Who:
Elena Weber — @elenakweber — American from Overland Park, Kansas, USA — born October 1st — 178 cm / 5’10” — she/her.

Where:
Arizona Model Management (Tucson – mother agency), Women / 360 (New York), VISION Los Angeles

— How did you become a model?
A little bit after college, I was walking around a county fair when I was approached by a woman asking if I was interested in modeling. This lady introduced me to Wendy, my mother agent. Admittedly, when I first met Wendy, I had a bit of a post-meeting freak-out and ended up ghosting her for about a year. But after taking time to grow up, both internally and in terms of confidence, I reached back out to her to see if I could give it a try again. One year later, and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

— Tell us about your hometown.
I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas, the home of college basketball! I love to describe it as a velvet rut; Silky smooth, soft and comfy, but easy to get stuck in. It’s a brilliant small town with a super cute downtown and many small businesses, but it leaves minimal room to progress outside of what you already know. There are various reasons for this phenomenon, but it’s quite easy to underestimate your goals when it seems like having easy, simple days could be so much better. It’s easy to get caught in that comfortability and it can be challenging to embrace change, especially the type that requires you to leave the velvet. But once you leave, you realize there are plenty of just as soft (and dare I say softer!) places out there for you to establish your roots. That, I suppose, is the phase of life I’m in right now, figuring out my velvet home!

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. My primary hobby is hobby collecting – Perhaps this is a term I made up myself, but I really enjoy collecting different hobbies. My interest in different things tends to wax and wane with the seasons, so having many interests really helps facilitate year-long wonder! Currently, I’m really focusing on weightlifting, learning Spanish, and surfing since I’m currently in LA! When I am at home, I spend quite a bit of time learning my bass guitar, biking the trails with my dad, and cooking new recipes I find in cookbooks from the local library!
2. I can drive manual – My first car in high school was a manual car, and I’ve had a serious love for them ever since. To be honest, it was a horrific and exhaustive process to learn how to drive, but the results were so incredibly rewarding. And taking that time to fail and try again while learning taught me a lot about myself and how important perseverance is. This past year, I got my first automatic car, and I’m missing zooming around in my manual quite a bit!
3. I am a spoon connoisseur – every time I go on a trip, I make it a point to buy a spoon or acquire a spoon from one of my many activities (I have a few times asked a restaurant for a spoon, 50/50 success rate on that one). It’s definitely an odd souvenir, but you’d be really shocked by the variety of spoons all around the world, and since they are all so different, I usually remember exactly where I was when I got it. I have this great wooden spoon from one of my many trips to NYC in 2021 that I still use to this day, and I get to relive the amazing memories of the weekend with my friend every time I use it!

Who:
Gwen Days — @gwendaze — American from Atlanta, Georgia, USA — born June 10th — 179 cm / 5’10.5″ — she/her.

Where:
Supreme Management (New York), BRI’GEID AGENCY (New York – mother agency), Supreme Management (Paris)

— The most interesting thing about your family:
My family and I are blessed to say we have done a beautiful photoshoot with the talented Tyler Mitchell, where our photos were featured in Vogue, displayed in a museum exhibit, admired by hundreds of visitors, and put on display. It was an amazing experience for everyone and came out to be timeless.

— What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
I would definitely say stretching. I have the main stretches I can do anywhere at least once a day. It’s good to appreciate your body and keep yourself functioning.

— How did you become a model?
I’ve always had a love for the camera and bringing art to life. Only a few years ago, my beloved friend Justice actually scouted me while living in Atlanta. A vision was seen; soon after, I received a phone call informing me I’d be speaking with my (now) current mother agent. The call went well, resulting in me traveling to New York to start my journey. It’s been a beautiful rollercoaster ever since.

Who:
Matiss Abigam — @matiss_nyc — American from Brooklyn, NY, USA — born September 25th — 189 cm / 6’2.5″ — he/him.

Where:
Wilhelmina New York, Wilhelmina Miami (mother agency),

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. My grandfather was a professional artist, and I also love to draw. My mom even named me Matiss after the French artist Henri Matisse
2. No one knows, but I have an African name too. It’s “Chiebuka.”
3. Once, my twin brother was supposed to take part in a kids’ fashion show, but at the last moment, he refused to go on the runway — so I went in his place.

— One thing people may be surprised to find out about you:
People are surprised when I speak Russian fluently

— Tell us about your hometown.
My hometown is in Russia. I was born in Moscow. My mom is Russian, and my father is Nigerian, so I absorbed both cultures and hope I took the best from each side. Almost seven years ago, my whole family moved to America, and this country has become my second home

Who:
Megan Nguyen — @megannguyen_14 — American from Michigan, USA — born December 16th — 174 cm / 5’8.5″ — she/her.

Where:
JAG Models (New York), Our Model Management (Detroit – mother agency)

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I was MVP for my high school Varsity Tennis Team.
2. When I was a toddler, I was severely burned (3rd degree) on my arm. I had to get a skin graft, and the scar is still visible on my right forearm. The reason I was burned was because I climbed up on the dining table and stuck my hand into scorching hot noodles.
3. I have many hobbies: Sewing, makeup, drawing, painting, playing games, tennis, and I want to get into ice skating.

— How did you become a model?
Throughout my life, family and friends would encourage me to model. I never thought modeling could be something I could do because of my insecurities about being an Afro-Asian. Soon, I realized just how diverse modeling had become over the years, and I built up the courage to join my first agency.

— What’s a story your family/friends like to tell about you?
Back when I was in preschool, my father would drive me to the bus stop. He would make sure I was safe by following the bus every day until I got to school.

Who:
Rod Ashaba — @imissrod — Ugandan from Kampala, Uganda — born October 14th — 189 cm / 6’2.5″ — he/him.

Where:
His Laboratory Management (Los Angeles), Wallflower Management (Dallas – mother agency), New York Model Management

— Share a bit about your background and upbringing.
I was born and raised in Uganda and lived there for 12 years of my life. My parents always took the high note of elaborating the importance of education, character, friendship, & perseverance, due to our fortunate standards of living, as my father was a government geophysicist & my mother was an attorney for a women’s advocacy firm. My demeanour is beautifully reflected by their attention to the choices in my life that lead me with gentleness, understanding, and acceptance of the intrinsic values not visible in most people, which has helped me in parsing through the highs & lows that many continue to face in this industry.

— What are 3 interesting facts about you?
1. I’m a part of an alternative hip-hop band & have been for a couple of years as a musician, photographer & art director!
2. I recently graduated with a BAsC in Pre-Med Neuroscience & was a part of a neurobiological research lab with a focus on the auditory system w/ Fragile X Syndrome.
3. I love helping my friends with projects regardless of whether I have experience in it. Being able to learn through frustration really does make life worth living through and through.

— How did you become a model?
My best friend, Zach, in our freshman year of college, picked up film photography as his design program & interest in media began to intertwine steadily. After asking me a few times to be captured creatively, with my nervousness in mind, he invited me to the drawing board to also visualize the potential he saw in me. As project after project passed and we began to share our work to build our independent portfolios & collaborate with different stores, an agent saw my face right before I submitted my first fresh digitals, and the rest is history! I recently moved to NY & have been working here for 6 months to navigate the industry, with the hope of instilling more confidence in those who wish to give me a chance as I explore my creative mediums.

Who:
Shawn Peterkin — @shawnlpeterkin — American from Jacksonville, Florida, USA — born May 31st — 188 cm / 6’2″ — he/him.

Where:
Umodels Management (mother agency)

— What’s an essential part of your daily routine?
An essential part of my day is definitely my morning routine, making my bed, cleaning my room, working out, taking a shower, doing my skin care, and taking care of my body to have longevity, not just within this industry but in life.

— What is your biggest irrational fear?
I think my biggest fear is not succeeding in the biggest way humanly possible. I have a lot of talent, drive, and will, and I understand that if I put all that to my advantage and work my hardest, anything is achievable!

— How did you become a model?
Through my own will, I like to say. Taking numerous trips to NY to meet with agencies and go to open calls, booking my first shows and photo shoots on my own, doing free work to build my portfolio, as well as gaining experience to become more confident.