Sat Apr 10
Thomas Keyes Interview
In London, where you’re only as controversial as your last tattoo, it becomes difficult to rise above the pack. When you take off the censor it makes you more memorable, and model Thomas Keyes does just that. Yes, just to make the story more interesting, this interview has been tampered with to save face. But if anything, Thomas gives us a true taste of life as a male model. He’s been shot for British GQ, Topman, Balenciaga, Contributing Editor and has walked for many runways including Dior Homme. Polas Credit Jolijn Snijders.
TA: Hey, when did u turn into Marcel [Castenmiller]?
TT: Last night.
TA: Just over night. I heard a show with him.
TT: You heard a show?
TA: Did a show I mean.
TT: He’s pretty cool?
TA: Really laid back, quite quiet.
TT: He’s from around here. That’s why he’s my profile picture and Pete Voelker took it.
TA: Ah, cool.
TT: Isn’t it like 12:30 there?
TA: Yeah.
TT: Do you know Alex Wells?
TA: He is my friend. Yeah, one of my good friends.
TT: Oh, well we were talking earlier and he said he had to go kip sunshine or something. I thought it was pretty funny.
TA: Kip sunshine wtf? Oh did he say he had to go kip sunshine?
TT: Yeah, that’s it.
TA: It means I’m going to go sleep mate, kind of.
TT: It was pretty awkward.
TA: He’s straight don’t worry.
TT: I’m not really down with the London lingo stuff. But speaking of him, we did an interview, and if you have time, it would be nice to round out the London bunch.
TA: How do you mean round out the London bunch?
TT: Like, I got Will Eustace and Alex. And then you if you had the time, unless you have to go kip a sunshine or whatever.
TA: Kip means sleep, its slang, and sunshine is like saying son or darling kind of thing. I’d do one if you like.
TT: I’d like. As long as you don’t rape me with crazy east London slang.
TT: So, what are you doing up so late?
TA: It’s not that late. I’ve been partying fuck loads so my sleeping pattern is fucked up.
TT: What sort of parties?
TA: House parties.
TT: Just of friends?
TA: Yeah, and people who my friends knew. Also had a lot of sex. Can’t complain.
TT: You don’t mind this being published, right?
TA: Oh this is the interview?
TT: Don’t make me start over.
TA: I thought you were like going to send me a questionnaire. No, it’s fine publish it.
TT: I probably wouldn’t have asked about sex in the questionnaire.
TA: Publish!
TT: Thank God somebody isn’t as uptight about everything. So, is anything going on for models right now? Is this what one would call the “off season”?
TA: Modeling isn’t the be and end all for me, I just go with the flow its fun sometimes! But kind of, yes, nothing’s really going on in London.
TT: Well sex is going on. I hope the sex is alright at least.
TA: It is indeed, but to be honest obsession isn’t healthy. So many young girls and guys get thrown into modeling and expect a lot and get depressed when work doesn’t always come there way. You just have to kind of roll, it shouldn’t be everything in your life, you know, its a job at the end of the day. Also, don’t expect a lot and you won’t be disappointed.
TT: That is something I absolutely agree with. If you go in with no expectations then you’ll never be disappointed.
TA: Totally. Wait are you publishing this because I’m just free talking, well typing?
TT: Yeah, is that cool?
TA: If you don’t put my name. Models aren’t really meant to have an opinion just wear the clothes.
TT: Well I won’t include all the bad bits. I don’t think it matters. But anyway, you don’t think models should have an opinion? Do you feel oppressed by the industry or something?
TA: I don’t think new faces should have an opinion. After all, they’re only just starting out. If you’re someone who has made a name for themselves then sure because you’ve got to know how the industry works and have contacts etc; so you’re given more freedom of speech.
TA: To be honest I don’t know all the ins and outs of modeling but I’d say like 2-3 years but that’s just a guess.
TT: Do you care about fashion?
TA: In what sense do you mean fashion?
TT: I don’t know. How you dress, designers, collections. Does any of it appeal to you?
TA: Well, we all like to look good, don’t we? Everyone has different styles and dress sense which is what makes fashion fun. You shouldn’t really take fashion too seriously. If you like something, buy it no matter what it is. If you like it, go for it; originality is slowing dying with all these trend followers.
TT: I was going to say that it seems like the whole trend right now is anti-trend. Pretty soon people will get so frustrated and then we’ll have some sort of backlash like grunge in the 90’s.
TA: Maybe.
TT: So when you’re not a model, what do you want to do? Like, after modeling.
TA: I’ve not really given it that much thought. At the moment I’m just trying to find myself. I’m 19, I’m young, I have a lot of time to figure it out. At the moment, I’m all about having fun and traveling. Life’s too short not to.
TT: Do you support gay marriage?
TA: I’m all for equality but marriage isn’t something I agree on personally.
TT: You’re from Blackpool, right? Or something with pool on the end?
TA: Nope, I’m from Birmingham.
TT: Oh, right. Is Birmingham pretty happening?
TA: It’s the 2nd biggest city to London but not really. Well, to other people it could be, but I’ve had a taste of London and I’m hooked! I’ve not moved exactly, I’m a nomad.
TT: Do you read?
TA: Who doesn’t? But I will admit my reading has suffered a bit lately.
TT: I don’t read. Books, that is.
TA: Well you never asked if I read books, you simply said do you read, to which I answered yes.
TT: Well you can’t escape reading unless you live in a cave or something.
Signs don’t count. And neither do ads. Do you ever read anything of substance?
TA: Everything has some sort of substance to a point. So, yes.
TA: I don’t look up to anyone in particular. I look up to the people who have overcome personal demons in their life and have changed their life for the better; people who were victims but came out a survivor. I have a lot of respect for those people.
TT: So basically everybody without a normal upbringing?
TA: Is there such thing as a normal upbringing though?
TT: I suppose that’s fair. I guess any “normal” upbringing by most people’s standards would be something very few people got to experience, therefore making it very rare. How about is there anybody you haven’t worked with yet that you would like to?
TA: Of course, Hedi Slimane.
TT: Okay, I’m getting hungry and you’re probably getting tired. What would you take with you if there were a fire in your place?
TA: Nothing. I wouldn’t risk my life over material things. Saying that, if I had a dog, then I’d take him.
TT: Got to save them pets. Alright, well I’m going to go microwave some pizza.
TA: Indeed a life’s a life. I hate you. I want pizza.
TT: It’s this disgusting Mccain’s shit.
TA: So, I don’t have any good food. I’m so hungry. g
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