Out: How old are you?
Mikus Lasmanis: 22
Where are you from?
Latvia. It’s a small country in the Baltic region, in northern Europe.
What were you doing before you started modeling?
When I first started, I was only in ninth grade. But I didn't really understand what it was. Let's just say I didn't take it seriously as most of the guys did. Then I took a break from it or, to be honest, it took a break from me. When I revisited a modeling career I was in university, studying something that I had no interest in -- business and economy. I had nothing to lose and I came to New York to pursue modeling.
How did you come to be a model?
When I was 14 I was walking down the street with my mum and someone came up to me and said that I have a very interesting face and asked if I would be interested in taking a few quick Polaroids. I laughed and said, “Sure, why not?” Later I was teased by couple of girls in school that I should be a model. I despised them.
What was your first shoot? Were you nervous?
My first shoot was Prada Sport campaign (unfortunately it was never released). I was a little nervous but everyone was really nice and that helped. I made them nervous, too, because in the fitting nothing fit me.
What do you like most about modeling?
Let's just say that three years ago my parents were super worried and desperate about my future. Now they tell me that they are really proud of who I am and what I do.
What do you like least about modeling?
The waiting. But I’ve learned to fill it with reading.
What was your favorite shoot to work on?
A test shoot with Carter Smith. I’ll never forget it. It was it his basement in his upstate house. The idea of the shoot was that I was a murderer and I had killed someone really close to me -- I don’t really know why -- but the fact was that the other person was dead and I was covered in blood and naked in my basement with a hook in my head. It was the closest I have ever been to acting, which is my dream. The other thing was that Carter didn't have any water in his house or heat -- only tequila, ha! -- and it was wintertime. So I was shooting in someone’s basement naked and getting drunk. Tequila was the only thing that kept me warm!
What is usually the reaction when you tell people that you're a model?
It depends on the people. Some don’t even consider it a job while some are very interested in what the lifestyle is like.
What's your fitness routine? How often do you work out? What do you do at the gym?
Now I try to be very focused and healthy. Eating good food, waking up early, going to bed before 10 p.m., working out. Those things are very important for my routine. Gym!? I don’t really like the gym. I try to use exercises where I can use only my own body without any additional help.
What's your diet like? What are your favorite foods? Do you have to avoid any foods to maintain your body?
I try to eat healthy. Most of my food I steam myself. My favorite treat, though, is Hershey’s white chocolate. My metabolism is still working well enough to get rid of all the bad food that I eat, but soon I’ll have to pay way more attention.
Who are some people you'd like to work with in the industry that you haven't yet?
Anyone that can teach me something new.
What do you see yourself doing after this?
I will kiss my wife and daughter get dressed and go to the city to meet my friend and go to a Russian bath.
Do you have any other side projects that you're working on?
Yes.
Are you particularly interested in fashion or is it just a job? Who's your favorite designer?
At the beginning I had no interest about fashion in general, now I try to follow up what is going and it does really interest me. My favorite designers are Yohji Yamamoto and Nicholas K.
