One, two, three…countless! Through countless reviews of editorial concepts and pause-rewind-play-repeat runway coverage, many models so aptly represented Spring/Summer 2011. Yet, one proved himself worthy of dialogue thanks to his incredibly intriguing eye-candy appearances in a handful of magazine favorites and catwalks. The 27 year-old risen talent is the unstoppable Austrain model: Gerhard Freidl. This fashion phenomenon is of choice recognition and it would be incredulous for him to go unnoticed. Starting his career as an average subway go-er, Freidl has worked with fashion legends and traveled on several continents in front of the camera.
Making a name for himself, this S/S 2011 you have probably seen the blonde-haired blue-green-eyed beauty gracing Blush, Twist, Pen, and Slurp magazines in addition to Hamaki-Ho,Manuel Ritz and Blaur campaigns (to say the least!). Further, this past fall and summer you might have caught a glimpse of him for the Just Cavalli, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gianfranco Ferre, Z Zegna, Iceberg, Corneliani, Canali, Daniele Alessandrini, Albino Deuxieme S/S 2011 fashion weeks. Demonstrating his mastery of S/S 2011, the fashion world was also particularly taken by his most recent successful dominance in the Fall/Winter 2011 arena. Freidl is the essence of a model, and captivation and excitement is barely containable for his presence in Spring/Summer 2012. In an exclusive interview with SceneBSeen, he presents us with an inside look on his experience in the modeling world thanks to his agencies: Weiner Models in Austria, VNY in New York, and NEW Madison in Paris.
Monica Bedi: How did you get started in the modeling industry?
Gerhard Freidl: One day I went home from the university and my booker Kosmas Pavlos, saw me in a subway station in Vienna and asked me if I want to be a a model.
MB: Describe your first casting.
GF: It was on the day of my arrival in Paris. I have never been in this city before, I had been a little bit overwhelmed and helpless - I have to admit. My French agency NEW Madison sent me to Louis Vuitton. I was really nervous therefore I forgot my book at home (something I laugh about today), but the people from Louis Vuitton were okay with that and took it as a joke.
MB: Describe your first day on-the-job as a model.
GF: At first I was a little bit nervous, because I was working with Jean-Baptiste Mondino for Numero. But he was very friendly and therefore it was an easy job.
MB: Describe your first runway show.
GF: My first runway show was for Burberry. I opened the show therefore I was tremendously nervous. I have been really happy that Christopher Bailey gave me that chance.
MB: What is your favorite runway you've walked on?
GF: There have been so many great shows I was allowed to participate in. Burberry, Gucci etc. Even smaller brands have great shows.
MB: What has been your most embarrassing moment thus far in the industry?
GF: I almost fell down on a runway once, everybody realized it and started to laugh (me too!)
MB: What has been your most successful moment thus far in the industry?
GF: The Gucci campaign was something very important for me, but there had been a few editorials I did which were really satisfying. One that I am really proud on, will be released in June for Studio Magazine with Bruno van Mossevelde.
MB: What designer do you hope to work for in the future?
GF: Karl Lagerfeld is somebody I never worked with. I hope will get the chance to.
MB: What do you like most about the industry?
GF: You get the opportunity to travel a lot and gather a lot of experience.
MB: What do you like least about the industry?
GF: There is nothing that I really don't like.
MB: Do you have a male model that you look up to? Models?
GF: No. I always admired people like Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman or Christoph Waltz.
MB: What inspires you to continue your journey in the industry?
GF: The hunger for more inspires me to continue my journey in the industry. I really like to be part of a production and lately I got in touch with acting, so maybe I want to go more in that direction.
MB: What are your favorite places that you traveled to due to your career?
GF: Tokyo, because I like the culture, the food and the people are very friendly. Also, Skagen, Denmark, because of the landscape and the silence there, that gives the opportunity to "breathe" for a moment.
MB: Besides modeling, what other hobbies do you enjoy?
GF: I enjoy hiking, climbing, reading, and writing.
MB: Describe your life as model in three words:
GF: Easy, Difficult, Unpredictable.
