What a week!

Matthew Saliba, recent winner of the Mr Maltese Islands title, tells Ramona Depares about catwalk politics

I am probably the only male model who has lasted so long on the scene in Malta. When I first started sixteen years ago I was very young, fifteen years old in fact. And I certainly was no great model! I used to rush up and down the catwalk, eager to get it over and done with. Then, gradually, I learnt all about deportment and stage presence… how to bond with the audience and how to show off the clothes. And I got used to it and started enjoying every minute on stage.

Today I am not connected to one particular agency, I’d rather model freelance. I have modeled – and still do – for most of the major brands: Hot Couture, Morgan, Levis, Replay, Diesel… I discovered that adverts, too, were fun to do and they give you added exposure. The best campaign, both exposure and money-wise, was definitely that for Maltacom’s Easyline. It’s been going for over a year now and everyone is familiar with the campaign’s catchphrase: Ilhaqt?

Taking part in Mr Maltese Islands by Fa Men (long title that!) was exciting. I had been contacted by Sue Rossi and Claudia Calleja of Modelle International to take part in the competition, but I certainly didn’t expect to win. Well, I did hope to, of course… Seven of us made it to the finals and it was a very competitive affair.

Not that male modeling is as cut-throat as the female sphere. There aren’t many Maltese men who model and because we’re such a small group we’re much like a family. A competitive family, but it’s the healthy kind. Female models face a lot more competition than we do and perhaps it is because of this that there is more back-stabbing and fierce competitiveness in their events. It’s only human nature, I guess.

Of course, abroad the competition is vicious, both for female and male models. The stakes are so much higher, they’re working for very good money – unlike us! And there are so many models, it all becomes a thousand times harder.

I am often asked why I think that no Maltese model has ever made it abroad. The answer is, of course, the extreme competition. Being a small island, we can only produce so many potential models. The ratio is against us. And so is our typically Mediterranean height, I’m afraid. Malta boasts a good number of good-looking people, both male and female. And there are some good models, too. But it’s difficult for all of us to make it in catwalk modeling in Milan, or London, because height is an automatic pre-requisite. Which means that we might make it into photo modeling but definitely not into catwalk. It’s a pity, but it’s one of the facts of life.

I believe that modeling has to be inside you. Like I said, there are many good-lookers around but not all of them necessarily possess stage chemistry. I’ve seen this with some of the models I’ve had to train. Some are too stiff, others too confident and don’t have the right attitude for the audience. This doesn’t mean that they are not attractive enough. One thing to bear in mind is that catwalk modeling is different from competitive modeling events. Unless you are in a competition, the clothes are more important than yourself. The catwalk model’s role is to show off the clothes and not himself.

While this may sound easy, in reality it is not. There is a certain way how to show off pockets, lining, jewellery and all the other accessories that make up an outfit. Also, different people do different things best. For instance, I consider myself more of a catwalk model than a photographic one. When it comes to photos, I especially admire Justin Haber, who is extremely good. As for foreign models, I’m afraid I’ll give you something of a cliché but the fact is that Naomi Campbell is my favourite. She’s the ideal model.

I model for the fun of it, certainly not for the money. It’s a sad fact that models in Malta are not paid much. But nothing equals the thrill of being of the catwalk! The strange thing is that I’m rather a shy person in everyday life. Luckily on stage I change completely. Even backstage, we’re all buzzing around, joking and having a great time. Actually it is vital that the models keep a good atmosphere backstage: if there’s no bonding, if the team doesn’t get on well together, then the show will be a flop. Music is also important, both before and during the event. The right song for the right vibe, that’s all there is to it.

Modelling isn’t all fun and games though. It takes effort, hard work and a lot of time. I burst out laughing whenever some new model goes: u iva, it’s just a bit of posing, no? Definitely not. There are a whole lot of rehearsals to attend, which I don’t always feel like after a long day at work. I have to watch my diet, more or less, which is quite a big sacrifice considering that I’m a choc-aholic. Then there are the sessions at the gym, which are occasionally fun but which again can be tedious. Something I have to drag myself there! And finally there’s the work itself. A professional model has to know what he’s doing when he’s on stage. He has to know when to push himself and when to show off the clothes.

A common problem with male models here is that they will not, at any costs, accept to wear make-up. As anyone in the scene will know, going out on the catwalk without make-up on will lead to a disaster. Any situation with harsh lights requires make-up, whether you’re male or female. Just ask the movie stars! After all, catwalk lighting is certainly not the most flattering. What is really irritating is when a model wheedles his way out on the catwalk without any make-up and ends up lowering the standard of the whole show. That kind of behaviour is unfair on the rest of the team.

At the moment I am enjoying my various assignments. Then in September I’ll be in another big event: Mr World. Most probably the competition will be held in Malta, which is always great exposure. Any event that puts Malta on the international map is always welcomed by everyone!