Jabir, Derek DaSilva & Luke Magro by Kris Micallef for MODUS VIVENDI.

MODELS: Jabir, Derek DaSilva and Luke Magro
PHOTOGRAPHER: Kris Micallef
CLOTHING: MODUS VIVENDISCREW DOT line

Exclusive interview with model J????.

How did the pandemic disturb your life and have you managed to find balance?
Last year during lockdown we all had to stay at home for a couple of weeks. And being at home by yourself was hard in the beginning since you are used to be outside or hanging out with friends or even go to work. All was taking away from you. So I only had myself, which was a good thing because I was getting to know myself better, spiritually and mentally. That’s how I found my balance and live my life differently than I did before. 

Originality and Authenticity we all say it’s important but hard to be; do you self-assess and keep it real?
As long as you are being true to yourself and towards others and not pretending to be somebody else, that makes you you and original. I like that. That’s who I am as a person and keeping it real. I do self assess and reflect about what I can do better or what I can work on myself. 

What do you find sexy/sensual in your partner?
Honest, straight to the point, not afraid to go on a adventure. Not afraid to have an opinion! 

What is beauty to you? Is it important to appreciate it?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Are you that guy that buys anything new and innovative?
I am that guy who buys everything new. Especially clothes. Most of my clothes are still labeled.. 

Communicating with ourselves and others is hard. Are you a direct person or do you use sideways to get there?
I am straight to the point. I don’t like to talk trough sideways or behind your back. 

What’s your harbor, your Ithaca?
Rotterdam / Holland.

Exclusive interview with model Derek DaSilva.

How did the pandemic disturb your life and have you managed to find balance?
That’s a long story haha. The pandemic decided to hit, 2 weeks after decided to empty my accounts, sell my things and move to European country where I only knew 1 person. Which of course, did not play out too well haha so, let’s just say it’s been a ride, and a test of both my mental fortitude, self-confidence and faith that’s there’s something out here waiting for me. Ironically, i think that thing waiting for me is Balance, I haven’t quite found it yet but folk keep telling me it’s the journey not the destination, so I’ll have to take their word for it.

Originality and Authenticity we all say it’s important but hard to be; do you self-assess and keep it real?
Authenticity is key. I try to walk into every room as 100% me, whether that be to my benefit or sometimes to my own detriment. I, not referring to code switching but doing and saying what i believe in the situations that call for it. Without fear of repercussion, self-assessing now throughout my life that sentiment has got me into a lot of trouble but it’s been making for a story worth telling.

There’s a lot of talk for inclusion and diversity everywhere what do you think needs to be done in your country?
I’m from the US…  how much time do you have? hahaha to make an infinitely long list, short; Police reform, Education reform, more equitable representation, flip the defense/education budgets and dismantle the capitalist institutions that exacerbate inequality. Oh and who gives a damn about what bathroom someone uses as long as they aren’t pissing on you. 

Do you believe in Utopia – what do you do to leave this world a better place?
Not until weed is universally legalized haha; but in all seriousness, No. Someone will always be, or at least feel marginalized, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. Earth is plentiful, although a little beat up right now, but it’s possible for humanity to reimagine that very term. It’s possible to live in a world where we judge success by the good we do and the beauty we create rather than the money we make. I try to do my good through dialogue with my friends, family, strangers and folk on the opposite side of the aisle. I try to plant a seed in people’s heads, and hope life waters it. It’s not much, but all we can do is move the needle forward

What do you find sexy/sensual in your partner?
Ouff that’s a long one too, I’m a sucker for good banter, soft eyes, pretty smiles and bubble butts. Throw in a decent singing voice, and mix in a little bookworm.. That’s a recipe that I will happily let ruin my life, over and over again haha

What is the one thing a. you do, b. having (item) & c. a person you really love?
My dog,Ozai. I had to leave him with my old roommates back in the States. He doesn’t care too much for facetime calls so I’m just holding on until I can fly him out here with me 

What do you want others remember you by? Your legacy so to speak for future generations
Legacy… I can’t lie, I want to leave one. A lasting one. I want your children’s children’s children’s to learn about me in school. As the man who redefined what it means to be American, to be human.. and then just disappeared to run a Gourmet Milkshake Shoppe and retire in Cape Verde. 

What is beauty to you? Is it important to appreciate it?
Beauty to me is anything that inspires awe. Be it the blues of the seas, violence of a heavyweight fight or making your date laugh so hard they snort. I think beauty is nothing more, or less, than whatever gives you that high, per se. Oh and Zoe Kravitz, she’s also my definition of beauty. 

Communicating with ourselves and others is hard. Are you a direct person or do you use sideways to get there?
I tailor my approach to the situation. I tend to be direct a majority of the time but it’s fun to play the game a bit sometimes ahha

What’s your harbor, your Ithaca?
I haven’t given it too much thought, but I know it’ll be a table a mile long of family and friends where I can explain why I left so early, so long and so often. Then they laugh, tell me to shut up and pass the kachuupa. (It’s a cape verdean dish lol)

Exclusive interview with Luke Magro.

How did the pandemic disturb your life and have you managed to find balance?
The pandemic was a big hit for the modelling industry, so it affected me that way the most. Other than that it had its positives as well, as life slowed down I started to appreciate doing simpler things I didn’t have time to do before.

What is cooking to you? It’s the art of creating or gathering?
I think it’s a mixture of both. I love cooking and trying new recipes, even if I’m constantly on a healthy diet to keep a good shape. Cooking for friends and family is more rewarding as you make people come together. Cooking is love made visible.

Tattooing is a form of storytelling? What is says about you?
For me tattooing is more of an art form. As I started getting older I changed the styles of the tattoos I did. However, I mostly get new tattoos to achieve my desired body image that I have planned in my mind.

Originality and Authenticity we all say it’s important but hard to be; do you self-assess and keep it real?
I think everyone has originality inside. The problem nowadays is that people are very influenced by social media about how we should be. What I do to remain authentic is to not compare myself to other people and give less importance to criticism and do more of what makes me feel good.

There’s a lot of talk for inclusion and diversity everywhere what do you think needs to be done in your country?
This hits me directly as I easily get discriminated because I’m heavily tattooed. I think that education about this subject should start at a young age, mainly from schools and parents, regardless if it’s about sexuality, gender, skin colour, religion or looks. 

Do you believe in Utopia – what do you do to leave this world a better place?
First of all to leave a better place you need to have inner happiness first. Happiness is contagious. Secondly a bit of compassion towards your family and friends will go a long way. We can’t all be Mother Theresa but small acts of kindness can mean a lot.

What do you find sexy/sensual in your partner?
Apart from natural beauty and intelligence, what I find very sexy is contradictions between looks and character. For example a very smart looking lady with a devil mind.

What is the one thing a. you do, b. having (item) & c. a person you really love?
A. Gym
B. My Home
C. My girlfriend (she would kill me if I responded differently ?)

We all need a win this year what is yours?
My win would be to pass from both networks diplomas that I’m currently doing.

What do you want others remember you by? Your legacy so to speak for future generations
I think I want to be remembered as a giver most of all. Kindness is the best thing to be remembered by.

What is beauty to you? Is it important to appreciate it?
Beauty has different forms. It can be a beautiful mind, heart or physical. It’s important to strive to have all these aspects. And it’s nice to see beauty in people around you as well.

Are you that guy that buys anything new and innovative?
I don’t really buy into hypes. If something is essential I will buy it instantly. Other than that I think most new things make us lazier or waste precious time that we should be spending with other people.

Communicating with ourselves and others is hard. Are you a direct person or do you use sideways to get there?
Most of the times I like to communicate with actions more than words, as actions carry more meaning to make a person understand something. Being direct can feel confrontational to most people.

What’s your harbor, your Ithaca?
My Ithaca would be to finish my life in a simple way. Just retire, have grand kids to look after and be financially stable to live comfortably. But most of all I want to look back on life and have no regrets about things I didn’t try when I had the chance.

1 comentario

Deja una respuesta

Tu dirección de correo electrónico no será publicada. Los campos obligatorios están marcados con *