Simone Bredaiol

Many models are either supported or hindered by their family in undertaking this job. What did your parents say? Were they more scared or excited? Who’s your biggest supporter?

I was born and raised in a small town in the province of Treviso, so I don't deny that the modeling career, in the eyes of my parents, was only a waste of time. Before I started doing this job, I was a textile designer at a local company with a regular permanent contract. When I said that I would leave everything to give modeling a try, the most "worried" was my father, but luckilymy parents have always supported me greatly. My biggest supporter, however, has always been my best friend Davide, who since I was 16 or 17 had been telling me that I had to go to Milan and present myself to the modeling agencies, Was he right in your opinion?

You’re originally from a town in the province of Treviso (Villorba), but you travel very often around the world. Do you prefer big cities, or are you one of those who prefer the quiet and serene dimension of a village?

Yes, my origins and my way of life are those of a country-dweller with the genuineness and limits that this "lifestyle" entails. I lived for 3 years in Milan and between one thing and another I spent almost one year in New York City, but I never managed to feel as good as when I'm at home. I need to disconnect when I'm not working, I need to have my spaces, my friends and my things. As soon as I finish my work, wherever that’s in the world, I always come back to Treviso (well, that’s where I live now). Nothing is like home to me.

Searching the web for information about you, I found a web page where you lend yourself to give fishing lessons. Can you tell us how this passion was born? Any particular anecdote?

Fishing? It's my biggest passion. It’s a passion that my grandfather passed on to me when I was about 7 or 8 years old and, since then, every time I find a stretch of water, I can't stay away from it. When I'm not working, you will hardly find me at social events or disco parties, you’re more likely find me in Jesolo by the sea or by the beautiful rivers crossing the province of Treviso. I remember one day I was shooting, in Cape Town on a gigantic estate, for a British client. When I arrived at the location, I saw that a few steps away there was a pond and some people who were fishing. The production team had to run after me all day long, because I had managed to steal a fishing rod from those fishermen and I had gone fishing. Excuse me, but when passion calls…

Returning to the modeling career, was there an event, shooting or show that you remember with pleasure? Was there a moment when you realized that modeling was your way?

I’ve been doing this job for ten years now and I have lots of anecdotes to tell you. That being said, if I had to tell you about a particular event that impressed me, I would say my first Dolce & Gabbana show. In photo shoots, everything is much quieter: basically, you’re the "protagonist" and everything revolves around you, but during fashion shows, you’re just one of the protagonists. So when you find yourself backstage with 50 other models and you get tossed around for makeup, clothes, photos, interviews and more, you really feel super excited: if I talk to you about the adrenaline rush that comes once you step on the catwalk, well, you’ll want to do my job.

In the world of fashion, is it true that foreign models work more than Italian ones?

When I started, there were very few Italian models. Now, things have slightly changed (even if, unfortunately, Italians usually make themselves known immediately). In my view, clients prefer foreign models to work, so maybe Italians will learn to be a little more respectful towards this job.

Let's talk about your look. If you had to describe it with 3 adjectives, how would you define it? What’s the style that best represents you?

Three adjectives are perhaps too many. Let's say: simplicity, comfort and the colour black! Seriously, if you had a look at my wardrobe, you would see that I'm passionate about Japanese denim, Nike sneakers and black. In the end, elegance lies in simple things and I try to be as simple as possible, as in life.

Have there ever been times on the set when you refused to wear something chosen by the stylist? Or that you thought "what are you making me wear?”

Why should I refuse to put on something that a stylist tells me to wear? I'm there just to do my job, that’s to put on what I’m asked to wear. I’ve seen people refuse to wear some clothes and, honestly, it has always made me laugh a lot. There have certainly been situations in which they put quite questionable outfits on me, but as I said before, in the end this is my job.

You have a truly enviable physique! Do you train often? Which sports do you play? Do you follow a particular diet?

I’m a very lucky man, I was blessed with great genetics, but now that I’m no longer young I’m unfortunately forced to spend more time in the gym than I would like to. With all the jobs I get, I can't manage to be as regular as I would like to, but when I'm at home I always try to go at least 4 times a week. I did 12 years of competitive cycling, so I have a huge passion for cycling. In winter I snowboard, in summer I enjoy walking in the mountains with my friends and as I said before, even though many people don't consider it a sport, I practice fishing. Speaking of diets, it’s always very difficult for me as I’m a big glutton. Let's say that I’m careful about what I eat, trying to have a lot of fruit and vegetables, and reducing the intake of carbs to a minimum. On weekends, however, I sometimes eat for 5 people.

On Instagram, you have a profile that counts 160K followers. What’s your relationship with social media? Have you ever received criticism from cyberbullies?

Instagram is an integral part of this job, as many clients now arrive thanks to social networks. With the agency, we’ve been working on them for years and now we’re beginning to see the results. The keyboard lions are everywhere, the important thing is not to give weight to these people who enjoy ruining others’ lives.

Plans for the future?

Future projects? Eh, it’s a question that many are asking me, and that I’m asking myself more and more often as well. Let's say that I’m looking for the right idea to start a new business, as I don’t know how long I will be able to do this job, maybe we'll update each other in a couple of years and I'll let you know.