World Premiere Interview: Dennis Hirdt

Photography by Nicholas Valois

"My first major runway show was in Milan for Gianfranco Ferre'..."

"I am a social person and I love meeting people from all different walks of life..."

-Hello Dennis, I am really flattered you accepted to be interviewed for my blog! just to start this interview off please give me some brief background information. I was born in Queens, NY and grew up in New York City and the surrounding areas. My father is of German decent, but is dark-skinned/eyed, and my mother is from Italian and Croatian decent, and is fair. I went to College at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts and the Universidad de las Islas Baleares in Mallorca in Spain and graduated with degrees in Spanish and Economics.

-Let's look back at how you started modeling, tell me about how you got discovered.
When I was living and studying in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, I had a friend who worked a lot as a model and actress with an agency there.  She set me up an appointment with them and I immediately did a Pepsi commercial. This was my first shoot and it was great pay for a college kid and it was shot on a beautiful beach named Es Trenc AND there was great catering.  I thought "this is the life!..."...little did I know that not every shoot down the line would be so exotic!

-What was your family's reaction to your decision to enter modeling?

My family was very excited and supportive and still are. I am blessed to have such a great family and a good friends.

-Who was your  first major runway show for? What was the feeling before and after the show?
My first major runway show was in Milan for Gianfranco Ferre. It is always a bit of a rush -like other things I've done like performing music live on stage, or being a pitcher in baseball. I have always been good at internalizing my excitement. My friends would always say, "D, you looked so cool out there." I would laugh to myself because I know that I was actually nervous or excited as all heck, but on the outside I keep a poker face. The same is the feeling at the big shows, I look at the snapshots from them and I look cool but it is exciting to have all those flashes snapping away. The charity shows are a bit of a looser atmosphere, and are fun to do as well.

-I know it's a very special moment for your career, can you tell me a bit about your recent modeling assignments and about the famous photographers you have worked with?
I have been happy to have worked with some great photographers, such as Milan [Vukmirovic], Terry Richardson, HayesHayes [Nick & Adam Hayes], Karl Langerfeld, Richard Phibbs, Giampaolo Sgura, Mariano Vivanco, ...I'm sorry if I left anybody out but it's been a bit of a whirlwind!...Terry has some great classic rock and punk music on his IPOD.  I have made a habit of while on shoots getting song ideas for my own IPOD, and then I remember the places I've been and the shoots I've done...It's always nice when it's cold and rainy in New York City and I'm able to get a little taste of the Carribbean, Hawaii, or the Italian Alps! What I've been pleasantly surprised at is how down to earth all of these photographers have been. The photographer is the captain of the photo shoot and I have found that most photographers have a good sense of humor -this helps to keep the shipmates in good spirits! Milan has the whole French sarcastic humor going in full force. I have been fortunate to have worked with such talented people because it pushes you to be your best when you work with people at the pinnacle of their profession.

-Apart from modeling what else do you enjoy doing?
I am a social person and I love meeting people from all different walks of life.  I really enjoy the spontaneity as well. I love to travel so that plays into it. There is a lot of time alone too, however, and to enjoy modeling I think you have to be the type of person who can enjoy his or her own company.  I can spend hours on end reading and writing and I find air travel a great place for that. Apart from modeling I really enjoy writing, singing, and producing music. I started playing instruments when I was eight and really enjoy the art. To be a good model you have to be flexible -good clay- but you are not the artist directing and molding the clay; your input for a shot can be helpful but ultimately it's the photographer's show.  As writer and producer I enjoy being the one actually molding the clay into a shape that I have envisioned.  I am currently writing and producing an album about a character of international intrigue -a 007 of sorts. People ask me "Dennis, how can you write about a secret agent when you haven't been one?" I ask them "what's the big difference between a model and a 007? They are the two jobs where you receive a call and have to be half-way across the globe -pronto; you travel in circles of the beautiful/powerful, and everybody wants to shoot you!"

-Tell me a little bit about your personality, how would you describe yourself in few words?  Which adjectives would you use? Life can be tough and stressful so I really enjoy a good laugh, and having friends that make me laugh is important to me. I believe laughter to be life's most undervalued commodity. I am disciplined but like to have a good time with good friends. I am energetic and can be somewhat quirky, particularly my sense of humor, so I appreciate people who put up with me!  Special thanks to my older brother Ken in that department!

-When you have time for leisure activities, what do you like to do?
Reading and songwriting are big-time leisure activities for me, and I also enjoy going to baseball games my friends.  I also like to fish, play sports,  and exercise. I have a petal-to-the metal attitude when it comes to exercise: I enjoy pushing myself to the brink or I feel like I haven't done anything!

 -Thanks for sharing your story with me and my readers Dennis, I wish you all the best: health, happiness, love and continued success!