Derek Zoolander
The post about stereo types above was not actually something I planned. It actually began as the beginning of this profile. My ramblings however made it difficult to find a smooth way to transition from Kurt on Glee to the misconceptions about male models.
Ben Stiller’s 2001 movie Zoolander embodies how many people perceive male models. Clueless and naive, vain, spending most of their days fluffing their hair and grunting their way through daily pumping iron regimens.
In the three plus years I have been working on FH I am continually surprised as I get to know the models I profile. It is not the lack of stereo types that surprise me, I learned long ago that stereo types are mostly false. Yes, there have been a few guys I have communicated with who struggled with completing full sentences...but overall, most are both highly motivated and highly intelligent. What does continue to surprise me is the level of passion, the level of talent and skills not related to modeling.
Below: Stefan by Erudhein.
Male models are not generally well paid. In today’s world most cannot afford to spend their days hanging out at the gym and the salon. Yes of course fitness and appearance have to be a priority but most models I work with juggle working out and shoots with university, a job, or jobs and of course family and friends. Many models today also have to juggle being their own agent, publicist and accountant. They know the window for modeling does not stay open for long, and while pursing modeling jobs the focus must also be on planning for when modeling is no longer an option.
If you read FH on a regular basis you know that my interest runs beyond the big name agency models and photographers. I am not just about the photo, but the story behind it. One of the most fascinating models I have come across in awhile is Stefan Alexander. His ‘story’ is not only interesting but also a bit addictive. I use addictive with intent as there are so many things about Stefan worth exploring
Below: Stefan by Eric Michael Pearson
'Passionate about writing and reflecting on the everyday. Aesthetic, subtle, and fun. Creative, observant, nice. Searching for people with whom to be strange, sing a little and dance about... Spot me hanging around studious and/or chill places, practicing yoga, or searching for aesthetics of taste, intoxicant, textile or intellectuals. I flit a little in photography, writing, and continually create.'
Stefan Alexander
Below: Stefan by DV Photo.
Usually when I profile someone I attempt to highlight into one area of their life to theme the post around. With Stefan this was not so easy. When I asked him a question, his answers were never what I quite expected. It was the inability to make assumptions that brought about the theme of stereo types. With Stefan, he not only challenges them, he refutes them.
25 year Stefan hails from Montreal although currently is studying in London. Stefan recently graduated from Harvard University with degrees in Art History and Italian Studies. Stefan is in London completing his MA. I first contacted Stefan last November but due to his busy schedule and travels it took close to three months to finally pull things together.
Stefan has traveled the globe and has been to most of the US and Canada. He has also jetted to Cuba, Mexico and other parts of the Caribbean, Paris, Rome, all over Italy, Sydney, Melbourne and other parts of Australia and now London. Stefan says he has a soft spot for Italy and was really taken with his experience in Padua.
Below: Stefan by Yann Faucher
‘Consider myself a slim elegant and quietly confident guy’
I love that Stefan uses elegant in his description of self. It is not an adjective often used by men when describing themselves. Quietly confident is also not a phrase I connect with men, and male models. Confidence rarely has a descriptive word partnered with it, one usually thinks as one as confident or not. Quietly confident is a beautiful description, consistent with the emotion that exudes from Stefan’s work.
‘Modeling was something I had always thought about, an idea I thought would be interesting. I think that it also came out of my education as an art historian, in a sense getting the practical modern experience of the creation of art. I really enjoy being part of the creative process and be able to collaborate with an artist/photographer to realize a vision.’
Below: Stefan by Pierre Jean.
‘I've really enjoyed working with the same photographer multiple times (Steve Walls and Pierre Jean). A certain comfort sets in and a collaborative ease comes about to realize concepts and try new things. I really enjoyed working with Pierre Jean and using plastics and bubble wrap, I loved the results. We actually didn't shoot that many pictures, but the few we did get were stunning.’
my breath, the ocean
The rise and fall of emotions, happiness
is a delicate moment. All feelings rushing
in, rushing, out. The breath cycles, continual,
waves upon the ocean. I bob, motionless, in motion,
I surrender. I try to ride the crests of my inhales, surf,
a fine balance, centering atop a moment, flowing.
Stefan Alexander
Next three shots by Robert Siegelman.
Check out more of Stefan's work on Model Mayhem HERE:
Below: Stefan by Alt Hypothesis.
