Char

Who:
Char (Charlotte) Goodrick-Maiava (@iamchargm) — 180 cm / 5’11” — Australian/New Zealander from Palmerston North, New Zealand — born June 15th — she/her.

Where:
Nevs (London – mother agency)

— What are three interesting facts about you?
Mmmm… that’s hard!
1. The first fact about me that I think is interesting is I love to paint and draw. It’s a way for me to express and release my stress or problems!
2. Second fact I’d say is that I’m Samoan! Not many people know what Samoan is, so that’s a rare thing people come across, I guess.
3. Last but not least: I used to represent my cities in Australia and New Zealand for basketball! I love basketball and loved playing… I still kept some of my skills, so watch out; I might ankle break you.

— What’s your most prized possession and why?
This is a hard question! I can’t pick, but one of my most prized possessions is my art book!! Not because it has any specific value or because my drawings are amazing, but because it’s my own personal thing, a way for me to close off from the world, get lost in, and step into my mind. Whereas words don’t come easy to me, a pencil and paper say what I can’t say. Then, definitely my rings or necklaces, hahaha! I love my jewelry. If I don’t have any on, I feel naked or weird, plus I think it shows more of who I am!

— How did you become a model?
I got into being a model thanks to the influence of my family! Growing up, my family has always been in the creative scene, from painting to fashion designing and modeling. I first started when my mum had a fashion brand, and she used me to model her designs and used my brother to photograph! From then on, I found my love and passion for modeling!

Elza

Who:
Elza Stupnikova (@may.elza) — 180 cm / 5’11” — Russian from Saratov, Russia — born March 10th — she/her.

Where:
Aquarelle Models (Moscow – mother agency)

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
Peace. My grandmother told me about the horrors of war and that there is nothing more valuable than world peace.

— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I combine working as a model with studying for a physical education teacher.
2. I have been in professional sports for 10 years.
3. I can say hello in 18 languages.

— The most interesting thing about your family:
For several generations, our whole family has had only blue or green eyes

Freja

Who:
Freja McLean (@frejamclean) — 175 cm / 5’9″ — Australian from Hobart, Tasmania, Australia — born January 23rd — she/her.

Where:
Vivien’s Model Management (Sydney – mother agency), Next New York, Next Paris, Next Milan, Next London

— Who is someone you admire and why?
Anyone who courageously tells the truth and is sure of themselves and filters their expressions as little as possible. Those who make time for creativity and treat it as a vital part of a fascinating life. I admire that.

— An issue or cause you are passionate about:
Oo! Let’s make it 3!
1. Treating myself to biiiig cups of kindness. At the moment, for me, that looks like giggling with the barista, telling the absolute truth, recording an absolutely chaotic but charming voice message and sending it to a friend I was thinking of, scribbling little handwritten notes for people to find, or simply listening to someone, regardless of my own agenda. Realizing our kindness to others is also, really, kindness to ourselves has been a big and beautiful game changer for me. So I treat myself to it every day.
2. Tiny cafes on rainy days: finding a corner, ordering something hot in a satisfying mug (crucial), and curling up. Pen, paper, maybe a book, depending on the mood, and just staying for a long while. Very passionate about that.
3. Not complaining about the weather.

— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. Scribbling handwritten notes is most definitely my love language.
2. I was, somewhat recently, pinned to a wall by a bull in Northern India.
3. I believe everywhere is a big ol’ classroom, and we can never stop learning if we’re open to it. Exciting!

Mickael

Who:
Mickael Tjon-A-Pan (@mickael.tjon) — 183 cm / 6’0″ — French from Paris, France — born December 10th — he/him.

Where:
MC Barnes (London – mother agency), Blow Models (Barcelona)

— What are three interesting facts about you?
1. I speak five languages: French, English, Dutch, German, and Mandarin.
2. My background is very mixed as my mother was born in Suriname (South America), where she was raised speaking Dutch, and she is also Chinese. On the other hand, my dad is a European mix of Polish, Tunisian, and French.
3. I can solve a Rubik’s cube in less than 1 minute.

— The most interesting thing about your family:
My family on my mother’s side was one of the first Chinese families to migrate from China to Suriname. My father’s parents, specifically my father’s mom, went through hard times during the Holocaust because of her being Jewish.

— Who is your favorite entertainer?
I would have to say, Al Pacino. I really enjoy the way he handles himself in every role he is cast for. One of my favorite movies is Scarface. I really look up to the character Tony Montana played by Pacino.

Wilson

Who:
Wilson Echetama (@wilson_tama_) — 190 cm / 6’3″ — Nigerian from Imo State, Nigeria — born August 29th — he/him.

Where:
Renato Models (Lagos, Nigeria – mother agency), GIRL (Paris), Brave Model Management (Milan)

— Who is someone you admire and why?
Umm… No doubt that has to be Alton. That’s Alton Mason. I mean, everything about him is amazing! For me, he’s a true example of perfection!

— Your most embarrassing moment?
Cause I’m all tall and skinny, people just assume that I know how to dance or that I am a dancer. So I was out with friends, and suddenly everyone started praising and chanting for me to dance, and this girl I liked was there too. I couldn’t just say no. Well… worst mistake of my life 😵‍💫

— How did you become a model?
Two guys walked up to me one night when I was returning from school late. I thought I was being robbed at first cause it was so late, and I was new to my school then. But we talked, and it turned out they were scouts, so we exchanged contacts and stuff. I guess that was how my journey began. I’ve always had a passion for modeling but never acted on it. It turns out that was my breaking point, lol.