FROM
Surprise Scouting TO Ruling Runways Even though his career came as a complete surprise to him, Jakob Zimny conquered the fashion industry with brilliance. At only 15 years of age, he was scouted on the streets of Düsseldorf, Germany. Since that day three years ago, the now 19 year old has worked with most of the high-end designers you could think of and turned runways all over the world upside down. I have questions for him! Where and when were you scouted? How old were you? I was scouted in June 2017, I started working at the age of 16. It was in the Königsallee in Düsseldorf, the same place Claudia Schiffer was scouted!
exhausting. But luckily, I am quite aware of what is happening and what could go wrong, so I try to anticipate and just let things happen.
What has been your nicest experience since you started modelling? It’s the shows outside of Fashion Week. For example, if Dior or Prada organise a show in Miami, Tokyo or Shanghai, I really look forward to those trips. It’s fairly little work…one day fitting, one day show, and the rest of the week you can enjoy a great hotel with loads of other models in an exciting new city. Where do you see potential for the industry to change? For example, the treatment of models on set? The well-being of models on set is very important in my opinion. Brands need to make sure that their models are comfortable and have to provide food and drinks throughout the day, which isn’t always the case. So the industry could work a little more towards the models overall well being. Many brands take great care of you and make sure you have everything you need.
As you were scouted back then, what were your initial thoughts? And had you ever thought about modelling at all? I thought it was a scam, also I had never considered modelling before. Do you feel that the industry has changed since you started? There haven’t been any significant changes, I’ve just become more aware of what’s going on. However, since my debut the casts have become increasingly diverse.
You started modelling as you entered your final years in school. Back then you were a good American Football player, too. How did you manage juggling all of these things at once? It was quite hard with football as the risk of injury was so high. If I had a game and a show the week after, I couldn’t risk breaking a leg. So eventually I had to give it up. School on the other hand was fairly easy. My headmaster was very kind and let me do most of the jobs, even if they were during school times. My teachers weren’t too impressed, but I didn’t really care, as I had the headmaster’s blessing.
Is there a designer that you would love to work with? Shooting or runway, as you do both? Yes, I do both. I’d have to think about who I haven’t worked with yet because I’ve actually already worked for the designers I’m keen on… Who’s cool at the moment and for whom I was an option for a few times now, is Matthew M. Williams from Givenchy with Alyx. I like what he does and would really like to work with him. What was your favourite job so far? My favourite job was the Dior Pre-Fall show last year. It’s also one of my favourite looks ever. What was your worst experience? Hmm, the worst that has happened to me wasn’t exactly terrible. I mean I hear a lot of things, but I haven’t experienced anything bad. The only thing that I have noticed is that sometimes the teams don’t take care of you and that there is hardly any food on the set, or you don’t get a lot of breaks which is pretty
Prada Spring 2020 Menswear
Yes, but so is modelling at your level, and you still managed to do that?! I mean there is just so much you can do as a model. You should always be polite and respectful to everyone you meet and show up on time. But whether you get a job or not is in the hands of the casting director. In an interview with Models.com you said that your opinion on fashion has completely changed since you started modelling. Can you tell me a little bit about
