#MODELLOG || River Viiperi

Elite: Hi River, tell us where are you originally from?

River: I was born in Ibiza, Spain and I grew up in Madrid and Finland.

E: What was your first ever job you had?

R: The job that I consider as my first modelling job was a shoot for V Man with Hedi Slimane and Nicola Formicetti, and also walking for Calvin Klein in New York.

E: How were you scouted?

R: By my mother actually – she thought I should give it a try when I was in Spain and I was that good at studying so I thought I give that up and give modelling a try! I was lucky because she knew people at my agency in Spain really well and they put me in touch with Charlie from Elite London, so it all just took off from there… And two and half years later, here I am – still doing it!

E: What does your average (non-working) day consists off?

R: Sleep, sleep, and more sleep! Wake up late, be lazy, eat breakfast around midday, go out chill with friends and do normal things that everyone else does on a day off! Nothing too interesting and nothing too boring!

E: What’s so special about all the cities that you’re always in, such as London, Milan & New York?

R: London – the rain; Milan – too cold in the winter and in the summer it is way too hot to walk around, and New York is in my opinion the best – it’s the people, the energy, loads of stuff always going on and of course, the parties. Don’t get me wrong, the parties are good everywhere, but I’ve been living in NYC for the past two years, so the parties are good! LA – I love LA. I definitely see myself moving there because everyone is so chilled around there!

E: Do you ever miss home?

R: Hell yeah! My mum currently lives in Finland and I haven’t seen her in about a year and a half, and my dad lives in the Canary Islands and Madrid, and it’s been about 5, 6 months that I haven’t seen him… I suppose that’s the hard part about this job, but there’s always the good side too – and that’s the one you have to focus on.


E: What's your favourite hang-out spot here in London?
R: I haven't spent enough time in London to have a favourite hang-out, and I've never been here when the weather is as nice as it is today - so, on beautiful day such as today I just crave going down to like Hyde Park, grabbing some beers and chilling out with some friends!


E: ...And your favourite hang-out back at home in Spain?
R: At home I don't really stick to just being in one place, I like being spontaneous and always on the move. For example, last time I was in Spain six friends of mine and myself were at the bar when we saw this flyer that read "you are not brave enough to take this flight to Ibiza for 20€", so we did! We spent the day in Ibiza and came back the same day - but that is my style, no planning and just going with it.

E: Have you ever Googled yourself?

R: I have – all the time! Pretty much after every time I’ve been out partying especially with celebrities, I always make sure I Google myself to see that no weird rumours are going around! Also, once in a while I check all these blogs that follow male models - it’s just for fun, not because I really love myself that much!!!

I mean, who doesn’t Google themselves?!

E: Do you have any Facebook fan-pages?

R: I do, yes. I actually run one myself – well I don’t, but I have a guy who does it for me! I help him out with pictures and what to post… But he has the creative mind!!!

E: What would you say the perks of your job are?

R: Occasionally you get free clothes, you earn a lot of air-miles flying so you get free flights once in a while… Get to hang out in cool hang-outs with cool people!

E: What was the best freebie you got?

R: After doing the Versace x H&M campaign, I did a competition with them via my Facebook fan page and they sent me the entire collection (both men’s and women’s) it different sizes to do a little giveaway to all the fans who answered the right questions!

E: What was your last tweet/ Facebook status update?

R: I am just about to check that for you… Seeing that I am the Twitter-King!!!

Oh, yeah. The last tweet was about my job today which was the Westfield campaign… I was working with Mariano and this really cool chick, Samantha Gradoville!

E: Would you say you are addicted to all the social media?

R: I’m not addicted to Facebook, but I am addicted to Twitter! I love it!

E: What is your survival strategy for the men’s shows?

R: Go out! NOT – just try and save as much energy as I can; I have a lot of it, which definitely works to my advantage! I don’t know, everyone seems to complain a lot about the stress of the Fashion Weeks, but I honestly enjoy it. I always work hard, but there is also always room to have fun with all my friends who are in the shows & at the castings. Also knowing all the right casting directors helps you beat the queues at castings!

E: If you could walk to any song on the catwalk, what would it be?

R: Right now I am OBSESSED with “Take you higher” by Goodwill & Hook ‘N’ Sling, an awesome tune! Best song ever!