Interview: Model Patrick Bertolini (Italy)

Can you tell us a little about you?

I come from a little town situated in the North of Italy, my family has always passed down to me many values like, for example, the importance to make sacrifices in order to reach my objective, build strong basis and always being open and ready to learn something. My determination and my constant need to question myself allowed me to build and reach my goals. I’m a very ambitious person with a dreamy personality. I always look for the best result in everything I do, I think that’s the only way to grow and to better yourself constantly. I’m never satisfied, I always ask myself something more.

If you could change anything about yourself, what would it be?

There isn’t any particular side of me that I would like to change. I think that also my flaws distinguish my character. Maybe, I could work on my pride, I sometimes see what I do too seriously and that causes me worthless stress.

How did you start modelling?

I started at the age of 18, almost as a joke, with a friend who works as a photographer and had a studio, she asked me to shoot and I never stopped from that moment. I turned this passion into a real job, which for years I have been carrying out full time.

What do you think of the work as a model?

Fashion is definitely a sector that fascinates a bit all young people who have the opportunity to undertake this career, it’s a job that can give you many satisfactions as well as disappointments at the same time, you must always remain with a positive mindset, not always you will be chosen during castings, sometimes hundreds of young people from all over the world participate for the same job, therefore chances of being chosen decrease. You must never give up because satisfactions arrive thanks to determination. It’s a job that gives you the opportunity to travel a lot, to live and discover many new places; to know many people, each one with their own history, to be able to work with your own image wherever you go. I think that every single experience around the world allows you to grow up, not only on a professional level, but also on a personal level, which I consider as very important. Certainly fashion is a sector which can also result ruthless, models are often seen as numbers, for the client at a casting you are just one of many, it is an environment that is based a lot on appearance and little on essence, I think this is a downside of this sector. But it is normal to find negative and positive aspects, it is part of the game!

What is your beauty regimen?

Certainly, in this sector, a fundamental discriminating factor is how much you take care of yourself and of your image. When an agency chooses you, you sign an exclusive contract with it, which also states that any physical or aesthetic change could cause the termination of the contract; I personally pay a lot of attention to nutrition and I do a lot of physical activity. Another important aspect is to always have an attractive look with attention to details, both in terms of clothing but also concerning hair and beard care. It seems obvious, but it is a very competitive sector so you must always be impeccable at casting!

What are your personal qualities which distinguish you from others?

One of my qualities is to always set new goals, I never get discouraged in front of difficulties which may arise during the journey, but I remain focused on where I want to go. I think this pays off over time, I understood that if you really want something, sooner or later you’ll reach it, no matter in how much time or how, but you’ll certainly get there. Furthermore, competitiveness fascinates me and stimulates me to always do my best.

What are your plans for the future?

Definitely realizing myself on a professional level, I am a very ambitious person, I’m cultivating different interests on which I am constantly working. Whatever your goals are, don't let other people's thoughts overwhelm you, pursue them and reach them!

What are some of your favorite experiences so far?

One of the most beautiful experiences I lived, which allowed me to do this job, was to live in Istanbul! I had the opportunity to build relationships with many people from all over the world and with whom I am still in contact, I made experiences that I had never made before, frequented unique places. I have worked for brands in wonderful locations, such as on yachts, on dream beaches; I had the opportunity to be chosen for advertising campaigns and therefore to be on billboards all around the city.

Do you have any advice for those who want to start modelling?

I would like to advise guys who want to undertake this type of journey, after understanding that they reflect the standards that the fashion world imposes (such as height, sizes, various aesthetic standards), to find a serious agency that believes in their qualities and which gives them value , beware of those who offer paid courses or photos, a real agency does not ask for money! Another advice that I would like to give is to always enhance their strengths and not to emulate anyone, often during castings the most beautiful is not chosen (beauty is a subjective matter) but they choose the one considered most suitable by the client to represent the brand, they search for charisma, self-confidence and they pay attention to what the model instills to the customer during the casting.

What do you think of the magazine?

This magazine is fantastic! It gives the opportunity to many people who are in the sector to tell their professional and artistic experiences by showing their works; at the same time to those who want to take a new path in this field, to make treasure of the recommendations that are reported in the various articles. Modellenland is a magazine that makes you plunge into the fashion world!

INSTAGRAM: @iampatrickbertolini

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