Aaron Shandel - Fashion, Ferragamo and Life Beyond Modelling

.cover story

Past Imperfect with Aaron Shandel

written + interview CHIDOZIE OBASI

The first time you come across Aaron Shandel’s coquettish, feel-good demeanour, you might swear this rising force was born decades before his time. So here’s the thing: A cinematic reel starts to play in your mind, where far beneath a striking stare lies a profoundly human and soulful presence. Born in Cape Town and now hailed in London, Shandel grew up skateboarding and surfing, having a very outdoorsy and active childhood.

“I’ve been in London for the past three years with some of my closest friends, and I’m loving life here,” he shares, as we settle into conversation. Alongside modelling, a profession that led him to work with some of the world’s leading brands, he’s currently building Yerb: a sparkling yerba maté drink that’s made in the UK. And if introspection and persistence are the goal, his fearless candour and unflinching gumption might just be the ticket. “I want to build things that outlast me,” says Shandel. “Companies with purpose at the core, projects that improve people’s lives in ways they can feel, whether that’s what they drink, how they gather, or the opportunities they’re given. And the long-term dream is to build enough that I can give back properly to the community in South Africa. That’s home, and I’d love for my work here to eventually open doors for people there.” As for the rest? You’ll probably read it here first. You’re welcome.

Aaron wears a total look by VALENTINO

Aaron wears a coat by BOSS, shirts by BURBERRY and DOLCE&GABBANA, pants by IM MEN, shoes by CHURCH’S and ties by CARUSO

Chidozie Obasi
First things first: could you kindly introduce yourself to us?

Aaron Shandel
Hello, I’m Aaron, born and raised in Cape Town. I grew up skateboarding and surfing, a very outdoorsy and active childhood. I’ve been in London for the past three years, living with some of my closest friends, and I’m loving life here. Alongside modelling I’m building Yerb with a friend: a sparkling yerba maté drink we make here in the UK. I can’t surf in London, sadly, so I run and play football to stay sane.

When did you first get acquainted with the fashion and creative industries?

When I was fifteen, I was surfing a wave in Cape Town called Sollies, and I noticed a man staring at me in the water. I asked him if everything was okay, and he said, ‘You have a really interesting look. Have you ever thought about modelling in Europe?’ I said definitely not. Then he started pointing out my ears, my nose, all the features I was actually insecure about, and telling me they’d be really good for the runway. Honestly, I thought it was a scam. I finished my surf, didn’t see him again, and went on with my life. Then two weeks later I spotted him in the water again, and I thought, okay I´ll give it a shot, I got his number, and it went from there. His name was Oliver Sutton, a photographer living between Cape Town & London. He became my first mother agent and got me signed internationally.

And when did you realise that you wanted to pursue this professionally?

When I was sixteen, I got the chance to go to London and Milan for fashion week. I travelled alone, which was so exciting. I was still in school, hadn’t travelled in years, and this was my first time solo travelling. I got handed a tube map and had no idea how to use public transport. I ended up doing a few shows that first season, and my mindset was: as long as I can make a thousand rand, which is around forty pounds, and get to travel, I would take this opportunity and run. Nowadays I find modelling an incredible way to see the world, and something to do alongside building a business, which has always been my real dream.

How has the past year been for you?

The past year has been incredible. I’ve had the privilege of walking in womenswear fashion week, in September last year and February this year, for Ferragamo, which felt like a déjà-vu moment: Ferragamo was my very first show in Milan at sixteen, and a decade later I’m back on their runway. Besides that, it’s been a balancing act between university, modelling and building Yerb. Whenever I’m not on a modelling job, I’m out doing in-person Yerb sales and events to grow the brand. I also recently started a run club with friends called Taste, where the after-party social is the main event.

Aaron wears a total look by DIOR

Aaron wears a blazer by MFPEN, a T-shirt by THE FRANKIE SHOP, shirts and ties by CELINE, pants by STUDIO NICHOLSON and shoes by GIUSEPPE ZANOTTI

Looking back, was there anything that made you proud of your journey?

Looking back, I'm most proud of an eighteen year old me just giving it a crack. I finished school and moved straight to London, then New York, alone. Figuring out flats, castings, money. I met and lived with people from all over the world, and slowly learnt I could handle myself anywhere.

And speaking of downturns/moments of doubt or when you were low in spirit, how would you go about tackling them?

I’ve had plenty of these periods throughout my journey, and I’ve learnt the most going through them. I think the best way to tackle hard times is to get the fundamentals in order: eat well, exercise every day, organise the space around you, and give yourself time. I’ve also found that having a greater purpose for your days really helps, something you care about and are working towards. It makes everything easier because you know you’re on the right path. That could be anything from studying to work to volunteering.

From major campaigns, high-end runways to fashion’s most covetable fixtures, you’ve climbed the industry’s ladder in a way that could spark pangs of envy amid your peers. How does that feel? And were there moments that affected your mental health, in a way?

It's pretty surreal when I stop and think about it. Some of the brands I've worked with, I grew up seeing as untouchable, so to be in those rooms feels like a genuine privilege. And it's taught me so much: watching world-class creatives trust their vision completely and execute it with that level of attention to detail has inspired me more than any course ever could. As for envy, honestly, I've never really felt it around me. Early on I was living in model apartments with other guys, and we all genuinely wanted each other to win. Most of us fell into this randomly, and in an industry where you control so little of your destiny, resenting someone else's success is pointless. When one of us booked something big, we celebrated it.

The hardest stretch mentally was when I tried modelling full time. No base, living out of a suitcase, and slowly realising that modelling isn't actually a full-time job. That year taught me a lot, mainly that I needed to build something of my own alongside it.

Aaron wears a total look by MIU MIU

Aaron wears a total look by TOM FORD

What’s your take on inclusivity in fashion, currently?

Oh, not really.

It’s genuinely better than it was. But Models.com recently ran a data piece on casting, and the majority of castings are still overwhelmingly white. My worry is that inclusivity gets treated like a trend. It surges when there’s pressure, then quietly reverts when the moment passes.

How have you dealt with rejection, over the years?

I try never to take it personally. You’re rarely being rejected as a person; you’re just not the fit for that brief on that day. And funnily enough, some of my best jobs came from rejections. A no is often just a not-now.

And tell me: who’s been your biggest mentor, thus far?

Honestly, my parents. My dad for the way he carries himself. He's endlessly optimistic, humble, and all-in on everything he does. And my mom, we're incredibly close. No matter where I am in the world, I can feel her support. They never questioned the unconventional path I chose. They just backed me.

What do you find pleasure in, outside of modelling?

Surfing, above everything, is my greatest pleasure. In London I stay active, running and football, because I’m better in every part of life after training. And music: festivals especially. I love electronic music and find those spaces extremely inspiring, creatively.

Do you have any major aspirations for your future?

I want to build things that outlast me. That's the honest answer. Right now that's a drinks brand, but it's less about the product and more about building something people genuinely feel, whether that's what's in their hand or the community around it. And the bigger dream is to give back to the community in South Africa. I love my home, and I'd love to get to a point where what I'm building here lets me do that properly.

Any hopes? Final thoughts/reflections?

This is my first real cover after a decade in the industry, and I won’t pretend it doesn’t feel surreal. There’s still a part of me that can’t quite believe it’s happening. Ten years in, and moments like this still feel like the first day. I’m so thankful to Chidozie and the LE MILE team for making the whole experience as warm and memorable as it’s been.

The magazine’s theme is: Déjà-Vu. Have you had any over recent years or so?

Yes, through people, strangely. Since moving countries I keep meeting people who feel instantly familiar, like a friend from home recast in a new city. Same humour, same energy, raised in a totally different world. The first few times it’s eerie; after a while it becomes comforting. It’s made the world feel small in the best way, like wherever you go, your people are already there. You just haven’t met them yet.

Aaron wears a total look by GUCCI

Aaron wears a total look by LORO PIANA

Aaron wears a blazer by CELINE, a jacket by TOD’S, a tank top by ISABEL MARANT, pants by EMPORIO ARMANI and shorts by VLISCO

Aaron wears a total look by PRADA

Aaron wears a blazer by EMPORIO ARMANI, cardigans by VERSACE and ACNE STUDIOS, a shirt by DSQUARED2, pants by MOSCHINO and jewellery by LAG WORLD

Aaron wears a coat by CELINE, a vest by CARUSO, a shirt by MOSCHINO and pants by QUARTO ATTO

Aaron wears a blazer by CANALI, a vest by DOLCE&GABBANA, a shirt by MSGM, pants by DIESEL and shoes by PREMIATA

Aaron wears a cardigan by MISSONI, a sweater by AVANT-TOI, a shirt by UNKNOWN ARTISAN and pants by SETCHU

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model AARON SHANDEL via WILHELMINA MODELS
photography COSIMO BUCCOLIERI via STUDIO REPOSSI
fashion market director + styling CHIDOZIE OBASI
head of production JESSICA LOVATO
contributing fashion editor EDWARD PUȘCA
fashion coordinators ALBERTO MICHISANTI + FILIPPO CANCELLIER
make up JO SANNA via THE GREEN APPLE ITALIA using MAC COSMETICS + MAC COSMETICS ITALIA
hair FUJIWARA TAKAHASHI via MKS MILANO
photography assistant ANTONIO CROTTI
fashion assistants SIMONA VERNAZZA + DAIANA EDOSA + SALMA JABRY + VALENTINA GENEROSO + ILARIA GABRA + NNEKA ENWEONWU
special thanks to CASAORNELLA MILANO

credits
all Images (c) LE MILE
and Cosimo Buccolieri