A MAN WHO LOOKS LIKE A MODEL

Rustam Cabrayilov, is the only Azerbaijani to be awarded the title of Best Model of the World. Four years ago he moved to New York, settled down to married life and set about mastering the American modelling business. He took part in the New York fashion week, opened the shows of prominent designers and had his photograph taken for popular publications. His photographs have graced the covers of well-known magazines such as Viral Fashion, Time Out, The New York Magazine, Psychology Today, Wedding Magazine and others.

Rustam recently had his photograph taken as part of the universally known project of the well-known [portrait] photographer Annie Leibovitz, who specialises in taking portrait photographs of famous people. Today Rustam is working in the well-known New York modelling agency Red Model Management, has graduated from Kingsborough College and continues to be a success on the world's podiums.

- Rustam, the male modelling business is quite poorly developed  in Azerbaijan. How did you come to take up this profession?

By profession I am a geography teacher. I graduated from Baku State University. So, I think that, if I hadn't become a model, I would have been teaching at some school in Baku… I got into the modelling business by accident. One day, as I was walking to the university, I was stopped by two strangers who turned out to be scouts (people looking for new faces - author) for one of the Azerbaijani modelling agencies. They proposed that I should try my hand at modelling.

I replied that I had some different plans for the future. The agents advised me to think about it and wrote down my telephone number just in case. A few days later they rang me and offered me a job in a video advertisement for one of the major mobile companies. After that, I decided to enter the national selection contest for The Best Model of Azerbaijan and won. I was awarded the honour of representing our country at the international "The Best Model of the World-2007" contest in Istanbul. The most promising models from 90 countries took part in the contest. But I managed to beat them all and come first. After I won, several Turkish modelling agencies and producer centres offered me work, but nothing came of it. That year Turkey was suffering from an economic crisis, so most projects just remained on the drawing board.

- How did you manage to turn up in New York? Wasn't it difficult to adapt to the American way of life?

I moved to the USA with my wife-to-be. It was difficult to adapt to life in a strange  country at first, but it was nevertheless incredibly interesting. There was a lot that was new to me in America. It is a completely new world with its own rules and principles that you need to get used to. I had to start life anew. Naturally, I missed my family, my friends and my home town a lot in the early days. Then I got used to it. I made new friends, took up new interests and had a stable job at the Red Model Management agency. So, it all slowly fell into place…

- You recently visited Baku. What has changed in the capital since you left? What came as a pleasant surprise and what, on the contrary, upset you?

. Unfortunately, the two months that I spent in Baku just flew by. I had a good rest. I saw my near ones, friends and acquaintances. I took part in an autograph signing session for my fans. I was happy to stroll around Baku. I didn't spend a single day on my own at home. As far as our capital is concerned, the changes that have taken place in the city's appearance I found pleasantly surprising. The city has become cleaner, more beautiful and more interesting. While I was visiting there, I experienced such a feeling of euphoria that I didn't notice any bad points. 

- What's it like to be a handsome man? Don't you get tired of women constantly paying attention to you?

I have never regarded myself as handsome. I have a nice face, an attractive one, but I'm no Adonis. As far as the attention of women is concerned… You know, when you're married and you have a family, too much interest on the part of other females can sometimes cause problems. I draw a clear line between work and family. And fans have to understand that I have my own personal life, which I try to protect from strangers. That's the kind of person I am…

- What well-known brands have invited you to work with them? Who have you worked with and who are you working with now?

In the first year when I was finding my feet in America, I was invited to take part in a Mercedes Benz fashion week. During this show I was noticed by the well-known American designer Michael Bastian, who suggested I take part in the showing of his pret-a-porter collection. This was followed by shows with Adriana Alicia, Patricia Field, Kelvin Klein, the famous brands Brioni, Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent, D&G, and Marc Ecko.

- It is well known that a model's career does not last long. What are you going to do when you decide to leave the modelling business?

 I can't help disagreeing with this generally held opinion. If you work in New York as a model and have certain experience and success in that field, there is no threat of retiring at 35 years old. The current modelling industry is not afraid to use older models. You see, fashion is not restricted to just one age. Whereas formerly, for example, models advertised jeans or underwear for the young, now they get photographed with expensive watches, cuff links, cars, shaving cream and perfume. There will therefore always be work for me in this field. But if it should suddenly happen that I leave the modelling business, I shall start acting. I've long been attracted to that profession. I'm seriously planning to take up that profession and to attend a drama school in New York. I am by nature a very persistent person and always attain my goals. So, it's possible that you might see me on the big screen in 10 years' time.

- Tell me, what are they looking for when they select male models? What is it about a person's appearance that is valued today?

There are three main criteria that modelling agencies adhere to when casting. The first is the face. Models need to have classic face - full lips, high cheek-bones, big eyes, a straight nose which doesn't protrude too much. Of late, incidentally, so-called "non-standard faces" have begun to be popular, but their "non-standard quality" should be attractive. The second criterion is height; you need to be at least 180 cm tall. You absolutely must have a sporty figure, but not too muscly, since in that case it will be difficult to show classic clothing. You see, a collection of clothing is designed to be universal and should sit well on any of the models. And finally, the third criterion is age. You need to start your modelling career while you are still young. If you manage to be fairly successful in this field, then you will have plenty of jobs after the age of 35 years. 

- What do you think needs to be done for the Azerbaijani modelling business to reach a qualitatively new level?

- To start with, you need to revive the light industry in the country, to open textile factories and combines, to bring together and train experts. Azerbaijan should strive to ensure that its market is full of home-produced goods. Azerbaijani designers, who are engaged in small serial production today, should sew things in small batches and begin to produce own-brand clothes. Local goods will start to be advertised, fashion shows will be held and new modelling agencies will be opened which will be forced to compete with one another. Healthy competition can only boost the standard of Azerbaijan's modelling business.

-  What do you do in your free time? How do you relax?

When I do manage to get a few days free, I go out to the countryside with my friends and enjoy nature. I like to travel. I have managed to tour round the neighbouring states and have had holidays in Mexico and Canada. If I only have a short period of time free, I go to an Azerbaijani restaurant in New York or relax over a game on the play-station at home.

- What makes Rustam Cabrayilov better than others? What don't our readers know about you?

I'm a good cook. I am not saying that I do that better than anyone else, but those who have tried my food have always liked it. Incidentally, I'm not against having a tasty meal myself. I like to try new, unusual dishes. True, after feasting, I have to make a serious effort at the gym, which I don't really mind. I have learnt to get pleasure from even the most routine work.

- You are one of few famous Azerbaijanis who are quite relaxed about and enjoy having contact with fans. You can spend hours having your photo taken with them as a memento, giving out your autographs and replying to any message in Facebook. Are you likely to become obsessed with stardom?

I enjoy meeting people. The long hours of casting, taking pictures, the flights connected with work, do not allow me to spend much time on the Internet. But when I do have a moment free, I go into my Facebook page, read the reports from people I know and from strangers and enjoy replying to them all. During my last visit to Baku, I had an autograph session with fans. I didn't expect that so many people would turn up to meet me. I spent a long time having my photograph taken with the girls, gave out autographs and chatted with them. And I really enjoyed doing that. I'm glad that people like me and support me in my homeland. That love injects me with powerful energy and positive emotions, and helps me to move forward along my chosen path. I'm not in the least obsessed by stardom and don't consider myself a star at all. As it says in the English proverb, a royal crown won't do your headache any good, and may even be the cause of that headache…