RULING RUNWAYS

Surprise Scouting FROM Ruling Runways TO

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!

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.

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 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.

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.

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

that and maybe how your style has developed?

I was really young when I did that interview but it’s true. You learn to appreciate people’s work more and see the art behind the designs. For myself, I’ve noticed that I have become way more selective with what I buy and wear and I tend to do more online shopping since most of the stuff I like can’t be found in stores.

How many countries did you get to visit during your modelling career, I’m sure your passport must be pretty full?

I was in Germany, France, Italy, Spain, England, USA, Japan and China. I think was all.

And what is your advice to look great after a long flight? You’ve probably had to rush from an airport to a job sometimes?

The good thing with big jobs in Japan or China is that you don’t have too much work. You arrive in a 5-Star hotel and have time to sort yourself out. But I have had jobs where I had to fly to London at 4am work all day and fly back in the evening. That can get pretty exhausting.

How is it having to look good but being exhausted?

Photoshop and make-up help out a lot but to keep the energy level high throughout the entire day is the difficult part. But I like to spend as little time on the shoot as possible. If it’s possible to get there and back in one day I will always choose to do so. Sitting alone in a hotel is the worst part of the job.

What is your plan for your career, that is if you have one? How long would you like to continue modelling and what are your plans for after this?

I never really told myself “you’re a model now”. It was more that if I got a job, I took it and then everything was great. My mother always tells me that it could all pass in an instance, so I try not to get my hopes up too high. There are phases, like now with Corona, where I can go months without a job, and other times I’ll get loads. It’s more of a come and go. It’s very unreliable, but I’ll do the jobs as long as I keep getting them.

Can you see yourself working in fashion?

I don’t really have an idea on what I want to do. I just started studying American studies and Japanese studies in Frankfurt. It’s quite cool, especially learning to speak Japanese. But I’m mainly doing it so that I’m not wasting any time sitting at home waiting for a job. I don’t think the fashion industry is for me, but I’ll have to wait and see.

How are the jobs going during Corona? How is your agency dealing with it?

My agency was great, they continued to give me jobs. I am also lucky to have a great relationship with Hugo Boss. They like hiring me and it’s just a two hour drive to a shoot. I think I’ve had 7 or 8 jobs with Hugo Boss just this year. I hope they carry on booking me.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Modelling is hard work and has many up and downsides. It’s not a very steady job and it’s super competitive, but being able to do it and get all those insights into the fashion world is truly a blessing.

Would you recommend modelling?

If you really want it then try it and see how it goes, I can’t say too much about that! However, if you get scouted, you should definitely go for it. You learn a lot and get to experience how it is to work. The pay is great as well. If you handle it correctly there are only upsides!

Thank you to Jakob for making time to speak to our interviewer, Lilli Lang.

SPLIT DECISIONS

If you cannot decide to stay under the radar or make a statement with your outfit then why not do both. Taking inspiration from American streetwear the hoodie photographed provides the outfit with both sides of a low key and statement piece of clothing, worn with the trousers and shoes making it a stand out piece.

NEON NIGHT LIFE

This outfit brings an upbeat vibe to a nightlife streetwear look. The baggy proportions of the joggers mixed with the relaxed fit of the hoodie gives a laid back look and is perfect for wearing when going for some late night shopping or roaming the streets.

EARTH TONES

page by tony simms

GO BIG OR GO HOME

His fit shows you can be stylish and comfy at the same time with minimal effort. Classic screen print oversized t shirt with an acid wash to give you that real vintage feeling. Iconic in hip hop history with Craftd London’s cuban chain that makes this fit hard.

page by tony simms

page by tony simms