Elisa Lusso: 18 years old, one year modeling and you’ve already worked with Hedi Slimane for AnOther Man, Vogue Hommes Japan, Dazed & Confused and you’re a Topman face. That’s quite a beginning! How’s it been?
Alex Dunstan: I grew up a rather quiet boy and even when I started, I always doubted it would go anywhere. So it definitely came as a big shock. I’ll always remember the day I first saw my face in a magazine…
Elisa: Don’t you feel weird going around London and seeing your face? Tell me about the first time you saw yourself in a campaign?
Alex: The first time I saw the Topman campaign was definitely key. I had no idea it was out yet. I was catching a tube up to Oxford Circus and noticed my face all along the walls… Haha, a very surreal moment.
Elisa: How did you start modeling?
Alex: I was out drinking with some friends in London Bridge. I was walking past a crowd and a woman by the name of Jane Duval stopped me in the street and asked me if I’d ever consider modeling. We exchanged numbers. She got back to me and took me into Select [Model Management]. Me and Jane are still good friends. Select seemed to like me, and I’ve been happy with them ever since.
Elisa: What is the strangest job you’ve done?
Alex: Perhaps the most extraordinary one—for lack of a better word—was the shoot I did for Contributing Editor with Kim Jones styling and Thomas Lohr as the photographer. Most of the shots involved the models hanging off of sea cliffs and walking into the sea. Suffice to say, it was very different to the studio environment I’d gotten used to.
Elisa: And which was the most difficult?
Alex: Difficult? I’d never say a shoot is especially difficult in the scheme of things… Although, of course sometimes it takes longer to get the shot you’re looking for. However, I personally think that this largely depends on how well the photographer and model interact. Elisa: What is the thing you dislike of being a model? Alex: There’s nothing I dislike. I wouldn’t change what I’m doing right now for the world. Elisa: What is, instead, the best part of your job? Alex: I guess the traveling. It really opens up opportunities for experiences I wouldn’t normally have, and you meet a lot of amazing people along the way. Elisa: Do you hang out with other models? Alex: More and more these days. I guess it’s because they’re the people who you share the most in common with. You can share experiences and talk about life and work and everyone’s on the same level… No judgments or pretenses. Elisa: Do you prefer shoots or shows? Alex: Do you prefer chocolate or coffee? I love both for different reasons. Elisa: Have you got any style icons? Alex: To be honest, not so much… I’ve always just mismatched any clothing I have and hoped for the best. There are a few designers I admire, though. Elisa: Where in London do you live? Alex: I grew up and still live in the East Dulwich\Peckham area. Its a lovely place to live with lots of parks and open spaces. Parts of it are sketchy. The area has greatly improved though, and Peckham isn’t nearly as bad as a lot of people like to make out to be. Elisa: What are your favorite places in London? Alex: That’s a hard one…I have so many you see; London’s my home! I suppose Borough Market off London Bridge has always been a favorite. And of course I used to cruise around Camden Market in my early teens, but who didn’t? Clubs… Vendome and Jalouse tend to be my usual hangouts when I’m uptown. Although to be quite frank, I’m not too picky. You can’t go too wrong with a bottle of vodka and a big group of friends. I also enjoy less manic nights. Something a bit more low key with an intimate group of friends can be better than a night out at times.
