RAISING THE BARRE
Top designers are queuing up for Peter’s perfect talents
From Fr lord of the dance to king of the catwalk, gravity- gra defying Peter Russell Ru has jetéd and pliéd plié his way to success in theth world of modelling.
The Th flexible 40-year-old, who has danceddanc with companies all over Europe,Euro is now one of Scotland’s most sought-after male models. Peter, Pe who grew up in Edinburgh, has wwalked runways across the globeglob and modelled for some of the hottest designers on the planet,plan including Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton.
The cocontemporary dancer, wwho was scouted at the famousfa La Scala opera househ in Milan 12 yearsyear ago, has also worked one to one with the queenque of fashion – DonaDonatella Versace. Pete Peter, who has lived in SwSweden, Italy, Denmark Denm and LA, returned retur home to Scotland Scotl three years ago and now has Britain’sBrit biggest brands bra queuing up tot use him in theirthe advertising campaigns. cam
TheT f o r mer professional dancer, who is signed to Scotland’s top agency Colours, said: “I will always be a dancer at heart but modelling has opened so many doors and has allowed me to see the world.
“My dance background has also made for some impressive action modelling shots for magazines and adverts in countries across the globe.
“My passion for dancing began at an early age. I used to sneak out of school and go down to the Dance Base in Edinburgh to do break dance and ballet classes.
“After school I auditioned and got a scholarship to do a BA in dance and per formance at Northern School of Contemporary Dance in Leeds. From there I went to London and for the next 10 years I was dancing in companies in London, Sweden and Denmark.
“I danced in operas, musicals and contemporary dance shows that toured around Europe. It was an exciting time, nothing can beat the thrill and freedom of throwing yourself about a stage.”
The former Merchiston Castle pupil added: “I got a knee injury and needed an operation which forced me to take a few months out from dancing. While recovering I took a trip to Italy and that’s when I got into the modelling.
“I was in Milan visiting a friend who was performing at La Scala. He was choreographing a piece and he introduced me to a modelling agent who signed me up immediately.
“I could have gone back to dancing but I decided to have a shot at a new career.”
The 6ft 2in hunk spent the next four years in Italy working for the top names in the fashion industry.
He said: “I hit the Italian modelling scene at exactly the right time as tall foreign men with beards were in high demand. The fact that I was Scottish made me even more desirable.
“I started with Paul Smith and Louis Vuitton but one of the clients I worked with the longest was Versace, which was pretty cool.
“I was working in-house and got to do some of their fashion shows. I got to do their presentations and at one stage I was doing them for
Donatella herself. I would be ushered into her studio to model her range for the next season. She would either make the adjustments on the clothes I was wearing herself or get the designers to do it for her.
“She came along with her little dog and she would be smoking a cigarette. She would say to me, ‘ Darling would you like an espresso, yes, someone get him an espresso’.
“She was a real caricature, really lovely but so weird to see up close and personal.” Peter, who did a gap year between school and uni teaching science in a Ugandan village, added: “For a guy from Scotland having all those big names felt pretty impressive, but when you are there for a few years you get used to it.
“I did seasons in South Africa, Asia and Turkey. I did campaigns for Philip Morris, the cigarette people, and pictorials for GQ and Men’s Health magazines.
“I also did lots of catalogue work in Austria and Germany and randomly modelled a range of celebrity socks on the runway in the Philippines. One of the most impressive shows I did was for Italian designer Stefano Ricci at the famous Uf f izi Gal lery in Florence alongside eight Masai warriors who had been flown over from Tanzania. It was incredible.”
After four years in Milan, Peter, who is f luent in Swedish and Ital ian, came back to London and did a Masters in f ilm and directing at Central Saint Martins.
He moved to LA and worked for a production company for a couple of years before returning to Scotland in 2017 and continuing his modelling career.
Peter, who works in digital marketing, said: “I was delighted when Colours took me on and thanks to them I’ve had some amazing jobs. I’ve done a lot with Trespass – shooting in the Canary Islands and up in Aviemore and Glencoe.
“I’ve done campaigns for Lyle and Scott knitwear and am a regular in the Scottish wedding magazines and catwalk shows. I’ve also done
Alistair Devine’s Men In Kilts calendar twice. My favourite shot is of me leaping in a kilt outside the Hydro. My dance training can come in very handy.
“I’ve modelled all over the world but Scotland is definitely the friendliest place to work. The models are down to earth and the atmosphere on shoots is fantastic.”
He added: “I do yoga and go to the gym to stay in shape but I haven’t danced in a while. I turned 40 in January and have made a resolution to start dancing again for fun.
“One of the people I worked with in England got me into Latin ballroom dancing, which I loved, so I’m hoping to go back to tangoing and salsaing soon.
“Dancing and modelling will always be my two greatest loves and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds once lockdown eases and the fashion industry picks up.”
Rosalynd Ramage, of Colours, said: “Peter is one of Scotland’s most in-demand male models.
His incredible dance background sets him apart. When it comes to action shots, he is a photographer’s dream.”
I’ve modelled all over world but Scotland is most friendly place to work