The first in a new series of interviews with Elite models, I caught up with 19 year old Alistair Waterfield, a small town boy who made it big last season walking for Burberry. His mind is filled with wonder and optimism as he plans his move to London, so I asked him about his life so far as an inspiring artist.
Alistair Waterfield, Elite Model
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Northamptonshire, it’s only an hour away from London. I live in a village, which has about three hundred people in it, which is about the same as your average one hundred metre radius in London! I was born at home and I’ve always had a village life. I really enjoy London and the energy that’s around but it’s nice when you get to go home and everything’s quiet and you know everyone.
What excites you most about London? There’s never a dull moment and always something to do, something going on. I’m moving in September because I’m starting university. I’m going to Central Saint Martins and moving into student accommodation in Old Street.
If you had to describe yourself in five words? That’s difficult! Peculiar would be one. I don’t want to say ‘quirky', I’m just a bit odd! So peculiar, that would be my number one! I’d like to think I’m friendly! So yeah, hopefully no one thinks I’m horrible! I try not to be. They all just revolve around being strange! I’m laid back, I suppose, you could say I’m quite relaxed. Low maintenance. Easy to get on with. I don’t cause a drama. I’m no diva. So there’s that and the other things too.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in Northamptonshire, it’s only an hour away from London. I live in a village, which has about three hundred people in it, which is about the same as your average one hundred metre radius in London! I was born at home and I’ve always had a village life. I really enjoy London and the energy that’s around but it’s nice when you get to go home and everything’s quiet and you know everyone.
What excites you most about London? There’s never a dull moment and always something to do, something going on. I’m moving in September because I’m starting university. I’m going to Central Saint Martins and moving into student accommodation in Old Street.
If you had to describe yourself in five words? That’s difficult! Peculiar would be one. I don’t want to say ‘quirky', I’m just a bit odd! So peculiar, that would be my number one! I’d like to think I’m friendly! So yeah, hopefully no one thinks I’m horrible! I try not to be. They all just revolve around being strange! I’m laid back, I suppose, you could say I’m quite relaxed. Low maintenance. Easy to get on with. I don’t cause a drama. I’m no diva. So there’s that and the other things too.
Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time? I don’t know where I’m going to be in ten months’ time. I’ve got my degree that I’m going to be doing alongside this job or maybe taking time out my degree to peruse modelling full time. I enjoy it and it’s a good stable form of income. Well it’s not stable, but it’s a form of income and I would offer some stability considering I'm doing some sort of art space degree, a job isn’t a guarantee at the end of the day. Ideally I’d be working as an artist from my degree so I can be exhibiting work. I’d love to be an independent artist, for me it’s a much more personal thing than appealing some brief. I know that’s where the money is but it’s a personal thing for me.
What’s your calling in life? I’m very creative. There’s another word! I listen to a lot of music, and really enjoy what people create purely from scratch. I’m big into my art. I do a bit of photography but I’ve not been doing that so much recently. I’m trying to get back into it.
What’s been your best fashion experience so far? Definitely my first show, the opening and closing of Burberry.
Can you leave us with some words of wisdom? Don’t take yourself so seriously and be relaxed because things alway seem to work out. As long as you’re making sure that you’re having fun and you’re not miserable the whole time, it’s going to be good.
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