An interview he did to promote Eternity Aqua
http://www.moodiereport.com/document.php?c_id=29&doc_id=23160Eternity Aqua aims to bring another facet to the Calvin Klein Eternity fragrance franchise. It is described as a modern, aquatic woody scent that embodies casual elegance, easy confidence and effortless charm.
The fragrance face, model Ben Hill, is the personification of all those qualities. Born and raised in Sugar Hill, Georgia, he oozes southern charm and charisma as he discusses his partnership with Calvin Klein and Coty.
“I am really happy that I am representing a fragrance that I really love, and has a lot of history behind it,” he declares.
Hill is dressed in a stylish, slim-fitting grey suit, wears a jaunty hat and sports an immaculately trimmed beard. He also possesses what must surely be the most piercing blue eyes on the planet – the perfect accessory for a fragrance called Aqua.
Hill is also engaging, articulate, and considers every question carefully .“I was super ecstatic about being chosen [as the fragrance face],” he tells The Moodie Report. “I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited, but nervous too. Every actor or model gets a little nervous at first about something really strong or big that they have to carry, and I knew I was responsible for something very important.”
Hill says he grew up with Calvin Klein, and as a consumer it’s a brand he’s always known. “I grew up on it,” he shrugs. “I wore his stuff for years. When I was in college, some of the first jeans I had were Calvin Klein. It’s always been a part of my life. And I can tell you for a fact, the first suit I ever bought – with my own money – was Calvin Klein.”
Hill also claims that the first fragrance he ever bought was Calvin Klein’s Obsession. “Oh, they got me good, when I was just a kid,” he laughs. “But it’s true. I remember all my friends talking about it, when we were young and first getting into all that.
“My aunt took me cologne shopping; she always bought me a fragrance every year,” he continues. “She would give me her card for Rich’s [a department store] and let me pick what I wanted, and I remember that’s what I bought.”
Hill says fragrance was a treat for him when growing up. “I knew I was going to get some at certain times of the year, Christmas and my birthday. When I got older, I made my own choices, and I reckon I have bought every single Calvin Klein fragrance, because it all smells pretty good on me.”
But certain favourites he has stuck with. “The basic Eternity has always been a staple,” he notes. “I’m careful not to run out of that.”
Returning to the subject of Eternity Aqua, Hill generously paid tribute to the teamwork on the shoot, singling out the stylist Karl Templer and the photographer David Sims. “It was the first time I’d worked with both those guys, and they were amazing,” he notes. “And we were lucky enough to be in a great location, in Montauk.
“It was really great fun,” he continues. “The team had their kids there, so there was a relaxed family vibe. It was not such a strenuous shoot. Everyone seemed laid-back, with no high tension – and trust me, not all shoots are like that.”
