ROGER DUPÉ TALKS MODELING

Interviewed by Culture Coast Talks editor Daniel John. Interview transcripts might have been edited for length and clarity.

What does a teenage boy think when asked if he wants to do modeling?

I can only speak from my own experience back then, I thought, “Is this a joke”. It felt foreign and something I didn’t think I would be comfortable doing. My dream was to become a football player, and modeling seemed very feminized to me as a kid.

Today, you are one of the world's most succcesful models. It's clear many want to work with you. But what makes you want to be the face of a brand?

For me, it’s definitely a privilege that major brands have chosen me and my look as something they want to be associated with. But it’s also important that these brands stand for the right values, and actively work to positively impact society or the planet. I do think people should be careful and support companies that stand for values they believe in and actively work to contribute something positive to society or the world.

Succesful is one word, and historic is another, for example being the first black model to do an ad for Rolls Royce. Modeling has become a lot more diverse just in recent years, but like many industries that only happens on the surface. How do you view diversity in this industry?

That is a good question. I also think there is a lot of surface-level stuff in many industries, to follow trends and gain points as a company but people today are very aware and wise, so the facade tends to crack over time, and when it does it hits hard, as we’ve seen over the years. I think it is crucial to support those brands that are genuinely led by a diverse group of people and not just show diversity superficially. Real change happens from within.

Looking at your career it seems like a very straightforward one. Was your path to becoming an internationally recognized model as straightforward as it appears?

My career has been tough. You often get the impression that success stories are smooth on the surface, but I have worked as a model for over ten years and put in well over ten thousand hours with a bumpy career. I was born in 1991, and I was Sweden’s first black male-model with international recognition, just saying that should open people’s eyes. I didn’t start under the same conditions as most models then or now but that just fueled me even more to show that you can succeed as an underdog if you fight.

Was there one moment when you felt a turning point?

I’d say I felt a turning point after a lot of hard work and worry when I booked my first major jobs in Paris with Kenzo and Jean-Paul Gaultier. Suddenly I was in a phase where almost everything I touched turned to gold. But I also want to emphasize that during my time in Paris as a nineteen-year-old, I didn’t book any jobs for nearly three months before these bookings came.

It is an industry where your success often lies in others' hands. The difference between success and failure often balances on hard work and luck, how important is it to set your own personal goals?

I believe it is important to set goals and be driven in everything you do. If you perform well, you create your own luck. You might not become a supermodel, but you might make fantastic contacts that open other doors and maybe even get to work for a very successful and exclusive company. I don’t believe in leaving your fate in other people’s hands no matter what.

What’s the most surreal job you’ve had?

I’d say the Rolls-Royce job, because it was something beyond the ordinary. It became history, and it is very rare for a model to book a job that turns historic. I’m very grateful and proud of that.

Did you get to see yourself on Times Square in New York with your own eyes?

Yes, I did. There was a time when I lived in New York and saw myself everywhere. Times-Square, the subway, buses. I thought, the guy no one believed in, who came from nothing, became something. That made me very proud.

Elsa Hosk recently talked about the world of drugs in fashion. For Elsa, there was a lure around it which, despite all her success, stemmed from never truly feeling secure in herself. What has your experience been with that?

Elsa is right. As a model, you’re often very alone and can be very young. You meet many people who can influence your career, so you can easily become an easy target because you want to fit in and please everyone. Fortunately, I’ve managed to avoid that, since I come from areas where I saw it early in life and witnessed how it destroys families and people so I had no curiosity. Rather the opposite. I think my interest in training helped me avoid falling into it, because I like to take care of myself and have a strong character.

She shares a similar sports background as you, but you think your background playing football kept you on the right path?

Absolutely. I think sports and training are an excellent way to stay on the right path in life, they help with so many things you might not realize until you break it down. Discipline, confidence, organization, teamwork, just to name a few.

How do you see being a role model to many?

I see it as something positive. I always try to be myself and help others as best I can, leading by good example. I am not perfect, I am a human too but I think it is important to stand for something and I’d continue to stand for equal human value whether I was a model or not. I see it as a human duty.

Anyone in particular you’d like to work with?

I’d like to work with Peter Lindbergh. He’s a legend and icon in fashion, known for his black-and-white photography, which appeals to me a lot.

What does a typical day look like for you now?

I usually wake up around seven thirty in the morning. Eat something simple. Then go work out. At the same time, I go through my emails. If I do not have a modeling job, I am always working on my new project, Melyon, which is a skincare brand.

Have you gotten into any new joys as of lately?

Yes, I’ve gotten into paddle tennis. I’ve also had time to pause and think about what’s most important in life, and I’ve spent more time with loved ones, which has been very rewarding.

How would you describe your style?

Conscious, elegant, and timeless.

Is this a season you feel at home in?

I love autumn because I get to wear my different jackets and coats. I love dressing cozy and polished.

What are you eager to wear this fall?

I am looking forward to wearing lots of knitwear and my cashmere pieces, perfect for when you want to be extra cozy in autumn.