoga, photoshop or music. I wanna teach myself to do something because boredom is the worst thing for me.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW/MOVIE ABOUT THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND WHY?
In terms of the way that fashion was depicted during a certain period of time I would say La Haine influenced me a lot. But I also love watching anime which inspires me, my favourites being Death Note, Tokyo Ghoul and Fooly Cooly!
WHAT ITEM OF CLOTHING MAKES YOU FEEL MOST SPECIAL WHEN YOU WEAR IT?
I love my hoodies – No matter how hot it is, you can catch me with a hoodie, from
vintage Ralph Lauren to old Ed hardy prints I try to collect hoodies that I know I can
wear all the time – sort of like a cartoon character.
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE CONCEPT THAT CLOTHES HELP YOU BLEND IN/STAND OUT IN SOCIETY?
I think that to a certain degree it’s true but really it’s how you wear your clothes that make you stand out. I myself have started experimenting and bleaching my own clothes and making them reusable instead of throwing them away. It’s all about how feel. As long as you feel good, you’ll be confident and stand out on your own.
IF THERE WERE LESS GENDER RULES IN MAINSTREAM FASHION, DO YOU THINK PEOPLE WOULD DRESS DIFFERENTLY?
I think so, but there’s influences and if you do your research people are breaking
boundaries all the time – whether it’s Dennis Rodman in the 90’s or Young Thug in
these times. People will wear what they like and things will become unisex. Clothes
are for everybody as long as you’re comfortable – I encourage everybody to express themselves.
WHAT POSITIVE CHANGES DO YOU SEE CURRENTLY IN THE INDUSTRY?
More diversity – growing up I wouldn’t see models who looked like myself so I wanted to be that change, but now coming into the industry it’s so nice to see people who not only could represent me but make me feel comfortable and safe in this world of modelling.
WHAT ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY COULD CHANGE?
I think that there still needs to be people around the world represented. I want kids to grow up and see an advert or a show and feel like they can see themselves always.
WHAT IS YOUR LOCKDOWN SOUNDTRACK?
Kids See Ghosts – Reborn
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LOCKDOWN IN 3 WORDS?
Learning new things
JANG QI
LONDON
@JANG.QI
WHO ARE YOU LOCKING DOWN WITH?
Only myself.
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME IN POSITIVE WAYS?
I watch loads of series, read some books, clean up my room and do yoga to stay
positive and safe.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW/MOVIE ABOUT THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND WHY?
The Devil Wears Prada – a realistic portrayal of powerful women and sisterhood in
the fashion industry.
WHAT ITEM OF CLOTHING MAKES YOU FEEL MOST SPECIAL WHEN YOU WEAR IT?
Nothing, I am special because of my appearance.
HOW DO YOU USE CLOTHING TO EXPRESS YOURSELF TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD?
I am most confident when I don’t have to think about my clothes. I just wear simple
and comfortable clothes to cover my body.
WHAT POSITIVE CHANGES DO YOU SEE CURRENTLY IN THE INDUSTRY?
The variety of models in the current industry. For example, there are more disabled
models, ethnic minorities models and gender non-confirming models.
WHAT ASPECTS OF THE INDUSTRY SHOULD CHANGE?
It should be more sustainable, less focus on fast fashion, and more interest where
the clothing comes from.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LOCKDOWN IN 3 WORDS?
Mindful, contemplative and relaxing.
SADIE DUBLIN
LONDON
@SADIE.DUBLIN
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW/MOVIE ABOUT THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND WHY?
Next In Fashion, a must watch. It gives you an insight into the industry and their skills and precision as designers is incredible.
WHAT ITEM OF CLOTHING MAKES YOU FEEL MOST SPECIAL WHEN YOU WEAR IT?
No clothes!
HOW DO YOU USE CLOTHING TO EXPRESS YOURSELF TO THE OUTSIDE WORLD?
I like comfortable, light clothes, especially in Spring/Summer – mini dresses, baggy trousers and trainers. It makes me feel happy. I get stuff done when I feel and look good. Plus, a new set of lingerie under a silk dress makes me feel all kinds of confident!
WHAT POSITIVE CHANGES DO YOU SEE CURRENTLY IN THE INDUSTRY?
When BFC announced LFW is going digital and gender neutral!
WHAT IS YOUR LOCKDOWN SOUNDTRACK?
This changes every day but right now anything Sade and Shanti Celeste when I want to dance
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE LOCKDOWN IN 3 WORDS?
Strange, Weirdly Productive
TOM GREGORY
MANCHESTER
@TK__GREGORY
WHO ARE YOU LOCKING DOWN WITH?
My partner and my friend.
HOW ARE YOU SPENDING YOUR TIME IN POSITIVE WAYS?
I’ve not been putting pressure on myself to use this time to develop wild new skills,
but I’ve been finding more time to read and cook. I’m currently finishing an art
foundation course, so I’ve been continuing my practice with the limited facilities of
the house, which has pushed me in unexpected but interesting directions. I didnt
expect to be reverting to painting my final project but ive been really enjoying using
the restrictions of quarantine to make new work.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW/MOVIE ABOUT THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND WHY?
Zoolander
WHAT POSITIVE CHANGES DO YOU SEE CURRENTLY IN THE INDUSTRY?
I’ve only recently been signed as a model so I havent seen much of the modelling
industry yet. But as an outsider I’ve been liking the recent shift to a more inclusive
industry, with different types of faces and bodies getting much needed representation, but there is still more to be done. Also I’ve seen more small brands moving to sustainable production directions while still making really nice clothes, but I dont see that change reflected in the wider fashion industry.
WHAT ASPECTS COULD CHANGE FOR THE BETTER?
I think the unnecessary amount of clothes that we buy is no doubt linked to a social media culture that promotes insane amounts of consumption. Theres a general consensus that fast fashion is bad but the desire for new clothes all the time comes from an unhealthy influencer culture on instagram promoting different clothes every day.
WHAT IS YOUR LOCKDOWN SOUNDTRACK?
The new Bad Boy Chiller Crew album, and a bit of Darren Styles
