Adol
Who:
Adol Akuei (@adoldagreat) — 186 cm / 6’1″ — American/Sudanese from Anoka, Minnesota, USA — born July 4th — he/him.
Where:
Still Model Management (Chicago – mother agency), JAG Models (New York)
— Who is your favorite entertainer?
Tyler, the Creator. He’s very true to himself and his interests. It inspires me to unapologetically be my own person and worry less about other people’s perceptions.
— Your most embarrassing moment:
In 7th grade, I had an emotional breakdown in the middle of class because my crush got back together with her ex :(
— How did you become a model?
My best friend is a photographer, so I would always take pictures with him for fun. But as we went on we got better at what we were doing. My sister took notice of that and kind of persuaded me into seeking it out. So she connected me with her mother agency.
Dominik
Who:
Dominik Wiewióra (@dominik__wiewiora9) — 183 cm / 6’0″ — Polish from Goświnowice, Poland — born May 13th — he/him.
Where:
Pinokio Models (Warsaw – mother agency)
— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
When I was a little boy, my closest ones used to call me Blade. I really looked like a little vampire. I was an unusual little boy because I had fair hair and these two snow-white teeth, just one on each side. I would say that people were staring at my beautiful smile every time I smiled, and I smiled a lot.
— Who is someone you admire and why?
My idols are Cristiano Ronaldo, as I am a keen football player, and Ewan McGregor, who I consider one of the best British actors, especially in films like Trainspotting and The Island. I like the fact that they are very hard-working individuals. They can rise from failing. I admire their achievements despite the problems and limitations they have experienced.
— An issue or cause you are passionate about?
I am definitely very much into sports. Sport teaches you how to work hard and the consequences of your actions. How to learn from a life lesson. It teaches you to deal with emotions and makes you tougher. I have been involved in sports for many years and still enjoy doing it any time I get the opportunity to do it. No matter what discipline it is.
Emani
Who:
Emani Slauter (@emani.janelle) — 180 cm / 5’11” — American from Cincinatti, Ohio, USA — born February 8th — she/her.
Where:
Ross Van Alstine (mother agent), Heffner Management (Seattle)
— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I did choir for four years and love to sing.
2. I have taken many art classes ranging from metalwork to sculpture and painting.
3. I have a deep love for music and instruments and play a variety of them, including saxophone, guitar, and ukulele.
— What are you super interested in that most people have never heard of?
A thing that I have a lot of interest in that I believe most people do not know about is musical themes and many of Stephen Sondheim’s works. I am interested in his use of inversion of melodies to tell a story without saying any words.
— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
I am very passionate about social justice in the Black community, such as the Black Lives Matter movement and the Young Black Panther Party. I am passionate about these causes due to them affecting my life day to day.
Graziella
Who:
Graziella Curvel (@grazicurvel) — 177 cm / 5’9.5″ — Brazilian from Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil — born December 22nd — she/her.
Where:
Joy Management (São Paulo), Elite New York City, Wilhelmina London, Modelwerk (Hamburg)
— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
How I was never interested in being a model but it became my dream. I wanted to be a veterinarian, and I entered the college of my dreams, but I stopped the course to become a model. An example that goals and dreams are always being renewed.
— What are you super interested in that most people have never heard of?
I am a sign language and braille student. I believe that evolutions occur when we stop to listen to everyone, including those who do not communicate with their voices or have no hearing.
— How did you become a model?
Two years ago, I looked for an agency in the city where I was studying, and from there, I went to São Paulo to participate in a national modeling contest with my current mother agency. I won the contest and started my career.
Soffie
Who:
Soffie Marques (@sofffiemar) — 177 cm / 5’9.5″ — Venezuelan/Brazilian from Caracas, Venezuela — born November 15th — she/her.
Where:
XY Models (Bogota – mother agency), Mix Models Agency (Rio de Janeiro)
— The most interesting thing about your family:
On my father’s side, I have family in many parts of the world. Due to the situation in my native country, almost all of us emigrated, including me. We are scattered around the world but not separated.
— What are you super interested in that most people have never heard of?
Spiritualism. I feel that it is necessary to realize that we are spiritual beings full of energy. Knowing and studying that, studying ourselves, we can handle the challenges and pleasures of life with more intelligence.
— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I always had an indescribable need to create, to change things, and to evolve constantly.
2. I am obsessed with crochet. I always tell everyone that I feel like God knitting because with a needle, yarn, and scissors, I can create anything.
3. I am entirely dedicated when something gets into my head and heart. I give all of myself when I love — including modeling.
Taito
Who:
Taito Hiraiwa (@taitai.__04) — 183 cm / 6’0″ — Japanese from Toyohashi City, Aichi prefecture, Japan — born January 4th — he/him.
Where:
Bravo Models (Tokyo – mother agency), 1ST MGT (Seoul)
— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
I have no sense of direction.
— How did you become a model?
I came to Tokyo on a trip to make my own ordered suits; I was scouted then.
— The most interesting thing about your family:
Everybody in my family roasts coffee.