Climber Fashion XY - The Magazine, Mens Fashion

How did you become a model? Did you always want to be one?

I was approached for the first time at a mall in my high school years at Slovakia. I did not decide to give it a try till many years later and many more scout approaches. One of the reasons it took me so long to start was, I never really dreamt of becoming a model and was actually not very interested in the begining compared to what I had going on in my life at that time.

Most significant campaigns so far.

Which one are you most proud of and why?

It's a hard one to answer. I’ve done so many and some of my favorites are not necessarily the biggest ones I worked for. The most significant to me was for Iconic campaign shoot I did in Dubai. The reason it was so special to me is, I shot it with my girlfriend, and it's not every day I get to see myself with my girlfriend on building size billboards. Now the funnest campaign shoot experience I have to say would be Adidas world campaign shot near San Francisco. We went from sunny surf beach side shoot to snowmobiling in blizzard snow mountians all in the same day of shooting.

Tell us about your journey to the modelling world in NYC. How did you get there? How did you start? How did you get your break?

Not much of a journey to be honest. NYC was my first trip for modeling, and I signed into modeling for the first time in NYC. It is where my modeling career first officially started with my management in NYC. Since then I fly back and forth for work.

What’s the best thing about being an international model? What’s the worst thing about it?

Traveling by far is the best. I honestly would not be doing modeling if I could not continue to travel. Now the worst part would have to be the vain superficial side of the industry. I have never been a guy to care too much about how I appearded till I stepped into the modeling world. Fashion and styling my hair was never my thing. But it's something you just have to eventually get use to and better at.

On being mixed race – is being mixed race a hindrance or an asset to a model like you?

I would say neutral. Never really associated my race with my success or failures. Many people use race as an excuse in life but I say pay it no mind and just do your best. If you failed, then you either went about it wrong or it was just not for you. Modeling is not for everyone. If you are what they are looking for at that moment then that's all you need. Be in the right place, at the right time, with the right people.

What advice can you give to people aspiring to walk runway / model internationally?

Finish school and get ready for 100 no's before your first yes. Modeling is not all it's played out to be. We are just normal people.

If you weren’t a model today, what would you be? Explain why?

I’d like to think a basketball player hehe, but more realistic would be an actor or entrepreneur. I had a very promising situation in the acting industry layed out on the table for me in Los Angeles before modeling. But I guess I just did not want it that much at that time because I gave it all up to get out of LA in pursue of something else. If not acting then possibly starting a business. I was in school also at that time for economics before I started modeling. I could also say a dancer as I was also a professional break dancer in my earlier years. My first trips to places like Paris and Milan was actually for dancing performances. But dancing was something I enjoyed and was good at but I never saw it as a career.

People say that fashion is a fickle business - do you think the work that you do empowers people? How so?

"I try to really just be myself, stay true to my beliefs, and enjoy life's many adventures. I don't care too much what people think or say and just try to do the best at whatever I do. I hope this somehow empowers other people to do the same.”

What do you think you bring to the fashion industry which has brought you to where you are today?

"I think that each and every person is unique and one of a kind. We all have so much to give. So just by bringing yourself into the picture you are adding some sort of change and contribution of uniqueness into the whole. I believe that is what has brought me this far."

In the fashion business, is being pretty enough to make the cut?

"Being pretty is never enough."

Where can we follow your journey in the fashion indutry?

PAUL KIEFER PHOTOGRAPHY

Paul Kiefer is an international model from Hawaii and currently a part time photographer temporarily. In my many years in the industry, I have worked with photographers all over the world on editorials, travel projects, still life, portraits and photo journalism on several documentaries so I can say I have a good eye when it comes to talent.

PLS PROVIDE A BRIEF BIO.

PLEASE PROVİDE İNFO ON YOUR MOST RECENT PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF.

Paul Kiefer is an international model working all over the world for many top brands. Starting off as a basketball player and professional break dancer, Paul moved quickly into the modeling world where he has enjoyed great success. It does not stop there for Paul as he now has taken strong interest in the role of a photographer. You can find some of his photographic works @pkiefer_photography.

Paul is at his early stages in this new career but already has a unique visual identity and approach to shooting ( which you will find in his visuals below). Creating recognizable work is always a challenge so I am certain this is going to be a big step forward and a natural progression for Paul.

What are your greatest inspirations or influences?

My greatest inspirations are those who know how to enjoy life outside of the current ever growing modern lifestyle. I’m inspired by people who live their lives with what they need and not what they want. People who give and and don’t expect anything in return. I judge people on the way they treat others. Those who started at the bottom and have built their way up, however still know how to return to the simplicity of having nothing.

Most interesting travel journeys so far and places you still have yet to visit?

This is tough to answer because there are so many places and you really can't compare but some highlights include; Alaska, Turkey, Switzerland, Barcelona, and Asia in general. I live for new adventures, even if it screams danger.

Describe how you got into photography?

I always had a passion for visual art, especially paintings. However, I never saw myself being a photographer. I would have to say I have my older brother to thank who convinced me to try and since I can be quite spontaneous at times, one day I decided to spend a fortune on a new camera and lenses without ever having shot before. From there the rest is history. In my photography I try to focus more on emotions rather than just beauty. I think so many photographers get caught up in trying to make something beautiful from something beautiful. When that same beauty can come from a dark place.

What are some of the challenges of life as a model?

Nothing lasts forever, so people come and go in my life all the time. People I become very close to but eventually have to part with. I think this is one of the things I have had to deal with the most and is the toughest part of my job. Traveling is such a blessing but like all things there is always a price to pay. Seeing the world can make it very hard to be satisfied in one place. You seem to know what you are missing out on all over the world. You are always left with the taste in your mouth wanting more. Because of this, I can’t say that someone who travels is happier than someone who has never been outside of their own country. Seeing always makes you want more.

TELL US A BİT MORE ABOUT YOURSELF PAUL.

I can’t say 100% what the future has in store for me, but I am hoping that a house near the beach or by a lake in the mountains is a part of that future. My life has brought me down many “yellow brick roads”. All of them have given me amazing experiences from the earlier years playing basketball, later in dance and theatre and finally as a model. Now it seems my next adventure will be life as a photographer.