Akyy
Who:
Akyy Tomas (@akyy.tomas) — 183 cm / 6’0″ — Italian from Ternate, Italy — born August 28th — he/him.
Where:
Josephine Little (mother agent), STUDIO Paris
— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
When my family talks about me, they like to remember how much I learned to behave and relax. Since I was little, I’ve always had a need for adrenaline. I’ve always had a lot of energy: from climbing trees all day in the forest near my house to riding a motorcycle at 4 years old, trying to jump as high as I could. I think that it was my method to arrive at dinner exhausted and ready to sleep. But if you get to know me now, you wouldn’t think that I was that “wild” because now I manage to keep it easy and chill.
— How did you become a model?
I was scouted on Instagram.
— An issue or cause you are passionate about?
I like to observe what’s around me and how social interactions work. I grew up in a multicultural environment and that gave me the possibility to understand and feel different cultures starting from my parents. What is really strange to me is how people can hate something or someone they don’t even know or understand.
Cecilia
Who:
Cecilia Zevenhek (@ceciliazevenhek) — 176 cm / 5’9.5″ — Dutch/Cape Verdean from Amsterdam, The Netherlands — born November 30th — she/her.
Where:
Ikon Model Management (Amsterdam – mother agency), Boundary London Ltd, IZAIO Management (Berlin)
— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
When I was 17 years old, I got my birthmark removed. I used to be really sad that it came back later but my birthmark really belongs with me and it’s actually my trademark now so I’m glad that it’s still there.
— Who is someone you admire and why?
My mom, at one point in her life, lost everything but she created a whole new life for her, me and my brother without any help. I remember she had to work so much when I was young but I know she did everything in her power to make the best out of it.
— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I really love to be outside in nature. Whenever I have time I’d like to be in the forest or on the beach near my house.
2. When I was young, I really wanted to be a ballerina but at some point, I just quit because I didn’t think ballet was cool anymore. I still regret that decision.
3. Sugar addict!
Konrad
Who:
Konrad Kolaczynski (@kolaczynski.konrad) — 188 cm / 6’2″ — Polish from Lodz, Poland — born October 20th — he/him.
Where:
Selective Management (Warsaw – mother agency), PRM Agency (London), IZAIO Management (Berlin)
— Who is someone you admire and why?
The person I admire is David Goggins – an American soldier of the US Navy SEALs, ultramarathon runner, triathlete. After reading his book, I became more interested in him. I admire him for his steadfastness and persistence in pursuing the set goals.
— What are you super interested in that most people have never heard of?
I am interested in biomechanics and anatomy. I have a lot of books on this subject. This year I’m taking the secondary school-leaving examination related to it.
— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I love running. My adventure with it started a year and a half ago and it was hard for me to run 3 km. Today I have over a dozen half marathons behind me and, in the near future, a marathon to run. When I do, I want to run more and farther.
2. I like to put together puzzles and a large number of pieces (1000, 2000, 3000, etc.) I stick the folded puzzles at the base and create a picture. My collection has over a dozen of these images.
3. I collect jackets. I am currently own around 30.
Lancine
Who:
Lancine Diane (@lancine_10) — 190 cm / 6’3″ — Mozambican from Maputo, Mozambique — born February 19th — he/him.
Where:
Karacter Agency (Lisbon – mother agency)
— Who is someone you admire and why?
One person I admire is my mother because she is a hardworking and persistent person. Despite difficulties, she does not give up and does everything to get what she wants. I admire her personality very much because she is an example to me, always helps people, is always there when I need it, and that inspires me to always be a good person and be grateful for what we have.
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
I can’t say that I have a favorite lead singer because I like any kind of music, but the types of music I hear the most are Hip-Pop, R&B, Pop, and Afro. Some singers who I like that sing these styles of music are Beyoncé, Rihanna, Eminem, Burna Boy, Snoop Dogg, Omah Lay, and Billie Eilish. I like them because they know how to express their feelings for music, and also because I feel good listening to their music.
— How did you become a model?
I was at the train station, then suddenly a scouter from my current agency came to me and asked me a few questions, then gave me a card so I could contact them later. When I got home, I talked to my mother because I wanted to know what she thought about it. She convinced me to go to the castings that the agency was doing because she always said I had certain qualities to be a model, so I decided to do it.
Mala
Who:
Mala Duwe (@malamiett) — 176 cm / 5’9.5″ — German from Rostock, Germany — born September 21st — she/her.
Where:
DSM Management (Hamburg – mother agency), Supreme Management (Paris)
— The most interesting thing about your family:
My family is very alternative, crazy, and a union of the kindest people I know. We are a motley patchwork family that welcomes everyone warmly. That’s why I now have four grandmas and grandpas :D
— What are you super interested in that most people have never heard of?
I’m very interested in naturopathy. In summer, I often collect herbs myself and make tinctures, teas, and creams from them.
— Who is someone you admire and why?
I am a huge Malala fan because she rebelled against the Taliban regime and fought for girls to have the same rights as boys. I admire her strength, courage, and fighting spirit to achieve equality in her home country. She is in my opinion one of the greatest feminists of our time.
Yana
Who:
Yana Karapaunova (@yana.kar_) — 177 cm / 5’9.5″ — Bulgarian from Sofia, Bulgaria — born February 4th — she/her.
Where:
Ivet Fashion (Sofia – mother agency)
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
One of my favorite entertainers is Ru Paul. The art of drag has always impressed me, and when I went to work far away from home, for two months, watching Drag Race made me feel a lot less lonely.
— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
My friends always like to bring up the fact that I never skip my skincare routine, even in the most extreme situations. For example, when my friend and I were locked in her room because her door handle broke, I decided to do my skincare routine through her window, using water from her water bottle.
— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I love photography! I think that it is an art form not a lot of people pay attention to, even though it deserves it. A photographer has the power to capture a fragment of reality, and I think that is beautiful. I remember when I was in London, visiting the Victoria and Albert Museum, I went to see the Tim Burton exhibition and it marked me for life.
2. I speak French fluently, as I have been studying in a French school from the age of 3, and I plan on living in Paris.
3. I am very into spirituality! I think my love for it comes from my mom, who practices Reiki.