Luc Berthelette
Learn • Get Inspired • Grow
Garrett Neff
Male SUPERMODEL
What did you want to become when you were a child?
When I was a child I wanted to be a professional athlete. I played soccer and tennis quite seriously. I played on a club team for soccer which traveled internationally and was a nationally ranked tennis player as a junior, and played for a division 1 college tennis team, but never made that serious push to get a coach and focus 100% of my time on a sport. I valued my education and personal friendships, not to mention free time, too much to give them up for sport.
How did your friends/family react when you told them you wanted to be a model?
My mom actually encouraged me to look into the opportunity, a model scouted me in the airport and told me to call his agent and consider modeling. When I told my mom about it she said we should check out New York on our way by. I didn't tell many people at all until it started to pick up and was traveling for shoots. My dad was skeptical at first, but when my sister, who went to Cornell Law school, lost her job during the economic crisis in 2009, and I not only kept working but Was working more than ever and saving a lot of money, that's when he came around. I don't blame him now nor did I then, it's not exactly a business to rely on for your future.
How long have you been modelling for?
I have been modelling since 2005.
What aspects of your work do you like best/least?
I love the ability to see the world and meet new people and the excitement from collaborating on jobs. It's an amazing experience to all come from seperate place, up bringings, and to just fine the thread that runs through you all and build that team spirit and get jobs done and done well.
What I don't like is the ever changing schedules. It's tough making social plans and book family trips in this business. No day is off limits.
What has been your greatest accomplishment so far:
I think one of my greatest accomplishments is keeping relationships going with great friends from every part of my life. It's not easy. Some people would have given up on a few of my friends, and probably also with me. I'm fairly impatient, because I'm quite motivated to make progress in everything I do, but I think I grew up knowing that time Will pass and hard times will help strengthen relations eventually
Who inspires you in the (fashion) industry?
I’m inspired most by people that work hard. I believe its true that genius really comes from hard work and good luck. Both are important but without the hard work the luck won’t make a difference.
What do you believe is the biggest misconception about the modelling industry?
That it’s always glamorous.
Tell us about Katama Swim came about:
Katama was my response to working with giant brands that are aspirational in a way that we shouldn’t reach for. We don’t need jets and mega yachts to be happy. I’ve been my happiest during the simple times in New England with family. I’ve had some amazing trips which people probably think from the outside will allow you to attain happiness. I think it just lets you realize that other things make you truly happy. My mother captured the family vacation moments very well and it just stuck with me through life. After 9 years in fashion in 2014 I just felt inspired and compelled to start something of my own. All fashion shoots and fashion brands should really be a story that can unfold over time and fit into modern times. I felt like I had a story to tell that was different.
How do you handle criticism when it comes your way?
The only criticism that would ever get to me is that I don't work hard. But I do, so it's not an issue. Maybe another is that I work too hard... That kind of gets to me because there's just always something to do. I guess I think about unsolicited criticism in the sense that whoever is dishing it out obviously doesn't have enough going on that they would have the time to sit around criticizing what other people are doing. And when it comes to people making decisions on a product that I'm
How do you bounce back from a defeat?
It happens so often when you put yourself out there, or take risks, personal defeat is going to happen. Playing tennis there are so many points in a match, and at every step of the way, there is still a chance to win. There's no time limit. Time is a factor, for many reasons, but it never runs out and you lose. I live life that way. A personal defeat is just a score change. There's always another point. It's a long match.
What two books could you read over and over again?
a. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie.
b. The Butter Battle Book ;-)
What do you most value in people?
Openness.
How do you define success?
I think it has a lot to do with generating happiness, even if its just for moments in every day. But building a life where I can feel that, in my opinion, requires me to work hard so Im not focused on how I may have screwed up by not doing more.
When was the last time you laughed so hard/much that you ended up crying?
It happens now and then with my dogs. I think the nI started this interview several years ago I didn’t even have dogs yet. lol. But now I do and they bring me a lot of joy. Laughing with my girlfriend Lauren about our dogs happens pretty often.
What is the one thing you wish you knew when you were younger?
How to focus on others more than myself.
What is your biggest guilty pleasure?
Ordering food from seamless web.
Describe yourself in 5 words:
Optimistic, obsessive, creative, nostalgic, adventurous
Which living person do you admire most?
My Mother. She has made many sacrifices for me and ahas always supported me through all the highs and lows.
What do you wish to achieve in the following decade?
I want to have Katama self sustaining and to help reduce environmental waste as opposed to creating more, through up cycling materials and using them in our products and materials.
What is your motto?
If it was easy everyone would be doing it.
Any advice for those wanting to become models and/or those wanting to become entrepreneurs?
Modeling is a tough business. Definitely don’t put all your eggs in that basket. In the end its hard to have success all on your own and there a re too many variables to control. Looks fade, trends change, and so if you do try it out, definitely don’t sacrifice your education for it.
Being an entrepreneur has challenges too. It takes a lot of patience and requires failures so be mindful of that and keep working at whatever the project is and try to anticipate what problems might come up as early as possible and it always helps to wait longer to launch instead of rushing into launching something before its ready.
For more information on Katama Swim - Click here
Follow Garrett on: