One-On-One With 8 Of Egypt's Top Male Models

Only recently has the genetically-blessed specimen that is the male model risen to the forefront of the fashion industry in Egypt; all of a sudden all these handsome young fellas were popping up on billboards and Instagram posts and soon their faces became instantly recognisable. So we hunted down eight of Egypt's top male models ahead of the Easter break – each of their (rather chiselled) physiques clad in brands like Geox, Reebok, Quiksilver, Rockport, Timberland, Vans, GoSport, and Levi's – who helped us understand what lies beneath that handsome exterior of a male model and what it's like to work in this relatively unsaturated profession in a country like Egypt...

Andrew Atef Basta

How did you get into modelling?

Two friends invited me to join and try it out and I kind of went with the flow.

How did your family react? What did your father say?

After my first TV ad I got kicked out of the house for a month; my dad is really against me modelling. 

What would be the name of your signature pose - like Zoolander was known for Blue Steel and Magnum.

The Smolder

How often do you eat pizza? 

I love pizza. I could eat two large pizzas in one sitting; I don’t let modelling get in the way of what I want to eat. 

Shop the look at Geox.

Mohamed Alfie

How did you get into modelling?

I was at work and someone asked me if I would like to model for their company, and it kind of developed from there.

How did your father react?

My dad is happy and excited for me – even more than my mom, but they are both very supportive.

How did your pre-modelling friends react to your career?

That is the problem; they always used to mock me, but now they are very supportive

How long do you think a career in modelling is sustainable?

Not long at all, because it is all about fresh blood.

Shop the look at Reebok.

Mohamed Medhat

How did you get into modelling?

I got into modelling by pure coincidence. Two years ago at the North Coast, a director came up to me and suggested that I get a career in modelling. As I was at the casting office it was my luck that representatives from Cairo Fashion Festival where there.

Which Zoolander character do you identify with?

Owen Wilson

What would be the name of your signature pose?

Charm Look

How long do you think a career in modelling is sustainable?

It will last for as long as it takes for a competitor to show up and override what makes me different or unique.

Do you eat pizza? 

Of course I eat pizza, but not more than once a month; but when it is pizza time, I go for two pizzas and a litre of Coca-Cola. 

Shop the look at Quiksilver.

Youssef Shamekh

How did you get into modelling?

Someone came to me at a party and told me they wanted me for a shoot; I said yes, and it just progressed from there.

How did your family react?

My family are originally ballet dancers, so they were generally more okay with the concept than other families would be.

How did your pre-modelling friends react to your career?

My friends kind of think that I became some famous actor or something, it's pretty funny.

Which Zoolander character do you identify with?

Ben Stiller

What would be the name of your signature pose?

The Sexy Joe

How long do you think a career in modelling is sustainable?

Age is not an element, but the context of the shoot may change as I grow.

Shop the look at Rockport.

Mohamed El Bably 

How did you get into modelling?

I had a friend who had been in modelling for a while and he introduced me to the right people who helped kick-start my growth as a model.

How did your pre-modelling friends react to your career?

They kind of joked around about it a lot, as if I had become this bigshot or something.

Which Zoolander character do you identify with?

Owen Wilson

What would be the name of your signature pose?

The Sharp Look

Shop the look at Timberland. 

Yehia Saada

How did you get into modelling?

It was back in 2010; I was at the pool when a friend came and offered me a job to be in a commercial, and things just progressed from there.

How did your family react? 

They didn’t believe me at first. It took a while to convince them that I was really a model, but they are really supportive.

How did your pre-modelling friends react to your career?

Super mockery, but it is ok, we just love to joke.

When people recognise you do you feel weird or do you feel flattered? 

It happens a lot in the party scene; it does feel good to some extent. I am comfortable with it because it helps with my lack of self-confidence.

Shop the look at Vans.

Ramy Rainier

How did you get into modelling?

I started by participating and winning a catwalk competition. Modelling had always been a dream of mine.

How long do you think a career in modelling is sustainable?

It is not about time or age, it is about working hard and staying fit.

When people recognise you do you feel weird or do you feel flattered? 

I find it weird and it makes me feel shy.

How often do you eat pizza? 

I eat pizza twice a week, maybe even more. 

Shop the look at GoSport.

Tarek Naguib 

How did you get into modelling?

I have been in the field for almost nine years now, and I was Mr. Egypt 2010.

How did your pre-modelling friends react to your career?

My friends loved the idea and many of them even tried to pursue the same career.

How long do you think a career in modelling is sustainable?

It isn’t a career as much as it is an opportunity-based market that either leads you into acting or loops around the same bush.

When people recognise you do you feel weird or do you feel flattered? 

It definitely is a good feeling to be recognised for doing something you love, but I am no Tom Cruise so it is not as often.

Shop the look at Levi's.