The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Reporter

jgibson@tribunemedia.net


THE DOORS have opened for Bahamian model David Maycock to step onto the international modelling scene. The young model received his big break when he was recently contracted to work with the renowned Wilhelmina Modelling Agency in Philadelphia.


Before being signed to Wilhelmina Modelling Agency, David Dion as he is better known, received professional training, direction and management through PTG Marketing & Modelling Agency in 2011.


Now that he is signed with an international agency some of his bigger dreams to hit the runways of major fashion shows can be realised. However, the young model knows there is much more work to be done.
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“The industry is a little different from what I expected it to be. I used to think that once you get signed to a top agency like Wilhelmina your career will automatically take off but that is just the beginning. There is a lot of work you still have to put in. And all the glitz and glamour you see is just the end result of all that hard work. There is still a lack of models of colour so I think that challenge is still there. I had hoped that would not still have been an issue,” he told Tribune Entertainment.
David Dion has always been interested in pursuing a professional career in modelling and acting. In January 2011 he first auditioned with the PTG Bahamas Modelling Agency.

“Nothing really inspired me to pursue modelling as a career. I got into it totally by curiosity and I also was told that I look the part so I decided to give it a try. Modelling was not always a passion of mine. Acting and singing was my passion and still is but now also modelling. What I love most about modelling is the travelling, doing the photo shoots and all the interesting people I get to meet,” he said.


In October David Dion will work with New York Men’s Fashion Week and several other projects in New York. He has already done ad campaigns for New York designer Ray Vicente, and was featured in Fashion Avenue News Magazine NY.

“;I will not say it is difficult being a male model, you just have to know who you are and have your standard. Finding work is a challenge especially for a male model because it is a female dominant industry. One has to be persistent and prepared for when it comes and you just have to keep yourself out there to be seen,” he said.

“I have learned that modelling is not just about being handsome or beautiful. You have to know how to take great photos, walk the runway, be a good communicator, keep your body in great condition, and have a great personality. And it is not about you when you are modelling it is all about the product, you have to know how to make that product appealing to the buyer,” he told Tribune Entertainment.


While he enjoys modelling he hopes it will open the way for a transition to an acting career. So far, he has acted in three short films schedule to be released this year.
In the past David Dion participated in a number of runway shows including the award-winning Islands of the World Fashion Week and La Rose Boutique Fashion Show.
His print work (in magazines and advertisements) includes Brutha Magazine, Nu Women, Exiles Fashion Magazine, Stylezine, Bahamar, BTC and Eldamont Hand Bags.
He has also appeared in commercials for local companies including “Jewels by the Sea” and was a promotional model for BTC.
He has acted in the film ‘Passage’ by Kareem Mortimer, ‘The Dates’ by Zoe Film Picture and ‘Untouchable’ by Clouds Images Productions.
Last year he performed in several plays featured in “Theater in the Parks” event spearheaded by Leslie Vanderpool founder of the Bahamas International Film Festival.