Nick the Model

So a couple of weeks ago, Nick was walking through Shibuya alone.  Right outside the station at where everyone gathers a Japanese stylist named Hiro approached him and asked him if he wanted to model.  Nick was non-committal but took his business card.

He had just been lamenting his lack of cash and wondering how he was going to make some spending money in Japan.  The suggestion of "chores" had been quickly dismissed. So the lure of quick cash was prime.  When Nick told us of the offer later Ian and I had different reactions. Ian immediately thought it was scouting for porn, while I thought it was one of those offers where they get you to spend money making a "modeling portfolio".  In the end Nick contacted the guy and he assured Ian that it was on the up and up and that the job was for a runway show for Japan Fashion Week.  But first he would need to audition...

Nick and Ian went to the audition.  Nick was the youngest guy there by at least five years.  Most had portfolios and some had their own agents.  They all looked like models--read shaped eyebrows.  Nick was asked to try on some pajama-like clothes with black Dr. Martin boots.  He was one of three "amateurs" auditioning and it was set up with a judges table like America's Top Model (who would watch that show? Not me.)  Even though the judges kept saying how kawaii or cute Nick was, he felt that he would not get the job.  But they called back and he got it.

A few nights later Ian went out with some semi-famous friends and they brought along a famous actor.  When Ian told them about the job and the company, the actor said that the company was great and that when he was started out he modeled for them.  He said he would call them and tell them to take care of Nick.  I thought that the guy was just saying that to be polite during a late night of drinking, but the next day the company called to say that they heard we were friends with Ito-san and assure us that they would be good to Nick.  So Nick had a fitting and hair consult last week.  They wanted to cut his hair, but said it wasn't necessary.  Nick decided to go for the whole experience.

The day of the show Nick had to show up for hair and make-up at 11 a.m. when the show didn't start until 6:30 p.m.  Ian went with Nick to translate, but I only showed up for the main event.  I was going to bring the brothers, but they begged out.  Good thing too as it would have been totally inappropriate for them to be around.  It was big league, put-you-in-your-place jockeying among the see-and-be-seen-crowd.

after picking up your pass you are escorted to lounge area

people arriving in lounge-I went to see end of dress rehearsal

buyers exhibition floor

dress rehearsal with press

light show

first out-the theme is 70s/80s British punk

working out the walk

here comes Nick in rehearsal

good walk

It was a real bona-fide hardcore fashion show just like you might imagine.

Nick did great.

Really walked the walk.

I thought he would freak out with the crowds, but he was like an old pro.

One of the models had advised him to act like you hate everyone in the crowd so you don't smile.

All the other models were in their 20s, but Nick fit right in.

Even though they spent the entire day preparing for the show-hair, make-up, etc.  but the whole show only lasts 15 minutes tops.

Nick said the worst part was the repeated combing of the hair spray and gel into his hair as it hurt so much.

One of the stylist wants to use him in a print shoot, who knows?

perfecting detached and aloof

people started to fill the space, ultimately SRO and packed

And they're off.  Can you hear the music pumping?

Lots of chest shaving prior to fake tattoos

It's Nick!

Couldn't have looked more professional, but I'm a little biased

Back stage after the show

It was Union Jack or a cross

hair goo and make-up free

So this is the official link to the web site and his real shot as well as the clothes line.

Copy and paste below:

http://www.jfw.jp/en/brands/DISCOVERED/vol11_11ss/19