Recognize this guy? Of course you do. He’s the industry icon who loves to dance, holds Serge Gainsbourg as his icon and eats baguettes for breakfast.
27-year-old Clément is not like other models. He gives diddlysquat about social media, has little interest in clothing, doesn’t diet nor work out, and mostly hangs out with people who aren’t in the industry. He was discovered at 16, became the face of Jil Sander at 17 and by 21 he had been on the cover of GQ, appeared in campaigns for Prada, Balmain, Saint Laurent and become an H&M favourite starring in an impressive three campaigns during 2011 alone. Since being discovered ten years ago, Clément Chabernaud has become one of the world’s most recognized male models and seems to always have his face on a billboard, in a TV commercial or spread over the pages of a prestigious fashion magazine somewhere. Despite being one of the most influential male models of the decade, he hasn’t given in to the pressure of having a strong social media presence. In that aspect, Clemént Chabernaud may be an endangered kind. But even though Clément in person isn’t active on social media, images and videos of him definitely are. He has several fan-created accounts on Instagram and countless Tumblr pages devoted to his work. During a shoot with H&M we asked the always-relevant model to share his top model secrets with us.
MY FAVOURITE PHOTOGRAPHER IS…
“Every photographer’s way of working is different. Some focus on efficiency, others on having fun. Some are more artistic and others more protocoled. It’s nice to work with photographers from different schools.”
IN MY CAREER, I AM MOST PROUD OVER…
“I’m really proud of all the travels I have been on.”
MY MOST MEMORABLE SHOOT/SHOW WAS...
“It depends on the atmosphere, on the team you work with and how close you are with them. The location where it’s happening is also important – if it’s inside or outside. Things like that matter [for making it memorable]. But my very first shoot and show were very memorable.”
THE MUSIC THAT ALWAYS GETS ME GOING AT A SHOOT IS...
“I really like to listen to Shing-a-Tin Tin by Tito Puente.”
MY CREATIVE OUTLET IS...
“Dancing. Or in my case it’s more like moving by body to music.”
MY MODEL ICON IS...
“Serge Gainsbourg is an icon.”
MY FAVOURITE OFF DUTY LOOK IS...
“A look where I feel comfortable in the clothes, where I’m free to move.”
FOR BREAKFAST, I ALWAYS HAVE...
“An entire baguette with butter and raspberry jam.”
FOR A LONG FLIGHT, I ALWAYS PACK...
“A book and a music player.”
WHEN I HAVE SOME FREE TIME, I...
“… like to visit my family and friends, go to restaurants, go to parties as well as do some outside activities (sports). And travelling.”
THE BEST ADVICE I’VE EVER RECEIVED IS...
“Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain.”
MY FAVOURITE THING TO SHOP WHEN I AM AWAY IS...
“I like to buy candy.”
BEING A MODEL, I’VE LEARNT...
“I’ve learned to be lazy. Hahaha. Or not to be lazy.”
MY FAVOURITE TV SHOW IS...
“I don’t watch TV shows but I really like movies.”
RIGHT NOW, I AM READING...
“Le Colonel Chabert by Honoré de Balzac.”
MY GOAL IN LIFE IS...
“To share as much as I can with as many as possible.”
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