Model Man: Tarun Nijjer Took London Fashion Week By Storm

The men’s fall shows in London came to an end earlier this week—130 designers over three days—and amidst all the suiting and scarves, male model Tarun Nijjer, caught our eye. He opened and closed Burberry Prorsum, where Christopher Bailey put forth a relaxed collection he called A Painterly Journey. “I never expected to work with someone as huge as Burberry so suddenly, but I’ve absolutely loved every single minute of it,” Nijjer says. “I actually didn’t realize I was going to have such a big role in the show until someone mentioned it in passing to me the day before, and it didn’t sink in until I was about to step out onto the catwalk. I loved it!”

Nineteen-year-old Nijjer’s mother is English, and his dad is from the Punjab in India. He attended St. Paul’s School in Barnes South West London and is currently studying English Literature at Bristol University. Here, the model and the scholar talks about conspiracy theories, his favorite products, and why he’s similar to Chandler on Friends.

Full name: Tarunjit Nijjer (he goes by Tarun)

Agency: D1 Models London

What are you wearing right now? Black jeans, black T-shirt that says Earthlings are idiots, and a green parka.

What are the three items you always keep in your pockets? My ID, my Samsung phone (never Apple), and chewing gum.

How were you discovered? At Reading Festival 2012, the classic sixteen-year-old initiation rite.

Most memorable modeling moment: Opening for Burberry!

Most embarrassing modeling moment: Being ridiculed every day by my friends for modeling—they’re not fans.

How do you stay in model shape? Any tricks of the trade? I play a lot of football, but I’m not a gym-kinda guy, it’s just not for me.

If you weren’t modeling, what would be your dream job? Managing or playing for Chelsea F.C. . . . if only . . .

Describe your style in five words: Underwear, T-shirt, jeans, jacket, and shoes.

If you could trade closets with someone else, whose would you choose? Someone with a lot of money, so I could sell all their clothes and buy my own.

What new addition to your wardrobe are you currently craving this season? The brogues worn for the Burberry show.

What item in your closet do you most cherish? Why? My Chelsea skinny tracksuit bottoms, I think I wear them about 250 days of the year.

Grooming item you cannot live without: Biotherm face moisturizer.

What is the next thing you are going to purchase? Fruit Gums, M&M’s.

Who is the last person to cut your hair? An awesome stylist called Matt.

What is the first website you go to in the morning? Rather shamefully, Facebook . . .

What songs are on repeat on your iPod right now? “Taro” by Alt-J, every song on the second CD of Flume’s Deluxe Edition, and “Metal and Dust” by London Grammar.

What movie is at the top of your Netflix queue? The Godfather trilogy—I heard it’s decent.

What’s on your Kindle / Nook / iBook shelf right now? The Pearl by my favorite author, Steinbeck.

Name the television character with whom you most identify: Chandler from Friends, love a bit of sarcasm.

One place you always visit while in New York: Only been once, but Yankee Stadium was pretty cool.

Favorite destination you have traveled to so far: Amsterdam.

Where would you like to go on your next vacation? Road trip up the West Coast of the U.S.

What is the best advice (professional or personal) you’ve ever been given? Make sure you can take constructive criticism.

What quality is most attractive in a girlfriend? A girl who talks a lot so I don’t have to. Fidelity and being funny is pretty handy too.

What quality do you most appreciate in a friend? Someone who doesn’t mind me making fun of them, laughs at it, and then giving it back to me.

Name one natural talent you wish you had: I wish I could just pick up a guitar and go mad.

Subject you could wax poetic about / something that fascinates you: Any conspiracy theories, I’m the one to come to.

What are your words to live by? Don’t base your life on a motto.