Milan-based model and University of Otago student Tristan
Burnett, of AliMcD Agency, is back in Dunedin temporarily
to carry out further research for his biomedical science
thesis. Photo by Craig Baxter.
Not many people would consider leaving the fast-paced
fashion world of Milan for mice in Dunedin, but Tristan Burnett
did.
The University of Otago medical student has spent the past
four months modelling in the Italian city, but returned to
Dunedin to carry out further research for his biomedical
science thesis for an honours degree.
He will be here for the next month, investigating how
pregnancy affects the pancreas, and will complete his work
while back in Milan.
After modelling for four years with AliMcD Agency, the
23-year-old was recruited by Independent Men, a top
international male modelling agency. So far, he had done
print jobs for catalogues and look books, but no "big jobs".
In a typical day he could be moving between five castings or
working on a fashion shoot.
"The best thing about Milan for models is there is a lot of
work," he said.
Independent Men worked on 50% commission "so they do the
schmoozing and we have to seal the deal".
Mr Burnett may describe the city as the "fashion capital of
the world", but it was not that different from working in
Dunedin.
"Being on a shoot is being on a shoot. It's not really that
intimidating if you just take it in your stride.
"Milan is the fashion capital of the world and everyone wants
to be there so many people work for free. Everything about
Milan is work, work, work [but] it's really cool; it's really
different."
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