Who:
Atsuya Morioka — @atsuyamorioka — Japanese from Osaka, Japan — born October 24th — 185.5 cm / 6’1″ — he/him.

Where:
XDIRECTN (London – mother agency)

— How did you become a model?
I used to work as a photographer in Japan, but I met a casting director there and started thinking that trying to become a model in Europe would be a great experience for me, too. Now I’m doing both.

— Share a bit about your background and upbringing.
I got into photography when I was in high school and started working as a freelance photographer at 20. Then, I moved from Osaka to Tokyo when I was 22 and lived there for two years. Now I’m based in London and working here.

— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
My friends always say I’m really lucky and happy But at the same time I’m super clumsy so a lot of bad things happen too So in the end it kinda just balances out.

Who:
Dave Van Der Ploeg — @daveclimbsandgyms — Dutch from Haarlem, The Netherlands — born February 19th — 187 cm / 6’1.5″ — he/him.

Where:
Volks Management Studio (Amsterdam – mother agency)

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I am a big nerd, like a really big nerd. I love watching movies and playing games. I love historical and action movies, as my favorite subject in school was history. The most interesting time was the making of the atomic bomb, so Oppenheimer is one of my favorite movies.

— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
Once, when my friends and I went out, they dared me to jump off a three-story building, and I did. I jumped to the other wall, slid down a rain pipe, and was That Guy for the rest of the day.

— Tell us about your hometown.
My hometown is Haarlem, which is in Noord-Holland. The best thing about it is that for its size, it’s actually pretty social. It’s basically Amsterdam without all the tourists. But the worst thing is that it’s pretty divided. What I mean by that is that many parts are more upper class, but some are also more lower class.

Who:
Elsa Vouga — @elsavouga — Swiss from Geneva, Switzerland — born March 16th — 175 cm / 5’9″ — she/her.

Where:
Marilyn Agency (New York), SQUARE Models Agency (Geneva – mother agency), COVER MANAGEMENT (Paris), Brave Model Management (Milan), Fifth Models (Barcelona)

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I started painting as a kid and still love it today. I find it to be a very therapeutic activity, though it can sometimes be frustrating when I can’t get a shape or idea just right. Still, I enjoy seeing how the colors blend and eventually come together to form a cohesive piece.
2. I am a very curious person and love learning new things. For example, I enjoy attending public conferences and am the type of person who looks things up on Wikipedia at any moment.
3. I played the oboe for eight years and the piano for three

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I have absolutely no knowledge of pop culture. I didn’t really grow up with the internet or take much interest in it, so I often have no idea what my friends are talking about.

— What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
Journaling! I write a few pages every day when I wake up about whatever’s on my mind that morning. It’s a habit that helps me in many ways, but the most important benefits for me are self-reflection and staying grounded in the present.

Who:
Raman Enigbokan — @ramaneob — Nigerian/American from Los Angeles, California, USA — born February 24th — 186 cm / 6’1″ — he/him.

Where:
Ursula Wiedmann Models (Atlanta – mother agency)

— What’s the scariest thing you’ve ever done?
The scariest thing I’ve ever done was stepping out of my comfort zone to pursue something I had always dreamed of but was too nervous to try: modeling. It was a huge leap for me, especially since I was just starting out and had no idea what to expect. The fear of rejection and failure was overwhelming, but I pushed myself to reach out to agencies and put myself out there. The more I did it, the more I realized that the fear wasn’t as bad as I imagined, and the experience was incredibly rewarding. Taking that risk taught me the importance of trusting myself and embracing challenges, even when they feel intimidating.

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is heartbreaking, especially considering the countless innocent lives lost and the suffering endured by civilians. Every day, families are caught in the crossfire of a conflict that seems to have no end in sight. People who are simply trying to survive are facing the unimaginable: homes destroyed, access to necessities like food and medical care cut off, and entire communities displaced. The destruction is not only physical but emotional, as generations of families face trauma that will last for years to come. The international community has a responsibility to do more than just monitor the situation; we must advocate for peace, provide aid, and ensure that those who are innocent and vulnerable are protected during this chaos.

— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
My family and friends always bring up the time I noticed a younger student at my school struggling to keep up in gym class. He was shy and often sat out, clearly feeling discouraged. I could see he just needed a little support, so I started inviting him to join me during drills and workouts. I showed him a few techniques to build his confidence, and over time, he started participating more. Eventually, he began looking forward to class and even joined an after-school sports club. Seeing him come out of his shell and gain confidence was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had. My friends joke that I’m always acting like a coach, but for me, it’s second nature to lift others and help them see their potential.

Who:
Sarah Bernauer — @sarah_bernauer — Swiss/German from Männedorf, Switzerland — born August 6th — 178 cm / 5’10” — she/her.

Where:
Let It Go MGMT (Amsterdam – mother agency)

— Did you always envision yourself pursuing a career in modeling, or did it come as a surprise? How did you first enter the world of modeling?
I was first approached by a scout in my twenties, but modeling was never something I aspired to or saw myself in, so I declined. Years later, after moving to Berlin, I began collaborating with photographers and designers. That’s when I realized modeling is more than just appearances—it’s about making a statement, telling a story, and bringing a vision to life. And that’s what truly captivates me.

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I collect photographs of trees.
2. I can’t watch horror movies; even the bad ones freak me out.
3. I’m very good at fixing broken things.

— Share a bit about your background and upbringing.
I grew up on a communal farm outside of Berne, Switzerland. There were many kids and animals, and we spent our days playing outside without much supervision. This sometimes led to dangerous situations, but looking back, it was a very happy childhood filled with freedom and opportunities to make our own experiences.

Who:
Sasha Lukushkova — @sc_lst — Russian from Ekaterinburg, Russia — born February 5th — 173 cm / 5’8″ — she/her.

Where:
Tsunami Agency (mother agency), nous mgmt (Seoul)

— Tell us about your hometown.
Ishim is a small town somewhere between Siberia and the Urals. I haven’t been back in a while. I loved being close to nature; it really toughened me up—like, -40 degrees is no joke! I think that balance of peace and obscurity is both the best and worst part of it.

— How did you become a model?
For a long time, I worked as a waitress in a cafe, and one day, a guest told me I could totally be a model. I knew I was pretty, but I always thought I wasn’t tall enough or something. But at that moment, I thought, “Yeah, I think I REALLY can do this!” So, I went to an agency and offered to collaborate.

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I have my own workshop in the city center where I paint. Once, I created a 5-meter-long painting, and now it’s hanging in a cool historical art space.
2. I’m always in a rush, and it’s easier for me to try different things than to overthink what could happen. Luckily, nothing bad has happened yet! 🤞🏻
3. I dream of visiting Japan and France. I genuinely believe these places reflect my inner world.