NEW ERA with : JEREMIAH BERKO
Photographed by Nick Scaife. Styled by Marina German. Words by Charlie Newman.
2020 will be a year that marks the history books for many reasons. We are experiencing a pandemic of historic standards whilst simultaneously writing new history books for the future, welcoming diversity and equality for all. For the majority of us work has been a write off this year but nevertheless our minds have still been challenged and expanded. Covid-19 has demanded we pause to think on what really matters and the Black Lives Matter movement has forced us to question and examine how we live our lives, paving a way for a new and improved future. Cover image credit: Coat by Zenosyne.
You’ve been modelling for 1 year and 9 months. What has been a career highlight?
My Dior campaign after my first season.
What do you enjoy about modelling the most?
Travelling.
Travel comes hand in hand with working in fashion. Where has been your favourite place to travel to? What would you recommend our readers do/see/eat there?
The best place I’ve been to through modelling has probably been Tanger and Marrakech, in Morocco.
If you weren’t modelling what would you be doing?
I would just be in school.
Where and you have you been quarantining with?
In London with my family.
If you could choose one famous person to quarantine with, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Cristiano Ronaldo to give me tips on a workout routine.
It’s very easy to get bogged down with the negatives of Covid-19, but what positives have you taken from this period?
That it is so important to know how to spend time alone because you’re the only person you’re going to have to deal with every day in your life. Working out and meditation helped me.
Lockdown has afforded us the time to pause and reflect. What have you learnt about yourself over the past few months?
That I could sleep all day long.
What are you most looking forward to post lockdown?
So many events took place during the lockdown, I hope the “normal” we get back to is going to be a bit more normal. Oh! and also getting back to travelling freely.
Only 9% of people would like to return to their former lives pre lockdown pre lockdown. What changes would you like to put in place in your life post lockdown?
Discipline in working out and meditation.
On the topic of change, the Black Lives Matter movement is rightly changing the world one march and petition at a time. It’s been couple of weeks with a lot to process. How does this make you feel?
It certainly appreciated the world coming together for one objective. However, this has always been going on and now it is the time to understand that the issue stays and we must fight for it to end tomorrow too.
The fashion industry may be celebrating diversity but its still has along way to go. From your own experience and knowledge, where would you like the industry to improve and change for the better?
More black people making decisions, more in power.
Whilst the BAME models are gracing covers and campaigns worldwide, behind the camera this isn’t necessarily the case. Are there any BAME creatives you would to shout out and share with us?
There are too many BAME models/designer/creatives in the industry that are underrated for me to even mention any. But just keep an eye on us, we are here to stay.
Often the best way to implement change is through educating ourselves and inspiring others. Do you have any stories or people you would like to share with our readers?
Alpha Dia is a person that I respect a lot in the industry. He implements change continuously in the industry. He also founded a charity organization which is already having so much success.
Jeremiah appears courtesy of Supa Model Management.
