interview

Name:
Emile Woon

Agency:
Folio Montreal (Montreal)

Age:
18

Height:
6’0″

Place of Origin:
Growing up I moved a lot throughout Quebec Canada, then went to France for 3 years, but my family settled back in Quebec, more specifically the Laurentians, when I was 6 in order to start school. This is where I consider really growing up.

Ethnic Origin:
My mom’s a Quebecer with Irish heritage and my father is from Malaysia.

Birthsign:
#gemini

How discovered:
July 29th this summer, I was at the Blue Dog Motel in Montreal for this big party. Later that night, just as I was leaving the bathroom, this man Tinashe Musara enters, eyes me from head to toe, and asks me how tall I am. He then urges me out of the place and proceeds with leaving me his contact info. I didn’t know what was going on. Next day, I send him an email asking if he remembers me, he responds saying that he’d want me to model for a shoot he directed and would be shooting with Andy Loang-Hong at the end of the month. That was for the Pedram Karimi SS15 line, I had a great time: made friends, drank beer on set and showed real interest in learning how to model; I was always observing how the more experienced model posed, and made shapes out of his body. I wanted to be able to do that too. After the shoot, the idea to model again, and get as much experience as possible got to my mind. The following week, Tinashe got me an interview with Raphaelle, the new-face agent at Folio, but it wasn’t until October that they had me come over to complete my addition to the agency.

Favorite things:
I love being with friends, I love being alone.

Favorite music, band:
I respect Flatbush Zombies, ASAP, Odd Future, Joey Badass, Kanye West, who all have their own respective style and approach to life. They thrive on doing what others won’t, and always make a statement either by song or outfit which makes them icons in my eyes.

Favorite movie, tv show:
Spongebob, Fresh Prince. I don’t watch television anymore so most shows I’ll binge on are from when I was 9 years old since it’s all I know. I love movies though, can’t get tired of School of Rock, Superbad or Stepbrothers. Anything witty, with plot twists or Jackie Chan will do. Special shoutout to Death Note.

Favorite designer, fragrance or beauty product:
Fragrance wise I wear Bleu de Chanel since it makes me feel like I can impregnate people with a single look. But the only beauty products I use are my girlfriend’s thermal water and whatever cream she has, just for hydration and the sake of using thermal water.

What would you be doing if you weren’t modeling?
If I wasn’t modeling I’d probably be washing dishes. When this all ends, I hope to find myself a career that has me working with people who are allowed to express themselves to their full extent, it really brings out the best in everyone. Life for me needs to be genuine and diverse.

What’s something uncool that you love anyway?
ASMR on YouTube.

Favorite modeling experience so far?
Antoine de la Rochelle and Bruno Ferreira had me in high-fashion streetwear from 3.Paradis and instructed me to really exaggerate every move, every pose, it made for a really slick but intense vibe which I felt complimented me well.

What’s the best thing about your hometown/country?
Its crude, vulgar, absurd humor.

Which brand would you really love to model for?
I’ve seen the brand New Regime grow up and I respect them for putting Montreal on the map with original content. I’ve supported their minds for a year now, and modeling for a forthcoming season would really make me feel like a million bucks.

Place you would love to visit:
I would love for my dad to give me an extensive tour of his hometown. Being the smartest man I know, I’m sure I’d learn a lot from this trip. I also have yet to discover New York, which is obligatory.

Currently you’re obsessed with/about:
Oversized flannels, Reddit and tea. It’s that tea life you know.