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for Essential Homme magazine ,May/June 2011 |
River Delfín Canomanuel Viiperi (born 4 August 1991 in Ibiza, Spain) is a Spanish male model. River was born in Ibiza to a Spanish father and a Finnish mother. River's mother, Riitta Viiperi, was also a model. She saw potential in him and eventually introduced him to the world of modeling. It was not hard to convince him since he hated school, though his parents insisted he keep studying, at least until high school and soon after he followed his mother's footsteps. Though still very young, his modeling career took off very fast and he became popular in a very short time: doing countless editorials, gracing the covers of GQ, Winq, Surface, Guapo, Coitus ,etc.
His hobbies include soccer, swimming and martial arts.
His hobbies include soccer, swimming and martial arts.
Height: 6'1''
Suit: 38''
Waist: 30''
Shoe: 11 US
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
Suit: 38''
Waist: 30''
Shoe: 11 US
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
agencies
New York - Soul Artist
Paris - Success
Los Angeles - Nous
Milan - d'management
London - Elite
Copenhagen - 2pm
Barcelona - Elite Barcelona
Berlin - VIVA Berlin
Brussels - IMM Bruxelles
Helsinki - Paparazzi
Below Patinya Boonto of MaleModelsCrush speaks to River about his rise to the top:
Q: How do you feel about becoming an IT Boy? And how do you balance your personal life and modelling career?
River: It Boy? Well, I don’t know about being an “It Boy” but things are working well and I’m happy with my agents and myself. I can’t thank my agents enough for pushing me so much especially the Soul Artist Management
How to balance my personal life and modelling? HARD, VERY HARD! I won’t say impossible but in the quiet moments of modelling you have to move quickly and do something like go see your friends, girlfriend, family and try to make sure you don’t miss any opportunities of work even though sometimes it happens.
Q: What do your family and friends think of you being a model?
River: Well, my family actually pushed me to do it since I was small. I used to do some child advertising and so on. And when I was close to turning 18, my mum kinda told me to give it a try. She was a model and an actress and my dad used to be an actor and singer so I guess it’s kind of a family thing right? Hahahaha
Q: What do you have to sacrifice to become a model?
River: I would say everything. To be a full-time model you really can’t have a personal life. You can’t plan things because you never know when the phone is going to ring saying “you are flying to NY tomorrow” or “River, grab some things you are going to Miami tonight”…so sometimes you have to make hard decisions and turn things down in order to spend some time doing whatever you want to do
Q: What’s your most stand-out characteristic?
River: I’m crazy I guess… hahahaha I can be with “Italo Zucchelli” (menswear design director for Calvin Klein) and still be myself. He knows how I am and I know how to behave when it’s required. People sometimes get scared when I’m joking but I mean no harm. I’m just very energetic and I like to be myself around everyone even though sometimes it’s not good and certain jobs or people don’t like it. So I’m still learning…
Q: What’s your opinion on the current fashion industry? What are the best and worst aspects?
River: My opinion about the fashion industry nowadays is that you can’t just be a model to model… You have to be an actor or a celebrity. Those are the ones who really get to do the HUGE jobs like fragrance contracts, however some girls are lucky enough and get huge campaigns. But I think it’s harder for male models… The best part of modelling is traveling, meeting people, etc. And the worst is the same, you travel alone so sometimes you feel lonely or you meet people you wish you’d never met. Everything has good and bad things right?
Q: Do you think male models should get paid equally to the female?
River: Yes I do. Can someone explain me why girls get paid more? I understand that it’s the only industry where this happens but hey this is my industry so it sucks lol. Is it the hair? No! If I grow my hair, I’d get paid the same lol. Or is it the boobs? That would be unfair…so I don’t understand and would like someone to explain it to me
Q: What’s your most memorable modelling job?
River: Every single one of them is different and all of them are memorable. Every stylist, photographer, make-up artist, hair stylist, set designer, etc. Absolutely everyone, I really can’t choose one.
Q: What’s the strangest thing you’ve done on set?
River: Maybe the shoot for bl33n with Donovan and Mathias Vriens-McGrath when I was dressed in drag…
Q: Do you prefer runways or shoots?
River: hmm… both are a lot of fun. In shows you get to hang out with a lot of people but in shoots you get to prove what you are able to do, like being a drag
Q: Tell me about the backstage chaos at fashion shows
River: Hahahaha it’s not so bad but yeah sometimes people exaggerate things about the chaos. You just have to be organised and know what you’re doing because there are a lot of people. I hate lining up before the show so I’m the guy that does stupid things to entertain the photographers and the crews but when I’m close to walking I’m always sharp.
Backstage you need to find time to change looks. This season I did a show for Calvin Klein and I had less than 50 seconds to change the whole outfit. It turned out I did it within 30 seconds, so there is no problem if you do things right.
Q: You’ve done some photo shoots with nudity. Are you comfortable being naked in front of the camera? Would you do a full-frontal editorial?
River: I’m comfortable with myself and as long as everyone is professional I don’t mind getting naked. Nope, I wouldn’t do a full frontal. I’m 19 and for me those kinds of shots are not artistic or fashionable. That’s what I would call porn. Hahaha if it’s nude but you don’t see the private parts I think that’s sexy, hot and will let people imagine the rest, you know…
Q: Since you’re in a competitive industry, how do you cope with rejection?
River: Rejection? Laugh at it because you can’t do anything…if they don’t like you, they don’t like you. Nothing is too serious so just keep working.
Q: What’s your personal style?
River: I’d call it a skater…, I like to wear skinny jeans but not too skinny and t-shirts, Vans, Adidas sneakers… normal 19-year-old style right?
Q: How do you kill time during shoots or shows?
River: I usually talk and play. I always have my headphones but never really use them while I’m at backstage. I like to just F**k around with everyone in a good way! hahaha
Q: You’re currently in a relationship, how do you deal with the long distance?
River: Whenever we can…hahahaha it’s stressful sometimes but it’s okay.
Q: Any bad habits? What’s your guilty pleasure?
River: I smoke, although I’m quitting. Other than that… I don’t really think I have any… I drink when I go out and all that but nothing abnormal. No drugs for me, it’s not my style!
Q: How do you spend your money?
River: I spend my money on the same things that you or anyone else would spend it on…food, rent, shopping. And especially on my girlfriend, she deserves everything I can give her
Q: You’re the most active model on the social network including twitter, Facebook and Vlog, do you use these channels to publicise yourself?
River: You forgot about my blog even though l haven’t had much time for it lately. I started just for fun and then I realised it works to keep in touch with those people who support me and I also use them to keep me entertained while I’m travelling. Yes of course, it works for publicising yourself because I got some jobs from Vlog’ing. It’s interesting to know that people watch it and I’m happy they like it
Q: What would you be if you weren’t a model?
River: I’d probably be studying or working as a broker. I really got into it before modelling because of my dad.
Q: If you could be an animal, what would you be? And why?
River: hahahaha I have never thought about it but I love water so let’s say…dolphin, as my last name is Delfin (which means dolphin in Spanish)
Q: How would you spend your final days if the world were to end tomorrow?
River: Friends, family and girlfriend, traveling, having fun, partying. I don’t know. I guess I’d do things I haven’t done before.
Q: Describe yourself in three words?
River: Energetic, funny and romantic.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 years from now?
River: I don’t think about the future, I live day by day. You never know what’s going to happen so I make sure to get the best out of every day, even though there are some lazy ones.
Q: Any advice for the newcomer or someone who wants to get into this business?
River: There is actually no advices I can give…you just have to give it a try. If it works, cool. If not, I’m sorry but try something ele. I don’t know, it’s different for everyone…
Like many others, this is my first time commenting here. I really adore this blog and check it pretty often. Thank you so much though, for the awesome posts. I've enjoyed every one of them :)
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