Rafael Valentino: Male model on a mission
When it comes to less pay for equal work, women are disproportionately at a disadvantage end of the gender income gap—except when it comes to modeling. Modeling is probably the only industry where it’s an accepted fact that women will earn more than their male counterparts.
Oscar Garnica who manages male model bookings at New York Models’ NYM2 division breaks it down more bluntly.
“Black male models account for maybe 20% of every booking that [is] done, whereas, white male models dominate the bookings across the board.” Garnica adds, “[Then] you have Dominican models that are also people of color, but will be [sent to] the booking as the ‘black guy.’”
Indeed out of the approximately 118 spring 2013 menswear shows, more than half, or 52.5 percent, did not use a single black model. The numbers were worse for fall 2013 with 61 percent of the approximately 131 designers who presented collections for the season opting not to use any black models.
Sexual harassment: Equal opportunity
Valentino is just as careful when he discusses getting hit on. “I wouldn’t go as far as to deem it harassment or any of those things,” he says. “The way that women handle that sort of thing in a professional setting, according to their moral compass, is similar to how men in fashion handle that as well, whether it be advances from men or women.”
Obviously, the pros outweigh the cons for Valentino.
Recounting the Levi’s shoot, Valentino says, “At one point during the commercial we were able to go on top of Grand Central Station… [We] were hanging over the ledge with our feet dangling.” He says it’s a moment he’ll carry with him well into the future. “I’ll always be able to tell my kids that, you know, I was in a Levi’s commercial, and I also was able to sit on top of Grand Central Station.”
Looking ahead with Hollywood hopes
In the meantime, with only two years in the business under his belt, Valentino understands he’s in the paying dues phase of his career. Describing relentless networking, he details, “It’s always constant work as it relates to going to fashion events and meeting people and taking photos.” He’s also managing his expectations, even as he balances them with his ultimate goal.
“My agent was good enough,” he says, to let him know “men’s modeling is not as lucrative as women’s modeling is on any level, regardless of color.” Valentino adds, “he did say that things are a bit more difficult for African-American males and males of color that are in fashion, but that, you know, that there are odds beaters.”
It’s a long road from here to becoming the next Marky Mark “slash” Oscar-nominated actor and producer Mark Wahlberg. “I am still climbing the rungs of success,” Valentino knows. “Obviously, I aim higher.”
Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond is the author of the novel Powder Necklace and founder of the blog People Who Write. Follow her on Twitter @nanaekua.
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