The Rakish Gent Meets Matthew Avedon - exclusive interview & editorial by Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca

Photography - Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca at Defacto Inc

Model - Matthew Avedon at Soul Artist Management

Matthew Avedon is a male model based in America, that also happens to be the grandson of world renowned photographer Richard Avedon. He was discovered at the tender age of sixteen by photographer Arnaldo Anaya-Lucca (who coincidentally has come full circle with Matthew by shooting this feature for The Rakish Gent).

Matthew has appeared in campaigns for Versus Versace, Gap, Ermenegildo Zegna, and Ralph Lauren as well as within the pages of prestigious magazines such as Details, Esquire, VMAN, and CR Fashion Book.

Can you tell us about your personal background?

I’m a native son of New York City. Born and raised in downtown Manhattan. I grew up skateboarding in the back of union square and have mostly stayed here my whole life. Full townie status!

What led to you entering the modelling industry?

I started modelling completely by accident. It was Arnaldo who found me skating at either Union Square or maybe Tompkins Square Park. He set up a test shoot and brought me right to an agent that same day. My Mom had me wait three months until I turned 16 to sign a contract and then it was off to the races. Initially I didn’t take it seriously, it was just a great excuse to drop out of High School and skate all day when I wasn’t working and honestly even when I started having some real success I didn’t know what to make of it. It had never been something I aspired to but I was insanely lucky to have fallen into it. I had more life experience by 18 than some people ever get.

How have you made the transition from fashion to music?

Music was always an important part of life in my family, there was always something playing (usually the Beatles) and I’ve always been a big time music nerd, but it was really the loneliness of those early modelling years that got me to buy a guitar and try to entertain myself in whatever hotel I was staying, in whatever country I was in. I’m a pretty obsessive person and once I like something I can’t stand not being good at it so I just threw myself into playing the instrument and learning the craft of music. Eventually I found a community and started playing small gigs around town and I basically learned to play by embarrassing myself in public! I’d play terribly, go home feeling like shit and thinking “that can’t be the last time I do that, I have to get better” and I’d go home and get back in the practice room. This is during a time when I’m on billboards in Times Square but I’m playing in the back of a restaurant for $50 and a burger and couldn’t be happier. One day you look up and you’ve been a working musician for the better part of two decades! I feel much better about my music these days but I still practice daily and work hard at it.

How would you describe your personal style?

CONSISTENT!

I’m sort of like a comic book character in that you’ll basically only see me in one of two outfits: if I’m on a gig I’m likely wearing a slim black suit with a white shirt. It’s classic, easy, and I’ll shamelessly say it looks good on me. If I’m walking around in my regular life I’m wearing jeans or black pants, vans, a plain monochromatic t shirt - essentially the same outfit I’ve been wearing since I was 16. I appreciate different style in other men but for me I can’t stand the feeling of trying to dress “cool”. It has to feel natural or my day is ruined.

Have you ever been given any good advice about modelling?

I honestly don’t think I’ve ever gotten good advice on modelling. I wish someone had told me when I was young to appreciate it more and perhaps take it more seriously. I learned those lessons later in life but that would have saved me some time and money…. I always tell people that are interested to make sure they have an active and full life that is separate from the industry. So much is out of your control in this business that you have to find meaning and value in something else that’s yours. It’s not for feint of heart.

Is there anything specific that you learned from your family?

It was never said explicitly but there was always a feeling that you should expect big things from yourself and your life, but that it was on you to succeed or fail on your own. Obviously my grandfather was this huge, singular artist, but my father is also a brilliant writer and my mother has a better eye for design and photo editing than anyone. What they all have in common is their dedication to doing the best work that they’re capable of and holding themselves to that higher standard. I think that clearly rubbed off on me and all my siblings. I love to work.

Can you share a modelling project that has been especially impactful for you?

I always think back to this one particular trip that was the epitome of “we didn’t know how good we had it!” Way back in the day when magazines had actual budgets Matthias Vreins brought me to the Maldives for a week of shooting on a tiny private resort island. It was the early 2000’s for The Face magazine, and Matthias called the magazine and lied saying the weather had been terrible and we needed another three days and they paid for it!!! I’m still trying to get him to take me back.

What do you find most challenging about being a model?

I think really the only hard part is the unpredictable nature of the work schedule. I plan some gigs months in advance, booking all the musicians and advertising for the venue but then I might get called in the morning to get on a plane that afternoon and I have to make it work. Likewise it’s very hard to get me to take a vacation but the surest way to get a modelling job is to plan something with my partner or my family that would guarantee them being angry at me for canceling to work. It’s a good problem to have.