THE BARE NECESSITIES. Charlie Matthews returns to show how a good model can make the best of even the flimsiest fashion items, while discussing about his life in the business
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Back in mid-2016 DA MAN featured a woodland-themed fashion spread featuring two male models. One of them was Charlie Matthews. And now he’s back again in his own fashion feature with decidedly fewer trees … and also fewer articles of clothing. However, we do get to learn more about Matthews himself, as he opens up about his first steps into the world of modeling, how he has branched out to jewelry design and much, much more.
DA MAN: Hi, Charlie, great to have you back. We last saw you for a photo shoot in our June/July 2016 issue. What have you been busy with these past months?
Charlie Matthews: Over the past few months, I’ve been busy working with my regular clients here in L.A. such as Guess, Mr. Turk and I’m also working on my jewelry line I launched back in January.
DA MAN: Going back even further, all the way to the beginning, can you tell us how you got your start in modeling?
Charlie Matthews: I actually got scouted walking out of my car from the grocery store called Stater Bros. Markets where I used to work at in a small town in Yorba Linda, California. He gave me his card and eventually I did a photoshoot and it got leaked out on social media and that’s how I found my mother agent.
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DA MAN: What was it—campaign shoot, editorial or runway show—that really solidified your position in the business?
Charlie Matthews: Last year definitely set the bar high for me as I worked with some of the top magazines as well as runway shows. I was grateful to get an opportunity to shoot with legendary photographer Bruce Weber for V, with Nicki Minaj for Marie Claire, shoot for Steve Madden and walk in the Moschino show.
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DA MAN: So far, what has been the most unexpected, crazy or otherwise awesome thing you had to do for a photo shoot?
Charlie Matthews: I say the one that stood out the most was shooting with Nicki Minaj for Marie Claire—nude. Never in a million years did I think that something like this would have ever happened. [Laughs]
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DA MAN: Among your more recent fashion shows, there was the one for Moschino’s spring/summer 2017 presentation. How was the experience for you?
Charlie Matthews: It was surreal; it was the first major show I’ve ever done and it was definitely a game changer for me. I’ve worked with Jeremy Scott in the past and having him give me an opportunity to work with him again … I am very humbled.
DA MAN: Now, obviously, what you wore on that show was super colorful with a ton of embellishments. What do you wear for more normal occasions? Occasions where you still want to appear reasonably fashionable, that is…
Charlie Matthews: I like it to keep casual but on special occasions I like dressing in Calvin Klein, Emporio Armani, Moschino with Versace, or my high-top Aldo boots.
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DA MAN: What is your number-one, non-negotiable rule for personal styling and grooming?
Charlie Matthews: I have to represent my Charlie Matthews Jewels for styling and always keep my hair slicked back.
DA MAN: Speaking of which, can you tell us the story behind Charlie Matthews Jewels?
Charlie Matthews: So, last year I got more into fashion and decided to buy accessories when I was shopping at Fifth Avenue in New York City. At the same time, a company reached out to me and gave me an amazing opportunity to start my own jewelry line. I thought this would be a great opportunity to start a successful collection under my name.
DA MAN: What, would you say, is your collection’s DNA? What makes your designs unique?
Charlie Matthews: I’d say the shapes. I wanted to use beads and color combinations to make them stand out from the other bracelets out there.
DA MAN: Moving on to the lighter side of life, we noticed you also have a pretty active YouTube channel. What do you enjoy the most about making videos?
Charlie Matthews: I want people to get to know more about me, my personality and what I usually do on a daily basis. What’s best about making YouTube videos is engaging with my followers and getting to know them more.
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DA MAN: Do you have any long term plans when it comes to video making? Make your own web series, perhaps?
Charlie Matthews: I thought about that but I would have to get a bigger audience for that since my YouTube channel is still young.
DA MAN: And what are your overall long-term goals? Or perhaps, what are the next career or personal milestones that you want to achieve?
Charlie Matthews: My long term goals is to book multiple campaigns with higher end brands and work with legendary photographers such as Mario Testino, Mario Sorrenti, Steven Klein or Mert and Marcus.
DA MAN: You’re also noted for your passion for sports like baseball, basketball as well as track and field. Do you still play or train in these?
Charlie Matthews: I play in a basketball league on the weekends in my hometown in California and also started to play golf. Golf is very new to me, so whenever I get a chance, I’ll go out on the course to practice my swing.
DA MAN: Final question: Do you have any advice for any aspiring models out there who want to be just as successful as you?
Charlie Matthews: My advice to aspiring models out there is to keep hustling. Never give up and find the right person or agency who is willing to commit to you to reach for the stars.
Briefs by Emporio Armani
Briefs by Calvin Klein
Photography @ANIKANDUNE
Styling Lauren LaRocca
Grooming Grace Phillips
Model Charlie Matthews/DT Model Management L.A.