Exterface Studio and Charlie by Matthew Zink are two names quite familiar to those who have followed the blog for a while. In fact I have already dedicated an article to Matthew Zink (find our talk here), a designer who I love very much and with whom I share a bond with late seventies allure and style, and photographers Exterface (here the interview). Now Matthew has found a new muse for his male swimwear line Charlie (who also has a very succesful female counterpart) and he told me all about that, also asking me if I was interested to see the pictures made by Exterface Studio and show them to my readers as a very special preview for the italian audience. Photos in which the designer and the muse meet and this model is none other than Matthieu Charneau, who made the fashion system and the web world talk a lot as the star of “Brothers of Arcadia“, the video that Nicola Formichetti wanted for the line he is creative director, obviously I’m talking about Mugler. Matthew Zink has managed not only to tease me, leaving me with a lot of curiosity, but in the end not only I can show u these incredible pictures, but I was able to interview as an exclusive the model, now an absolute icon on the web, and not only, Matthieu Charneau.
Here’s the chat with the friendly Matthieu (where Matthew in the end is also involved) and photos of the shooting realized by Exterface, and the temperature is really HOT!
How it all started? How did you become a model? Is fashion something you were interested before working in the fashion system?
A year ago, I was elected “Mr. 2011″ by TÊTU’s reader after the magazine published a few photos from my first photoshoots on their website. My profile has now been seen by thousands of readers, including some in the fashion world. I have since worked with various photographers like Rick Day and Exterface and famous designers including Nicola Formichetti for the MUGLER Mens 2012 campaign and most recently Matthew Zink of Charlie. I always dream about someday having the chance to work with some of the industry’s greatest visionairies: Bruce Weber, Mariano Vivanco, Inez and Vinoodh, Mert and Marcus….just to name a few. Their work continues to inspire me and I have fallen in love with so many of their images. Fashion has always fascinated me. My passion for the arts is mostly influenced by film, which itself is linked to the world of fashion. A few of my favorite directors are Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, Greg Araki and Lars Von Trier. Their passion and vision continues to inspire me and has influenced me in so many ways. Tarantino is definitely my favorite. The style and imagery he creates are completely arresting. Greg Araki is specifically interesting to me, his focus on youth and sexuality I find very fascinating. A part of me would also love to be an actor! I learn a little more each day about this industry and it continues to be very exciting and rewarding.
Is there any particular anecdote related to your work as a model? For example special meetings that you have done/important people you have met…
Since I starting modeling, I’ve had the opportunity to meet many people in the world of fashion, film and media. There have been amazing meetings and some not so good, but it is part of the game! I’ve learned a lot. When I started, I did not know all these people well, but I had the chance to meet the right people at the right time and learn as I go. I am currently my own agent, but I am searching everyday for a talent agent that I can have as my right hand to truly help me explore and develop more of my passions and talents. Meeting Nicola Formichetti is certainly the most incredible chance I’ve had so far. When he contacted me to shoot the mini film for MUGLER this summer, I could not believe my eyes. Meeting Matthew Zink was also one of my best experiences. He is such a passionate designer. He made the trip from New York to Paris specifically to work with me, I was thrilled!
You have been involved in a project, the video of Mugler, that was a lot talked about. Tell me about that experience, how was working with Nicola Formichetti?
It was an exciting experience. There were several models, production explained to me that I was the main character in the video clip. None of us knew what to expect. I suspected that there would be naked scenes, however, I did not know that the video was going to have a censored version and be called porno chic! Nicola invested a lot on the set and he gained our trust easily. He’s a really cool guy, it was a joy and an honor to work with him. I was the only French model, but I never stopped talking and joking with the artistic team. I love to laugh and talk, even if not in my native language!
The pros and cons of this work until now? What are the fears of a person like you who works in front of the camera?
The Mugler video brought me many opportunites. Being in a video rather than a still shot allowed me to show another dimension to my character, who I am and the image that I offer. When you see a picture of a model, it is a static medium. In a video, the model comes to life, it is viewed as the video tells a story through movement and creates a closer link with the viewer. It gives me a new opportunity to push my current work even further. I’m not really afraid of the camera. It’s exciting! Once on camera, I’m so focused and grounded in my character that I totally ignore the camera and it is as if the scene was becoming reality. I recently heard that following the video some people thought was going to do porn! Porn influences fashion more and more today and vice versa. It is an art that I respect a lot and a visual point of view and artistic approach is somewhat closer to some of my latest projects. However, I have never and have no wish to do porn. You will not see me in a porn!
How did you meet with Matthew Zink? Tell us about your work together? How you and Charlie are related?
Matthew contacted me this summer to tell me about a project he wanted to produce for his brand “Charlie.” I knew a little about the brand and I loved his chic and handsome swimwear. I told Matthew that I was very interested to learn more about his concept, and that’s when he explained that I became his muse. After filming for Mugler, I am now the muse of a young, ambitious designer! I accepted without hesitation, and we arranged a shoot in Paris in October with photographers Exterface. Matthew wanted to make this opportunity a duet between he and myself, The Creator and His Muse. This was my first experience to pose with a man, and more, the designer himself! Matthew is so passionate and is very influenced by the 1970’s. Among some of the references chosen for this shoot, there was a photo of Gianni Versace by Richard Avedon and Andy Warhol’s poster for “Querelle”. It’s funny because until now, I’ve often thought my look and body to have a 1970’s aesthetic! One of my previous shoots with Exterface was a reference to the legendary drawings by Tom of Finland .
What do you do in your ‘normal life’ far from the modeling jobs? What do you like? Who are your heroes?
When I’m not shooting or in front of my computer trying to organize my next project, I have a full time job that takes up a lot of my time! I am a hairdresser, I recently finished my exams successfully and now work in a hair salon that specializes in makeovers. I work on advertising shoots and fashion shoots, as a hairdresser this time . I still have very little free time because I spend much of my time as a model, but I also love the gym, film and of course my friends and family. When I have a little more time, I love to read a book and listening to my music. I have many heroes. One of my heroes is the old man in Tim Burton’s “Big Fish”. He was such a beautifully fantastic character that created a life full of magic and imagination. The way he looked at life was wonderful, every morning I wake up and would love to live in my dreams the way the old man did.
How does it feel now to be a sort of icon, to be known around the world? What or who keeps you grounded? Who are the people you trust the most?
I feel very happy and flattered! I myself have my icons that inspire me every day. The fact that some people see in me as something of an icon affects me a lot and also shows that dreams can be realized even when you do not expect it. This is a unique recognition, and it means a lot, regardless of the career someone chooses. It’s really motivating and rewarding to receive messages of congratulations, support and share ideas with the world. I think my education allows me to remain largely down to earth. All I have undertaken this year and what I do is what I’m personally passionate about. I do not automatically accept all proposals that I receive, actually quite the opposite. The project has to be inspiring and above all look like me. It is not just about making as much money as possible and being seen everywhere, I need to feel passion and express it in different ways. It is an ephemeral world that can stop at any time, and I still have a lot to prove if I want to change and reach my ambitions in this industry. What is certain is that I continue to work hard to defend what I love and what I love to do it. Personally, I can count on my parents and my brothers, and a few close friend if I need support.
Dreams and plans for the future?
Of course! I hope to work with various fashion magazines soon. I still cannot believe that I am being interviewed by GQ, it feels like a dream….I hope one day soon I may have the opportunity to model for GQ Magazine! I will also take acting classes at the beginning of next year. I’ve recently had some proposals for future projects including a very interesting video that I’m excited about. I always wanted to learn acting, it is one of my biggest dreams. I think that it’s a good opportunity to add more challenges in my busy schedule! I love challenges, I want more every day, so let’s go!
Finally, we have asked a couple of questions to Matthew Zink, the designer who has chosen Matthieu for this project.
Why have you chosen Matthieu for this project? What do you find in him? Why is he so special?
One year ago Exterface Studio featured him in their first Issue of MUTO Manifesto…it was literally “muse at first sight.” I knew I had to work with him! Matthieu has become my Joe Dallesandro. He embodies so much of what I find seductive about the 1970’s. I find his classic beauty, joyful sexuality and natural sense of style infinitely alluring.
Why did you decide to pose for this pictures with him?
So much of Charlie’s soul is my attempt to pay tribute to my mentors and inspirations of the past. The concept for the shoot was to try and visually capture my personal obsession with my own “Charlie Muses”. I wanted these pictures to express my sincerity, and how protectively close I hold my work. I attempt to curate each season with passion and respect. Exterface allowed me to enter my own Charlie world and bathe in the fantasy I have tried to celebrate.
Tell us something that will happen next for Charlie…we can’t wait to see you in Italy soon!
I am dying to see Charlie in Italy!! I actually would love to see our Charlie Men’s Collection expand throughout Europe. We are very proud to hold an impressive international list of retailers for our Women’s Collection. However, our list of Men’s retailers is unfortunately very limited. For 2012, we are continuing to try and land some of our dream accounts for Charlie Men’s such as Mr. Porter, La Rinascente, Harrods, Selfriges, 10 Corso Como, Colette…just to name a few. We have received such wonderful feedback from so many of our Men’s Fans, now we would like to extend a place of purchase for them in Europe. We will remain hopeful and continue to try and please our fans and customers.
I also plan to have several more Charlie shoots with Matthieu….so stay tuned!
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