Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Let the colour rise to your cheeks and your feet lift from the ground. Breathe a heavy sigh of anticipation and embrace the cut cloth that falls sporadically from the angst and the nervous smiles that grace the catwalks. There's an undertone of excitement that whispers through the air, and it’s infectious.
London Collections: Men is here once again, picking the freshest crop of new faces and seasoned walkers and showcasing them to the world. The boys that grace the polished runways are here again, wielding the designs marked with love and the colours that sprinkle the sidewalks in summer.
Sophie Mayanne and Dasha Kova catch up with 14 of the freshest faces in anticipation of LCM SS16, capturing a series of monochromatic portraits and (sometimes funny, undoubtedly witty) accompanying interviews. Find out more about the faces that will be gliding down the runways as LCM spreads it's wings once again.
Above Left: T-shirt by DKNY.
Above Right: Polo Neck by McQ, Trousers by THE KOOPLES, Shoes by UNDERGROUND.
Jon Cooper at Select Models
Where are you from?
Essex
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
Definitely the travelling and meeting new people.
What song do you play on repeat?
I always play Jimi Hendrix on repeat.
Tell us 3 random facts about yourself?
I love playing guitar, I have 2 cats called Ninja and Luna (named after the Smashing Pumpkins song) and I also love pizza.
What are you most passionate about?
Music and playing acoustic guitar.
Above Left: Top by DKNY.
Above Right: Suit by THE KOOPLES, Shoes by UNDERGROUND.
Daniel S at Tomorrow Is Another Day
Where are you from?
Bonn, Germany.
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
Travelling, seeing new places, and meeting new people.
What shows have you walked?
Saint Laurent, Lanvin and Sandro to name a few.
Favourite food and why?
Sushi! I could eat it all day, every day.
Favourite words to live by?
"Tomorrow is another day" of course!
Above Left: Shirt by NEUW.
Above Right: T-shirt by ELLESSE, Trousers by LEE, Shoes Stylist's Own.
Liam Gardner at Select Models
Where are you from?
I'm from Aylesbury, but family is Irish.
What shows have you walked?
Topman, Costume National, Christopher shannon and Agi & Sam.
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
Travelling is an obvious favourite, and being among creatives gives a real vibe of acceptance and lets you do what you want. You get to work with people mostly in your age group, and I wouldn't have met my girlfriend if it wasnt for this job.
What's your wildest dream?
I used to wnt to be an architetect, which takes 7 years at Uni. The idea seemed pretty ridiculous at the time as I had barely finished 6th form.
What characteristics best define you?
Being a skateboarder, I have fun on summer days with a bit of a naughty streak and I like that good ole juuuuuungle music (dum dum tish dukka dukka dum tish).
What is one item you can't live without?
My skateboard! With the amount of money I've spent replacing parts it would seem ridiculous to live without it now.
Above Right: Jumper by McQ.
Above Left: Shirt and Shorts by PUBLISH, Socks by STANCE, Shoes by CONVERSE.
Ollie Pallister at SUPA Model Management
Where are you from?
Norwich, in the east of England.
What shows have you walked?
In my first season I walked for Kit Neale and did a presentation for Clara Martin.
What is your favourite memory?
Being in primary school when everything was easy and I had no responsibilities.
What is your current mood and why?
I'm pretty happy it's summer, but the sun keeps burning me!
Who do you look up too?
A$AP Rocky, he's probably not the best role model but I respect him for his music, fashion style and attitude to life.
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
So far I would say doing fashion week and meeting all the people, I'm looking forward to doing Milan and Paris shows.
Above Left: Blazer by THE KOOPLES, T-Shirt by SOULLAND.
Above Right: Jacket by MOHSIN, T-Shirt by LES BENJAMINS, Jeans by CARHARTT, Shoes by CONVERSE.
Maximilan Palmer at Premier Models
Where are you from?
Born in london, now live in Hertfordshire.
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
At the moment, travelling around london.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Weird, funny and laidback.
What do you see as your biggest strength?
Playing guitar, I 100% love it.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
I remember being really interested in the army.
Above Left: Shirt by McQ.
Above Right: Jumper by McQ, Jeans by CARHARTT, Socks by STANCE, Shoes by CONVERSE.
Fionn at SUPA Model Management
Where are you from?
The glorious town of Watford
What shows have you walked?
Tom Ford, Hermes, E.Tautz, J.W.Anderson, Pringle of Scotland and Kit Neale.
What were you like as a 5 year old?
Quiet, with a mildly unhealthy ambition to be a dinosaur.
What is the soundtrack to your life at the moment? Buddy Rich's drum solos.
If there was one place in the world you could go, where would it be?
Ethiopia. It has an incredibly rich history and some of the most stunning vistas in the world
Above Left: Jacket by DIESEL, Top by SUNSPEL.
Above Right: T-shirt by SAMSOE SAMSOE, Shirt by A.P.C, Jeans by NUDIE JEANS, Shoes by UNDERGROUND.
John Meadows at SUPA Model Management.
Where are you from?
Windsor.
What shows have you walked?
Dior, Alexander Mqueen, Marni, Sacai and Casey Hayford.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be?
A Human Torch - you can fly around, and your coffee will never gets cold.
What is your biggest dream?
To have a big house in the countryside with a family of my own
What are you most passionate about?
Motorbikes
Above Left: Shirt by A.P.C, Vest by ALPINESTARS.
Above Right: Jacket and Shirt by DIESEL, Trousers by NUDIE JEANS, Shoes by UNDERGROUND.
Charlie at Established Models.
Where are you from?
I was born in kent, living in Marden a little countryside village near maidstone and tunbridge wells.
What shows have you walked?
My first ever show ever was Topman I've also walked Louis Vuitton, Raf Simons, Comme De Garcons, Salvatore Ferragamo, John Varvatos, Lanvin and Gucci.
If you were an animal, what would you be?
Unquestionably the Great White Shark for no other reason than the fact I have an unhealthy obsession with the species. There is no actual correlation between the animal and my personality.
What was the last song you listened too?
Either Nikes On My Feet by Mac Miller or Seduction by German Luque, not sure which was the last one I listened to but both are my favourite songs at the moment.
What do you do in your spare time?
I practice mixing music, mostly minimal techno and tech house, I'm also teaching myself music production across the same genres. I plan on taking up casual, urban photography in the near future and compiling a collection of images from the places and events I've been to whilst modelling.
Above Left: T-Shirt by DKNY.
Above Right: Top by NEUW, Jacket by DKNY, Shorts by LES BENJAMINS, Socks by STANCE, Trainers by SAUCONY.
Francois at Milk Models
Where are you from?
Paris, France
What shows have you walked?
Lanvin, Kenzo, Rick Owens, Damir Doma, Christopher Shannon, and Junya Wanatabe.
What's your favourite thing about London?
It has to be the Tea!
What is your most significant accomplishment?
Graduating from my fine art school in France.
One person in the world, past or present, you wish you could meet?
Michael Hanneke.
Above Right: Jacket by UMBRO, T-Shirt by AMERICAN APPAREL.
Above Left: Jumper by SAMSOE SAMSOE, Shirt by CARHARTT, Jeans by NUDIE JEANS, Shoes by CONVERSE.
Dillon Westbrock at Storm Models
Where are you from?
Central Point, Oregon, United States
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
Travel and cultural emersion.
How do you think your friends would describe you?
Down to earth and relatable.
What was your favourite subject in school?
World Studies.
If you could have any pet in the world, what would it be?
A ferrett, I think it would be cool as I could put it on a leash and walk it around.
Above Left: Jacket by A.P.C, T-Shirt by YR STORE.
Above Right: Jeans by BEYOND RETRO, Socks by STANCE, Shoes by CONVERSE.
Willis at Select Models
Where are you from?
Essex
What shows have you walked?
The Royal College of Art graduate show, and a presentation for Calvin Klein.
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
Meeting new people, travelling and my best highlight was travelling to Milan for a Calvin Klein presentation and my first show for RCA.
What expectations do you have for the up coming fashion week?
I'm really looking forward to fashion week. I'm hoping to walk in some shows as they seem like a great opportunity!
What makes you happy?
Playing guitar, badminton, going to the gym and spending time with friends and family.
What would your dream shoot be?
I would love to shoot on a beach or somewhere close to nature.
Above Left: Roll-neck by McQ.
Above Right: Shirt by SAMSOE SAMSOE, Belt and Jeans by NUDIE JEANS, Shoes by UNDERGROUND.
William at Tomorrow Is Another Day
Where are you from?
New Westminster, British Columbia, CANADA
What shows have you walked?
Rory Parnell Mooney, Matthew Miller, Lee Roach, Missoni, Sandro, Iceberg
What is your favourite quote?
My dad always says"Life is hard and then you die".
What is your favourite memory?
We used to have an indoor swing attached to the ceiling in my dads basement studio and it was the craziest thing.
Favourite colour and why?
Sandstone because i'm really into ancient greece right now.
Above Left: T-shirt by DKNY.
Above Right: Coat by THE KOOPLES, Shirt by SOULLAND, Jeans by NUDIE JEANS, Shoes by UNDERGROUND.
Henry Kitcher at Tomorrow Is Another Day
Where are you from?
London
What shows have you walked?
Alexander Mcqueen, Hermes, Paul smith and Lanvin.
What's your favourite thing about modelling?
Travelling and eating different foods!
What's the craziest thing you've ever done?
A nude shoot.
If you were a character in a movie, who would you be?
Jim Stark from 'Rebel Without a Cause'
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Working in publishing, hopefully abroad.
Above Left: Jacket by McQ.
Above Right: Top by BEYOND RETRO, Trousers by NUDIE JEANS, Shoes by UNDERGROUND.
Matteo Carlos at Select Models
Where are you from?
I'm half Venezuelan and half English
What shows have you walked?
Kenzo, Topman, Louis Vuitton, Lou Dalton and Oliver Spencer.
What's been your highlight of modelling so far?
Some of the people you meet are a lot of fun and there are days where it doesn't feel like work at all. The Lanvin shoot is probably my highlight so far. It's quite a weird world until you get used to it.
Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
If I'm honest I feel so young that I dont need to think about it. I'm in a pretty good band at the moment though so I'll say hopefully on a world tour!
Tell us the story of how you were scouted?
I was taken into Select by my mate, Ben Allen, after doing a Lanvin campaign. The campaign was on Edie Campbells family and I was going out with her sister, Olympia, at the time so thats how I managed to scrape in!
What makes you you?
I think you'd have to get to know me to figure out what makes me me. Sadly I don't have a tale to tell!
Stockists:
A.P.C
ALPINESTARS
AMERICAN APPAREL
BEYOND RETRO
CARHARTT
CONVERSE
DKNY
ELLESSE
LEE
LES BENJAMINS
THE KOOPLES
McQ
MOHSIN
NEUW
NUDIE JEANS
PUBLISH
SAUCONY
SAMSOE SAMSOE
STANCE
SOULLAND
SUNSPEL
UNDERGROUND
UMBRO
YR STORE
Words by Sophie Mayanne.