meet Emil Osmanovic Montenegro ... the reprise interview

Men’s fashion is in a state of flux where we are now hopefully looking at less streetwear and more reality based clothing. With that in mind, hopefully, we are also looking at a time when the models that we see in print and on runways will reflect the client rather than a strung out adolescent looking for a meal and a fix.

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Four years ago I met Emil and we decided to do an interview but I openly admit that maybe I should have waited until he truly blossomed into the man he is today. His facial structure and demeanor has gone from wannabe to confident and his body has gone from boy to man. With all the beefcake we see each and every day on Instagram and other sites, pay per or otherwise, I am thrilled to see someone who looks like a man and has grown in so many ways that have benefitted him and his career.  No more snapshot photography and no more unstyled haphazard images but the real deal. Perseverance does pay off! 

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It is without question that non cookie cutter men in Europe have far greater chances of working than here in the States. In America we are searching for eternal youth which translates to young barely adolescents wearing clothing that they will likely never be able to afford or want especially if they continue to model. My opinion is that all of these issues are part of the reason why the retail experience has been so grim. What 40 year old man, earning mid 6 figures, wants to look like a left over strung out rocker wearing skin tight pants and still one more motorcycle jacket with Chelsea boots?

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Emil is one of those ageless guys who can be 20, 30, or 40 just by employing some crafty creative styling and imagination. Truth be told, casting directors need to grasp onto the client for the clothes and brand that they style since the bottom line is sales not just image.

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It is with great pleasure that I get to see Emil as a man who has matured in the most wonderful ways possible.  So here, in his own words, is the man of the hour… Emil Osmanovic Montenegro…….

JEFFREY FELNER: Can you tell us a brief rundown of how exactly you have arrived at your present status?

EMIL MONTENEGRO: It all began when I won a “Face of Montenegro“contest at which time I knew I could be a model. I was soon photographed by prominent photographers in Montenegro, Milan, and Paris. Their photos, a good agency, and my self-promotion on social media lead to modeling jobs with Vivienne Westwood, Roberto Cavalli, Pitti Uomo in Firenze, Italian Vogue, Louis Vuitton in Dubai, Book “Emil intenso e misterioso” in Brazil, many commercials, international tv shows, music videos, covers of magazines in France, Korea, and the Balkans. In addition to modeling, I am taking voice lessons, and recording some test music, and dabbling in acting

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JF: Can you offer any advice to those who aspire to become models? Goals...  etc?

EM: To be successful, a young person needs to have talent, persistence, a good work ethic, and discipline. They must always keep up with the times. Sometimes persistence is more important than talent. Persistent people with a little talent can be successful, but talented people without persistence will not succeed.  My responsibility on social networks is big because I am also followed by younger people … high school students. I’m one of their role models and their idol. My mission is to show them that they can do anything they want if they stay on track with desire and hard work. My Instagram is very positive. In everyday life there is a lot of stress and negative energy. I do not want to add to negativity; Positive energy is my message.

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JF: If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would they be and why?

EM: I like this very interesting question… I will invite my favorite singer, Lady Gaga as I admire her incredible talent as a singer, song writer, and actress. She seems like a sweet, good hearted, down to earth woman. I like those qualities. I will invite Madonna as she has great strength and power and is a wonderful humanist. My third choice is Angelina Jolie since I love her look, her intelligence, and her humanity. Princess Diana is my choice for a historical person; to me she was great in every way. Lastly, one man … The designer I have always most admired, Gianni Versace. No one has yet surpassed his unique vision and creativity. He was one of a kind

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JF: Let’s speak of social media: do you believe that social media is an asset and why or do you think that social media has diluted the business of fashion (designers, models, photographers) and why?

EM: Social media has been an important tool for me. It has brought my image to the whole world. I have around 400,000 followers on Instagram and Facebook. I post interesting things about my work projects, my travels, my publicity, and life in Montenegro. Designers and fashion houses must have a strong social media presence to reach younger, newer audiences.

 

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JF: If you could choose any collaboration or project who might it be with or what would it be

EM: if I could choose, I would want to do a Campaign for Versace and/or Dolce & Gabbana. I think I have the right face for those two brands. I would definitely choose to be on a fashion magazine cover with Naomi Campbell. We both have a very strong presence.

Emil Osmanovic .. the next wave of male models

Once upon a time male models actually looked like men. Yes, of course, they were an idealized or maybe aspirational vision or possibly an impossible suggestion of what all men could or should look like.  But, they were men and not androgynous creatures who look like the kid that got picked on in grade school for being “the 98 pound weakling.”  Most of what we see on the runways and magazine pages today are  boyish boys/men who look like they are barely 18 and usually in need of a cheeseburger, a hairbrush and some Clearasil. They shatter any aspirations, preconceived notions or even standards of male “beauty” … at lack of a better word. In other words the bar has been lowered about as far as it can go.

Today and later in the week, my point will be made that there is a next/new generation of men who will hopefully populate the international runways and editorial pages and they will look like men, albeit pretty extraordinary looking men. One might equate this kind of thinking or frame of mind with when movie stars looked like movie stars rather than any young man or woman you pass on any street. No matter how you look at it, fashion is about appearances and my esthetic senses are most satisfied when I see men of this ilk who have charisma as well as looks. Maybe we can return to what was once considered to be expected or in modern parlance… the normcore!

The secret to modeling is not being perfect. What one needs is a face that people can identify in a second. You have to be given what’s needed by nature, and what’s needed is to bring something new. ….Karl Lagerfeld

Granted beauty is in the eye of the beholder but there exists some almost universals/standards and since the men who can actually afford the clothes that these models wear are rarely  almost anorexic 20 somethings who look like recovering heroin addicts… well you get the picture!

First up is Emil O , of the smoldering Mediterranean looks, who hails from Montenegro, a teeny tiny country  which boasts visuals as handsome as our subject… in his own words….

   Tell us about you.. where you grew up and maybe something of your growing up and family... 
   My name is Emil Osmanovic. I am a 25 year old model. In the European fashion industry I am know as Emil Montenegro because I am from Montenegro. I have a degree in tourism and marketing from Mediterranean tourism university. I grew up by the Adriatic Sea in Montenegro, a very beautiful small country.

  When did you decide to become a model and why? Four years ago friends suggested I enter a   
   competition for “Face of Montenegro". The night before the final competition we had a photo shootings. It was at this time I realized that I am very photogenic. The next day I won the competition and decided to become a model.

  What do you see as your future? In 5 years and maybe in 10 years?

  I do not like to plan very far into future because circumstances change quickly in today's world. I think ultimately I will be a designer. Modeling is a great platform for many artistic fields. I like to design fashion which I now do a hobby.

   Who would you want to work for... designers... magazines... where would you want to work and   why?

   I have already modeled for Vivienne Westwood and Roberto Cavalli. I would also like to work for  Valentino, Chanel, Dior, Versace, Armani, and Tom Ford. My wish is to be in all the major fashion magazines, especially Vogue.

  If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you invite and why... they can be from the present or past?

  Interesting question. I would like to invite Princess Diana, Madonna, Angelina Jolie, Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino Garavani and Giancarlo Giammetti

 

  Who do you consider to be fashion icons? They can be models or designers or anyone you feel is involved in fashion.

  My fashion icons are mostly in the music and fashion industry. I like the message send to world by 
  Lady Gaga by her talent, intelligence and style. I also like Sarah Jessica Parker, Victoria Beckham... Most celebrities have a team of stylist. So I can not say who has style in their soul and who is just following the advice of stylists.

  If you could live anywhere... where would you choose and why?

  I would like to live in New York. Montenegro is a conservative country. I am inspired by the freedom and opportunities available in New York. To me, it is the fashion capital of the world. Perhaps later I would go to Los Angeles if I became involved in acting.

  If you could choose any profession other than model what it would it be and why -    

It will be design and acting. I am a very creative person. Please check my style on my Instagram profile @emilmontenegro

  So far, what has been your most exciting time/experience/job and why?

  The most exciting times for me are when I am travelings for modeling or pleasure. I loves see the beauty of other countries and learn about other cultures. In my modeling career, I thoroughly enjoyed working the two runways shows for Vivian Westwood. Her clothes are young, cool, and super creative.

  Who or what has influenced you the most in your life and career or given you the best advice?

  My mother and father are my best our friends. Only family can give us unconditional love. I always listen my heart in the end. I believe we are the creators of our own futures. We must to take our lives in our hands and to do the best we can with our abilities