After being very impressed with his dance moves in the A/W11 Lanvin campaign, Wonderland had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with Milo Spijkers from D1 Models.
How did you become a model?
I was at a party in Antwerp and someone from New Models came up to me and asked if I was interested in modelling. I had never really thought about it but thought I may as well give it a go. I went and saw everybody in the agency and was signed. It’s crazy because if I hadn’t been at that party at that moment, my life would be totally different. I got pretty lucky. I’ve now been modelling for a year and a half.
What were you doing before modelling?
Finishing high school. I was supposed to go to university to study history. I didn’t have any idea what I wanted to do after that. When my agency sent me to Paris, I got signed to Success. They asked me if I wanted to take a year off and try doing modelling full time and I decided to go for it.
What shows did you walk in last season?
Quiet a few. In New York I did Marc by Marc, which I was exclusive for in February and walked for again in September. I also walked for Lanvin and John Galliano. Galliano was a really energetic show and lots of fun. My first shows were definitely highlights. I did Costume National in Milan and Comme Des Garcons and Rick Owens in Paris.
Do you have a particular photographer you’d like to work with?
It was a great honour to shoot with Steven Meisel. I would love to shoot with him again. I would like to work with Terry Richardson, too – I’ve been optioned for things with him but unfortunately haven’t done anything get.
What type of music do you like?
It depends on the situation and mood I’m in. I like old hip-hop. Like old skool 90s NWA, Nas, Ice Cube and loads of others. My Dad also got me into music like The Doors, Frank Zappa and Janis Joplin.
What’s your favourite film?
The two movies I’ve watched twenty times or more are Pulp Fiction and Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.
What’s been your favourite fashion moment so far?
My first highlight was flying to New York to work exclusively for Marc Jacobs. I had never been to New York before. I couldn’t stay there long because I had a shoot the next day in London, but when I first got there it completely blew me away. My second highlight has to be shooting the Lanvin campaign.
We were playing a video game on Xbox – we weren’t given any formal dance moves to do! We were just playing the game and they filmed us, it got very competitive! When it came out I read a lot of the YouTube comments and a lot of people recognised the dance moves from the game.
What would you like to do in the future?
I’m doing shows in Paris and Milan in January. This year has definitely been the fastest of my life. I’m having all these great experiences – it’s flown by. I’m having so much fun, the more dancing the better!
Photographer David Adams
Fashion Editor and Words Francesca Prudente
Portrait: Block stripe ripple knit jumper by JONATHAN SAUNDERS, grey cotton t-shirt by AMERICAN APPAREL Three images: Oxblood silk overshirt by PAUL SMITH, blue cotton t-shirt by AMERICAN APPAREL, black hoodie & leather jacket MILO’S OWN.
Grooming Bobana Parojcic using M.A.C COSMETICS Model Milo Spijkers at D1 MODELS