Chris Bachmann is a commercial fashion model and personal trainer currently living in Auckland, New Zealand. At Urbanity Chic we were really keen to interview Chris so that we could share his experiences and impressive modeling portfolio with you. Read on to find out about Chris’ emigration to New Zealand in 2010, who inspires him and what he’s hoping to achieve in the future.
Chris Bachmann
Hugo Boss - Femme
Q: How did you get into fashion modeling?
I met a photographer in the summer of 2009 in Paris who asked me if I’d like to do a shoot with her. I am a spontaneous person who likes to give everything a try so I said yes. The shoot was in beautiful central Paris, in the famous park Les Tuilleries and was so much fun. She made me smile and laugh a lot and had great ideas. The pictures turned out great which gave me the confidence to pursue this industry in New Zealand.
Q: How was 2010 for you?
2010 was one of the most important years in my life. In January 2010 I moved from Paris to New Zealand to challenge myself in a completely new environment. My sister Caro was the reason I chose to come here because she had a job as a German Teacher for in the South Island and absolutely loved it there. In the first few months I traveled a lot, discovered so many amazing places, met so many fantastic people and shared a flat with my sister. At the end of June I moved to Auckland to start my Job as a Personal Trainer at Cityfitness in Newmarket. I finally made my dream come true by becoming a full-time Personal Trainer. After starting my new job I also realized a new goal by signing up with modeling agency Red 11.
Q: Who inspires you?
I am inspired by many people. In my life rather than one specific person. I think everyone has the potential to be inspiring and this is why I respect everyone and never judge people. Great leaders, achievers and people who have a whole package inspire me. By the whole package I mean strength, endurance, passion, the knowledge to lead and to help or teach.
Q: Which modern day fashion designers or fashion icons do you look up to?
I look up to a huge variety of fashion designers both internationally and in New Zealand. I love collections by international designers Tom Ford and Giorgio Armami as well as Kiwi collections by Zambesi and Huffer. In terms of style I look up to people like James Dean, Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga.
Q: Do you prefer to shoot on location or in the studio?
I prefer shooting on location as i prefer the natural lighting, being able to play with the background and because it allows me to try new things. Shooting on location is both more challenging and enjoyable.
Chris Bachmann
Chris Bachmann
Ralph Lauren - Wild
Q: Do you have any interesting stories about a particular photo shoot, or a casting you’d like to share?
During the second shoot I did in Paris, the photographer and I saw this bunch of older men with wine bottles along the Seine and we asked if they would join in on our shoot. Another interesting shoot was when I had to hang from a bridge over a canal. I always try to challenge myself with unique and innovative shoots.
Q: How do you prepare for a fashion shoot or show?
As a German I like to be very organised :). I think that getting enough sleep in the two nights before a shoot or show is important. I also like to have my clothes ready, familiarity with the location and the fashion. At the end of the day it is just a matter of how everything fits together.
Chris Bachmann - Chris' Favourite Photograph
Q: Do you have a favourite photograph?
Well, almost all my friends and supporters love the one where I lie shirtless, on my stomach at the Seine in Paris as I have this natural, awesome smile. Thank you again Marina Zelmer for that shot, I love it. When I first saw it I could not believe that it was me.
Q: Who is your favourite photographer?
I love fashion photography by Steven Klein and Mario Testino, as well as fine art photography by David LaChapelle.
Q: Is there anybody you would like to work with?
Rather than work with anybody specific, I just want to work with professionals who are able to teach me and push me to become better in this industry. Of course it would be incredible to work with some of the fashion designers or photographers I mentioned above.
Q: What does fashion mean to you?
As a trainer and model, I believe it is important for people to feel good about themselves and their image. Fashion is an important part of this. Fashion is an art and not only allows people to be creative in the designs, but makes people feel more confident about the way they look.
Q: How would you define your personal style?
My personal fashion consultant helps me a lot here. My style is not overdressed, but casual chic. I often wear dark slim-fitting jeans and a shirt. I also like to wear accessories such as scarves and hats. I prefer to wear the more classic colours like black, grey and marine blue but sometimes I like to add a splash of colour. I often like to dress quite sporty too.
Chris Bachmann
Chris Bachmann
Giorgio Armani - Code
Q: Where are you based?
I am based in Auckland, New Zealand and I really enjoy living here. Auckland is the fantastic place to have a good work / life balance. The people here are very friendly, easy going and open minded. NZ is also a very multicultural country, where you can meet a diverse range of people.
Q: What’s it like being where you’re from?
I am proud to be German. Germany is a wonderful place and the people are very focused, determined, straightforward and honest. I encourage people to visit Germany at least once, it is an amazing place.
Q: What’s been the highlight of your career to date?
There is not one big highlight so far but I see many little highlights. Important highlights were signing up with an agent, connecting with all these awesome people in the model and fashion industry and getting the first paid jobs and doing catwalks for the first time. I am still working towards my big goal, representing a famous brand or being on a cover.
Q: What are you hoping to achieve in 2011?
2011 is all about being more professional and taking steps towards my goals and dreams. In 2011 I want to do a lot of networking with people in the fashion industry to learn more and gain more opportunities. Another big goal for 2011 is creating my own personal training website create short exercise videos.
Q: What do you do to relax?
Relaxing is very important to me. I do many things to calm down such as exercising in the gym, going for a run or walk outside, reading my book, taking photos with my camera or watching a good movie.
Q: What songs are on your ipod at the moment?
I have a vast range of musical styles to suit the different areas of my life, but mostly pop/rock, dance and German/French music. I think Michael Jackson, James Morrisson, Adele and One Republic are really great.
Q: Do you have interesting hobbies?
Modeling will always be my hobby and I like taking my own pictures of landscapes. A new hobby of mine is dancing, I attend weekly Zumba classes and belong to a hip-hop dance group here in Auckland. Watching movies, reading, exercising and travelling are other things I love to do with my free time.
Chris Bachmann
Chris Bachmann
Moschino - Glamour
Q: If you could give a little piece of advice for new models or aspiring models what would it be?
Everyone can be a model – it’s all about confidence. Perhaps get a gym membership and a Personal Trainer so you can feel confident about your body and image. Try to find a photography student who would like to learn or train with new models and do it for free. Set up your own model profile on Model Mayem or Starnow and meet as many people in the industry as you can. Be curious and passionate about modeling and most of all be confident in yourself.
Q: What motivates you to do what you do?
Being happy, living a good life and always having my best friends around me. Every night before going to bed I think about the day and how it was. Everyday I want to be able to say: It was a great day, the things I did made me and others happy and I look forward to tomorrow.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to let our readers know about?
Only the fact that I want to say thank you. Thank you to all my supporters and those who believe in me. Thank you to my friends, flatmates, family and my gym Cityfitness. I love you all!
People who are interested in getting in touch with me for any reason: Go for it! I really love to build up my network.
Editor’s Note: Chris Bachmann’s impressive portfolio will undoubtedly lead to moulding a successful career as commercial model over the coming months and years.
If you’d like to contact Chris Bachmann just follow the links below:
Starnow: http://www.starnow.com/christophbachmann
Red Eleven Models: http://www.red11.co.nz/details.aspx?modelid=506017&nav=11&subid=3015&mainsubid=3015&catid=1&kidage&sexid=1
Model Mayhem: http://www.modelmayhem.com/2195146
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