THE LONDON BLOKE – DAMAN catches up with the London based model about his busy modeling days and future acting project
With his piercing blue eyes and rugged look, it’s not a surprise he is represented by six model management at once at the moment. In just under 6 years big fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani and Hugo Boss has trusted this London based model for their campaign, along with other brands.
Always comfortable in front of the camera and on the set, he makes sure that the clients get what they needed in the most professional way. He prepares himself perfectly before a big campaign shoot, no parties and a good 8-hours of sleep does the trick. Despite his busy modeling schedule, Alsford got the chance to explore his acting ability with a short movie that is coming out in a few months. The days of studying Geology are behind him and we are here to witness his long modeling journey ahead.
DAMAN: The earliest Polaroid of you found was back in 2013, what’s the story on that?
George Alsford: 2013…that must have been roughly when this world began for me. All I can say is I must have been younger and wiser back then!
DAMAN: When and how did you get discovered?
George Alsford: I started the fashion game when I was 21 years old whilst studying geology (yes…rocks) at the University of Brighton. I was chosen for a television documentary travelling around Africa, living with the locals and carrying out their jobs and living off their wages. It was a poignant experience and from that Select Model Management scouted me – what a bizarre year, but I wanted to see the opportunity would lead…and I’m still here.
DAMAN: Any memorable casting experience you can share?
George Alsford: One comes to mind…when I first started let’s just say I was not exuding masculinity and I had a casting to be the next ‘Coca Cola Man`. I honestly thought it was a joke when I got into the casting, I was definitely inferior. Walked into the casting room where there were five people with three cameras already filming me and I proceeded to do as many press ups and sit ups as I could (not many) before I even said a word, in my now flustered state I had to take my shirt off in a slow motioned fashion after spilling an invisible coke can over my torso that was rolled to me by a group of pretend adoring females. I swung my t-shirt around my head after winking at the casting agent and bursting into laughter, thankfully they all joined in with me. I found out later they were actually impressed by my audition…but I lost out to a much more alpha…and serious fella.
DAMAN: What was your first major campaign? Tell us more about the experience
George Alsford: It was in my first year of modeling, I shot the Pepe Jeans campaign with the truly talented Josh Olins with Cara Delevigne. It must have gone well as I shot it a further two more times, I went in with no preconceptions just to be polite and professional. I had a proper laugh, I had to drive a vintage car around the streets of Notting Hill and walk a stubborn English bulldog through the markets whilst being chummy with Cara. The client and team were glorious, so I was very fortunate. I thought it was bizarre that there were flocks of paparazzi there and that Cara had to run off to get changed in a blacked out car…turns out she was famous, I had no idea at the time until I saw her on the front of a magazine when I was getting the underground back home.
DAMAN: Tell us more about your personal style
George Alsford: My dad always tells me, “It’s best to be overdressed than underdressed.” I enjoy wearing tailored suits and shining my shoes rocking a fedora and bit of gold but also I take inspiration from retro loungewear. So let’s say…suits and tracksuits.
DAMAN: You have a quite following on Instagram and you post quite regularly. How important is social media presence for your career?
George Alsford: Believe it or not, my social media and it’s following has never booked me a job in my whole career. I have always worked from how I interact with clients and the team in person, reworked because of this and booked new jobs from the calibre of my previous work and my reputation, alongside superb agents.
DAMAN: What’s your normal day looked like from am to pm?
George Alsford: If I’m working abroad, I’ll wake up with a brief moment of “where am I?”, shower, then turn up promptly to the job and do what needs to be done. Most days if I’m not working, which is rare, I exercise early and I enjoy cooking in my down time, specifically BBQ. So I would cook all day and get my pals around in the evening for some good grub and a couple of laughs.
DAMAN: Is there anyone in the fashion industry you look up to? And why
George Alsford: Too many to mention specifics. I admire my agents for all the work they put in behind the scenes for myself. It is always appreciated. I know photographers that were struggling to arrange test shoots that are now shooting covers daily and designers that were unknown that now have globally successful lines.
DAMAN: How busy are you during fashion weeks, how many shows you usually book
George Alsford: I am very fortunate in that I have been widely successful without the need of choosing to do shows. So, I am usually very busy during fashion week clearing up nice work while they are on the catwalk.
DAMAN: Any exciting projects happening in the next months?
George Alsford: I recently got into acting and I just finished a short film that will be coming out over the coming months, very different pace from a fashion campaign. It’s based on a depressed alcoholic who attempts to commit suicide…powerful stuff. It was a great role to play, filmed and directed by an impressive Danish team. I also have some great fashion campaigns in the pipeline…got to wait and see on those ones!
DAMAN: What is the best destination you’ve ever visited for work and why
George Alsford: I have to say Fiji was an immense trip, such beautiful islands and welcoming people. I shot in Hawaii also at the end of last year and similarly it was beyond! It was incredibly laid back and accommodating company, beautiful scenes and fresh Poké. Lovely!
DAMAN: How do you separate your personal and professional life
George Alsford: There is a saying in England, “Don’t s*** on your own doorstep!” and my front porch has never needed cleaning.
DAMAN: Top 3 songs that are on your playlist right now and why do you love them
George Alsford: I am currently listening to the soothing sounds of Chet Baker as we speak…love some Jazz. Jacob Banks – Caroline, and Mac Miller’s latest album. R.I.P you influential artist.
DAMAN: What was your teenage year feels like
George Alsford: Teenage years was me being a rascal with a motley crew of friends, skating around London and being promiscuous. God bless.
DAMAN: If you could go back in time, what would you do first?
George Alsford: I would claim that I invented Google.
OUTTAKE
Photography Mitchell Nguyen Mccormack
Styling Britton Litow
Grooming Castillo at The Only Agency
Model George Alsford/Select Model Management
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