Now Casting: Paul Hameline

START
body

Before becoming a successful model, French-born Paul Hameline did everything he could to avoid working in fashion. He rejected several offers that started coming in at a young age until he finally surrendered in 2014 to Eva Gӧdel from an agency called Tomorrow is Another Day. “She seemed like someone I would have become friends with,” recalls Hameline, “so I trusted my instincts and said ‘yes.’” He let that instinct become his career philosophy and has since vowed to only work with friends, exceptional people, or on projects that he genuinely believes in. “Otherwise, the pictures are boring and the end result is terrible,” Hameline says. Luckily for him, his circle of friends include the likes of Demna Gvasalia and Miuccia Prada. Here, Hameline tells us about being a Balenciaga model, launching a new zine, and more:

Why were you so against becoming a model?
“I don’t consider modeling a career for boys. For girls it’s another story. They make more money and they get booked more, but I just wasn’t into the idea of it—it seemed so fake. Acting is more or less the same thing as modeling, but it’s so much deeper because you have to learn things from the inside. When you’re modeling, people are just asking you to stand there and look pretty. I find that it can be quite a sad job.”

Do you still feel that way about modeling or do you see it differently now?
“I still feel that way. I think it’s quite a sad job. For example, there’s lots of guys that I know, who if you ask them what they want to do later, they’re like, ‘I’d like to work in politics,’ and I’m like, ‘that’s amazing—are you studying?’ And they’re like, ‘no, no because I still model.’ They’re 27, or something, and they barely walk. I think it’s quite like an illusion.”

What aspects of modeling do you like?
“I work exclusively with friends or companies that have amazing teams. Everyone I work with is someone that I go for coffee or dinner with, so there is a real and natural connection. I also model for financial reasons. If I didn’t, I would have to find someone to finance my art and I wouldn’t want to do that.”

What’s been the highlight of your modeling career so far?
“I like doing the shows. Prada, Balenciaga, and Vetements are always fun because I’m friends with all of the cast. For shoots, I had a really good time on my first-ever photo shoot with Harley Weir. I also enjoy working with Willy Vanderperre and Olivier Rizzo.”

What do you do when you’re not modeling?
“I do a lot of collage, videos, and some music. At the moment, I’m working on an exhibition in London and on the second issue of my zine, Rave New World. For me, the zine is like a paradoxical personal diary. I believe that people are born as a mass of clay and then their life experiences, friends, and the people that inspire them shapes their personality. That’s why I’ve only featured my friends’ work in it so far.”

Did you always want to be an artist?
“I’ve always been interested in the arts in general. My brother used to take me to auction houses in Paris growing up and I was a film buff as a kid. I didn’t have many friends. I always believed that you’re better all by yourself than with people that don’t really connect with you. I still believe that, but I’m not all by myself all the time anymore. Now I find inspiration in my friends.”

What inspires your art?
“My art is more or less a critique of the dark side of humanity. For example in my collages, I always put together the images of World War II and the Red Army with images of people’s fetishes. I believe that society doesn’t let you be who you really are. It’s hard for me to explain in English, but I believe that terrible things happen because people aren’t free to express their feelings.”

What’s your personal approach to beauty and style?
“Personality and confidence are what makes me look at someone. That and not trying too hard, being honest, and easy-going are also important. In terms of fashion, my favorite brands are the ones I walk for, so Balenciaga, Prada, and Vetements.

What’s next?
“I usually come to New York every two months for modeling work and then concentrate on my art in Paris. At the moment, I’m seeing friends and working on the next issue of Rave New World. Making it is a lot of work. I make 200 editions, all hand numbered and signed at the end with a poster by one of my colleagues.”

END

prev link: https://www.crfashionbook.com/fashion/a10017651/now-casting-paul-hameline/
createdAt:Tue, 13 Jun 2017 17:44:42 +0000
displayType:Standard Article
section:Fashion