MANUEL RAUNER INTERNATIONAL MODEL

International Model Manuel Rauner

Manuel Rauner is an international model based in Vienna, and one of the masterminds behind Verdandy Fashion. But today we are not going to talk about Verdandy Fashion but about his career as a model. We talked to Manuel about how everything started for him in the fashion world.

Where were you born and what was your pre-model life like?

I was born and raised in the beautiful countryside in Burgenland. My field of interest has always been really broad from history, cultures to science and so I studied biotechnology that offered a huge range of possibilities afterward. After graduating I shortly worked in a Lab and also sold antibodies to hospitals and research facilities for several years.

How were you discovered?

Model scouts on the street asked me two times if I wanted to model and I didn’t take it seriously. Finally, another model agency contacted me and asked if I wanted to participate in the Mister Austria competition. And as a friend of mine also participated there I eventually said yes. I did it for the fun and I never thought about winning the competition but I did. This was how I got into touch with modeling.

When did you decide to become a model?

I never did modeling as the main job. For me, it is a quite unsteady lifestyle that forces one to do a lot of traveling. Adding to that is the uncertainty about how the future will look like. Therefore I decided to study, while also taking time outs to building up an international modeling career.

What has been one of your favorite career experiences so far?

There have been several ones but staring in a commercial campaign for Gucci was really great.

Did you have an interest in modeling or fashion before starting as a model?

For me and I think for most of the people the interest in fashion starts when you grow up. With my jeans and black leather jacket, I wanted to look as cool as James Dean to impress my crush back then.

What advice would you pass along to those starting out in the business?

I think it is very important to have a strong personality. Otherwise, the light will easily blind one. It is exciting to meet a lot of interesting people, to stand in the spotlights, to see different cultures and wonderful places all over the world, but it is also important and good to stay grounded.

You have become successful for many reasons what do you think the top few are?

As I said before – a strong personality, ambition, a positive mind and the ability to learn from your actions as every experience teaches you to improve.

What is the ultimate goal of your career?

To be able to look back at any stage of my life, to be grateful and satisfied. And that is exactly how I feel already about it.

Photo-credits: Michael Brus