Supermodels SA December 2014 Issue 40 | Page 33

MALE MODELS TAKING OVER THE RUNWAY! Eden Classens is one of South Africa’s rising male models. At a young age Eden was inspired by his mother to start developing his singing and acting talents. Throughout the years he competed in a number of competitions and in high school he also starred in various singing, dancing and acting productions. The Johannesburg-based youngster left for the Big Apple after completing his school education to study musical theatre and acting at one of the most prestigious film schools in the world, the New York Film Academy. There he trained under the acclaimed Broadway Casting Director, VP Boyle. The intensive and very hands-on program gave Eden the opportunity to work in front and behind the camera, as well as on stage as the teachers were worldclass performers and current Broadway professionals. The rest one could say is history. ‘Mr Paradise’ soon ventured into modelling and soon after he participated in Fashion Weeks hosted in Milan, London and New York. Most recently he was seen in action at the Men’s Health Summer Collection and also participated during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa. Staying in shape to fit comfortably into high fashion designs has become a daily routine. ‘As a model I’ve always rebelled against the ‘skinny’ lifestyle of the modelling world, but could finally get a balance between staying in shape while being small enough to fit the clothes,’ he chuckles. Eden’s not letting his acting training go to waste as he’s starred in various short films such as the musical, It is what it is, which received various awards during international festivals. He also had the opportunity to work on the American film, Prisoner of War, with the likes