Phoenix James
Below are TWO Exclusive Interviews with our featured model, Phoenix James taken from Allezom Magazine and Urban World's Model Focus...
Phoenix James - Cover Feature & Interview in US high fashion & entertainment magazine, Allezom.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I am currently a full time model. I have been modeling for just over a year. During this time I have also been actively choreographing fashion shows, doing photography, directing and co-ordinating and organising photoshoots and other fashion related events.
What sparked your interest in modeling?
I began modeling at 16 and continued for two more years until my writing and music began to take off. After much writing, recording, traveling and touring I decided I was comfortable with taking a break from that to focus on some of the other creative things I am equally passionate about which include modeling.
Do you consider yourself attractive? Do you think that may help to succeed?
I do consider myself attractive. I say that not just because I am and because people say so but also because I believe for any model aspiring to be successful in the field has to have and maintain that view of themselves constantly. If they don't believe that inside about themselves, it will radiate outward and also the same for if they do believe it. So yes, I consider myself extremely attractive..lol
Do you think the pressure to be thin is the same for male models as it is for female models?
I dont think the pressure for male models to be thin is as much as it is for female models however I do think there is a healthy pressure for all models male and female to always be in good shape and well groomed.
What do you think about the modeling world?
I think the modeling world is a very competitive, challenging, demanding, artistic and creative place to be. Perhaps why I enjoy it as I do.
Are you a fashion guy? What do you like to wear when you are not working as a model?
I am definitely a fashionable person. 100%. I owe that to being a creative person. Even when I am not working as a model there is still a concern for me in regards to how my clothes are put together and what I am wearing. Sometimes I'll wear a suit and tie on my days off just because I like style and dressing up.
How did you develop your skills as a photographer?
My skills as a photographer were developed through creating mini exhibitions when I was younger. I would do things like dress up a mannequin and take photos or photograph flowers and water fountains. Taking photographs of my clients for my brochure when I did hairdressing taught me a lot about angles and lighting. I once did photography exhibition of Bob Marley. Things kind of developed from all of that.
What is your favorite place for taking photos?
I dont actually have a favourite place for taking photos. Everywhere and everything is a photograph for me. I see everything as a series of portraits or movie stills. Everything is a moment to be captured. Theres a classic photgraphic moment in everything, you just have to be on time.
Your work is very creative. Where do you get your ideas and inspiration from?
My ideas and inspiriation comes from, without being too vague, people, places and things. I get ideas from movies and theatre, music, other photographs and photographers and generally watching everyday people and of course at shows and out and about.
What future modeling projects are you excited about?
I am really excited about some of the upcoming projects i am currently involved in. Fashion Romance UK is growing and expanding into many other areas besides just being known as an exclusive fashion networking event, which is really great. I'll be modeling in a few more magazines this winter and part of a few widespread campaigns for various things which is a great lead up towards the end of the year. Looking forward to developing my acting more aswel which my agent is pushing me for also. There's much in store for and from me right now.
Do you feel you are able to express yourself more as a photographer than a model?
Not at all, I am equally passionate about everything I do. I am a creative individual before anything else. Everything I do I do with the same artistic drive, tenacity and committment. I always aim to be better in each new thing than the last thing though it be something completely different or new.
What do you love most about your career?
What I love most about my career is the freedom and ability to be as creative as I want to be. I have always lived a life of creativity and expression and thats what will always make me happy, and for me personally, validate my existence. Tomorrow when I feel I have achieved what I set out to create within a specific area or field, it will be on to create something else even more creative and challenging. But always creating. Thats my passion.
How do you market yourself?
I market myself through my work mostly and through others who experience and value what I do. Its like word of mouth will always be a strong form of marketing. I use most if not all of the other mediums available at that time e.g television, radio, internet, mobile phones, flyers and leaflets, t-shirts, periodicals etc. Marketing and promotion is key!
What would you like for our audience to know about you?
I guess at this time I'd like for people just to know that it is okay to contact me, add me to their online networks like myspace, facebook etc. I don't bite and I am always interested in meeting, connecting and collaborating with different people in their varying creative fields whatever they may be. The more people we connect with the more we learn, the more we grow and the more we can create and so on.
This interview is for Allezom Magazine and can be located on the official Allezom Magazine website at: http://www.allezommagazine
Phoenix James expresses a very special thanks & credit to his team:
Designer & Stylist: Aaron Ray Dowie
Make Up Artist: Andrea Sterling
Photographer: Keddy Marsin
Studio Director: Adrian Pini
Also to:
Allezom CEO & Founder: Mozella Sullivan
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Phoenix James - Hot New Interview on Urban World's Model Focus
We know you by two names, Phoenix James and Phenzwaan Who are you really?
Yes, I have many names and many faces, I am an extra-terrestrial...presen
Apart from modelling you're also a poet. I've seen girls going wild while you're doing a poetry performance on stage, but then you are delivering some raunchy stuff. Tell us a little about that?
Yes, I've been a spoken word artist and performance poet for a long while now, writing for myself and others. Again it's one of my passions as is anything that gives me an opportunity to create and experiment with new ideas, new things, new concepts etc and with poetry it allows me to express verbally what is on my mind, explore language, expression and speech all of which again I have a great love for. Since I began writing poetry professionally in 1998 I've had the opportunity to delve into different areas of writing through various commissions for my work which has also allowed me to expand my abilities within the artform beyond poetry. I say artform as that's how I view writing. Yes I've heard a few stories that one or two ladies have happened to lose their underwear here and there at my performances and otherwise over the time that I've been doing it..lol. I just express what's on my mind as opposed to what I think people want to hear and often a lot of poets, writers etc don't allow themselves to let go that much and I feel that's part of the attraction to my work. I've been told my work is honest.
Having all this rolled into one must make you a hit with the ladies. Are you available or is there that special ONE?
Yeah I get that a lot. You see, the thing is most females automatically assume I'm taken or I must have woman already or be in a committed relationship already or I must be married and so most don't even approach me and that's like the majority of women. So you have all these fine women around who most of would probably make a great companion..potentially and they're not even looking my way. On top of that, contrary to popular belief..lol I'm actually quite shy when it comes to approaching women, I need to have like a clear sign that she's interested in me or I don't even go there...totally. I have a whole piece I wrote about it in my new manuscript. It's not out yet but the piece is called Rescue Me. No I'm single. I'm still on the look out for the ONE. I haven't given up yet I'm still searching. Ladies, anyone who sees this I'm single!! If anyone sees my future wife please please please tell her I'm looking for her, I need rescuing and she needs to come and save me and provide me deliverance from my promiscuous and whorish ways...lol
How did you get into modelling?
I started modelling at 16 and did so for a couple more years until my writing etc started to take off and I went touring and recording and travelling etc. That was my first introduction into modelling. One of my first shows was a men's modelling competition sponsored by Chupa Chups. As you can imagine it's great to come back to it now as one of my passions and to have it work out as well as it has done since I've made the return with my most recent award and magazine cover feature in the US etc. People think it's been years but it really hasn't been that long it's only been months. I just had a desire to return to it as another creative field I started off in when I was younger that was at the time cut short. How I got into it back then was pretty much the same thing again; a desire to be creative and express myself.
Whats your stats?
Neck 42cm, Chest 40-42, Waist 32-34, Inside Leg 31-33, Shoe 9. I wear most things. All designers etc feel free to get in touch.
Who you'd like to model with?
I think I'd enjoy modelling with absolutely anyone male or female who is a great model whether famous, recognised or otherwise as long as they're committed and dedicated to it whether as a profession or as an art form or both. I'd like to model with any great model who generally has a love for modelling as well as fashion and photography or at least an understanding or desire to understand those aspects additionally to just being a 'model'. I like modelling with models who push the boundaries, who are also not afraid to experiment and are always aiming to improve on everything they manage to create.
What do you think of the current UK urban modelling scene: Males and Females?
I think the UK urban modelling scene like everything else has a place. It's a growing and ever developing and expanding scene. There have been considerable breakthroughs and improvements over the past 20 months. It has a movement of its own and brings its own creative edge to other aspects of the modelling industry that are not considered as urban or were not present before in terms of creativity and ideas and style. I came up as part of the urban scene doing my first ever shows and shoots etc so of course I will always work well in that arena as well and always have an affinity, respect and love for it as well as that which I have developed for all other areas within modelling and fashion culture.
Anything else that you'd like to add?
I think that's it for now. If anyone wants to reach me they can locate me online via facebook, myspace etc just search 'Phoenix James' or 'Phenzwaan'. In fact I have a facebook and myspace for both. All stalkers welcome..lol..and ladies i'm single!!..incase you all missed that part earlier...rescue me lol.
Oh and one of my favourite quotes is by Willie Mays...
"In order to excel, you must be completely dedicated to your chosen sport. You must also be prepared to work hard and be willing to accept destructive criticism. Without 100 percent dedication, you won't be able to do this."
This interview is for Urban World and can be located on the official Urban World website at: http://www.urbanworld.co.u