PHOTOGRAPHY CELIA CROFT - WORDS AND FASHION JOSEPH PARKER - HAIR MOE MUKAI - MAKE UP MACHIKO YANO - ASSISTANT MUCI LINDQVIST
Lelé is the new name F Word had the pleasure of working with from Premier Model Management. Born in Rome and raised an hour outside of Milan. The London based model was first scouted in the smoking area at Plastic, a gay club in the city and is already working with Rick Owens, Miu Miu, and DIESEL. Read on to get a glimpse of their sweet personality and modelling life in London.
Joseph Parker: Hey Lelé, how are you today?
Lelé: I’m really good thanks.
J.P: Where are you from?
L: I was born in Rome but grew up an hour away from Milan, where I was based for the past 3 years. I’m also Russian on my mom's side.
J.P: How were you scouted?
L: My now mother agent spotted me in the smoking area at this gay club called Plastic in Milan, which is where you would find me every Saturday night giving major Gemini rising+sag moon, I think was wearing orange vinyl trousers and a fake moustache. Called Angelo up after the weekend; it slowly came together.
Lelé wears shirt BALENCIAGA @YOOX; suit jacket and trousers MARTINE ROSE @YOOX; hat BURBERRY @YOOX; shoes BOTTEGA VENETA @YOOX
J.P: Do you do anything besides modelling?
L: I like to think of “art school dropout” and compulsive server as a full-time job... I still paint and working on a series.
J.P: What has been your favourite job so far?
L: It’s a tie between working for Rick Owens and the Miu Miu editorial with Jamie Hawkesworth for AnOther magazine.
J.P: What would be your dream modelling job?
L: It would be bad luck to say.
J.P: Do you have any fun party tricks?
L: Leaving my friends to sit in the darkroom by myself to rewind my social battery.
JP: LOL! Same.
J.P: What are your pronouns?
L: Non-binary trans. I go by they/them or he/him. But if you call me “handsome” or “king”, I will punch a wall.
J.P: How important is it that the fashion industry represents more diversity and inclusivity? And how do you think this can be achieved?
L: The fashion industry needs to hire and include the talent of all backgrounds and identities. Hoping we keep moving towards people of all marginalised identities being given space in all positions in the industry.
Lelé wears shirt BALENCIAGA @YOOX; suit jacket MARTINE ROSE @YOOX; hat BURBERRY @YOOX
J.P: What's your favourite genre of music?
L: I could lie to sound cool but my Spotify wrapped had the Italian '70s legend Mina as my top artist.
J.P: Your go to song, go:
L: Deceptacon by Le Tigre.
J.P: Do you follow any trends?
L: I’m always a fan of the fun ones, currently obsessed with text graphic tees.
J.P: What are the worst trends?
L: Trying too hard.
Lelé wears dress, BOTTEGA VENETA @YOOX; tights STYLIST'S OWN; shoes NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD; all jewellery MODEL'S OWN
Lelé wears dress DIESEL; jumper BOTTEGA VENETA @YOOX; tights STYLIST'S OWN; shoes NICHOLAS KIRKWOOD
J.P: Let’s do a quick-fire round! So, something you can’t live without?
L: Sunglasses, day and night.
J.P: Best place in the world?
L: In love with London so far.
J.P: Any last words?
L: Slay.
Lelé wears dress DIESEL; jumper BOTTEGA VENETA @YOOX; necklace MODEL'S OWN
