Shining Star
INTERVIEW BY VISUAL TALES
January 2022
Talent: Cade Dalton | VNY Models
Photographer: Henry Lou
Styling: John Tan for Visual Tales
Grooming: Roberto Di Cuia | L'Atelier NYC using Chanel Cosmetics and Oribe Hair Products
Visual Tales talk with VNY Models' newest star, Cade Dalton, about his path to the world of modeling, what defines beauty in his eyes, his experiences so far and how he would like to envision his future.
Sequined turtleneck pullover, hooded leather/mesh zipper jacket, leather skinny trouser, leather belt with metal buckle and western style leather boots, all by CELINE by HEDI SLIMANE
Blubird peak lapel two button coat, cashmere crewneck sweater and hopdart flood length check trouser, all by TED BAKER; leather laceup boots by ALL SAINTS
Blurred floral print shirt by TED BAKER; metal chain necklace by SAINT LAURENT by ANTHONY VACCARELLO, cross earring, CADE's own
Spiral zip jacket and trouser and slim tread boot, all by ALEXANDER McQUEEN, tank t-shirt by RAPHAEL, metal chain necklace by SAINT LAURENT by ANTHONY VACCARELLO, cross earring, CADE's own
Visual Tales: Your mom, Meghan Douglas, was a world renowned model of the runway and print of the 90's, did her career inspired you and your brother (Lander) to pursue the same route? What advise have she given you? On a personal note, what attract you in wanting to pursue a path in modeling?
Cade Dalton: Through the course of my life, my mom would tell us all her stories from her modeling days. Hearing all her stories was definitely cool cause I just saw her as my “mom” and never really Meghan Douglas. Her career definitely inspired me because it’s clear to see there is a life in the modeling world, and then a personal life where you can sit back and relax. More importantly though, I decided to start modeling as a way to grow confidence and expression. Being able to throw on any different kinds of clothing or accessories and finding a way to make them look perfect has always been my goal. Creating an image for the clothes has been something I have been able to learn and I hope to continue learning.
VT: What are some of your own personal interest that you would like to pursue in the future?
CD: I’m personally very interested in real estate development. While in my younger years, I was interested in basketball, I found that basketball will always be there as a hobby. While I continue to grow, I would like to be able to build and create houses in my image that really exemplify who I am as a person and what qualities I like. Through modeling and real estate, personality always finds a way to shine through, even in the simplest photos or homes.
VT: More and more, everyone can express or judge an individual with or without knowing them. They could like or dislike someone just by clicking at the latest imagery. It is interesting, cause modeling in some ways is creating an visual illusion. It doesn’t represent what the subject is really about. What’s your take on it?
CD: While I do agree that modeling is a visual illusion, I tend to disagree to an extent. Modeling as I stated before shows personality, especially through your eyes. While it is an illusion when somebody shows lifelessness and lack of expression, it is very easy to capture complexity through the idea of eyes. While looking at latest imagery, I feel most people focus on seriousness and what somebody is wearing versus how somebody feels when wearing those pieces.
VT: You are signed with VNY, a great modeling management that represents models that are known for luxury and style. How did that came about? What goals would you like to achieve through modeling?
CD: While searching for modeling agents, I talked to one of my friends, Justin Campbell, who is the photographer for his own magazine “Tings.” While searching for agencies, I saw VNY come up especially with all their prestige in the male modeling sector. Justin got me in touch with Lana Winters, the CEO, and I went in to meet with her. From there on, Lana and I clicked and she has been like a second mother to me in the modeling world. I want to just reach for the skies, hoping to work as much as possible and meet a lot of interesting people. I don't really have a set goal, what happens, happens. The only thing I hope for is that I do my best and my passion is seen.
Blubird peak lapel two button coat, cashmere crewneck sweater and hopdart flood length check trouser, all by TED BAKER; leather laceup boots by ALL SAINTS
Trench coat, trouser and customized tank t-shirt, all by SONGZIO, sunglasses and leather belt with metal buckle, both by CELINE by HEDI SLIMANE, leather laceup boots by ALL SAINTS, backpack by spire laptop backpack 2.0 by TIMBUK2
Green sweater/yellow tank Brokhol mixed stitch crew neck sweater by TED BAKER; customized tank t-shirt by SONGZIO
Brokhol mixed stitch crew neck sweater, dark navy denim mid wash jean and woven belt, all by TED BAKER; customized braided crotchet artwork, stylist's own, cross earring, CADE's own
Sequined turtleneck pullover, hooded leather/mesh zipper jacket, leather skinny trouser, leather belt with metal buckle and western style leather boots, all by CELINE by HEDI SLIMANE
VT: From the moment you arrived on set, we can witnessed that your love of fashion. Share with us your personal style. Who are some of your favorite brands that you gravitate towards and why?
CD: I truly do love fashion. I always have on some jewelry or shoes. I usually tend to keep simplistic pants or jeans and a shirt, but always with some cool accessories and shoes. Sometimes I will break that standard for myself and throw on some cooler clothes but I always like to stay calm and let my jewelry and the shoes express my style. Some of my favorite brand names are Celine by Hedi Slimane, Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello, Alexander McQueen, and Chrome Hearts. I do love switching it up sometimes though with leathers with Louis Vuitton and some Dior Men shoes. I find these personally suit my street style. I do like to thrift sometimes though and always like to wear some old classic jeans and sweaters.
VT: Describe a perfect day for you?
CD: My perfect day would include waking up, cooking some breakfast and drinking a coffee. From there I like to drive around and capture some of the day. Of course, anything from there is just extra that I’m fortunate to have. A nice dinner and some friends to talk to and share some laughs always can complete my day.
VT: As a representative of a new generation of models heading towards 2022, knowing what you know, having your mom and VNY as your mentors, how would you like models like yourself, the modeling industry evolve going forward?
CD: I think the one thing I wish for in the modeling industry and for models like myself is to create much more personality in clothes. I think some current fashion is sticking too safe routes and have not really decided to break what people think of fashion. One of the things my mom said when I first started was “don’t be afraid to look stupid by trying new things.” While some things are always going to be accepted as cool, there are always one or two different pieces from collections that really stick out and show differentiation in brands and models that really appeal to the industry.
VT: Everyone have their own personal account as to how Covid affected them, what’s yours like?
CD: Fortunately I was never really affected by Covid. I was able to keep safe with my family and really spend time with them as most of my siblings are out of the house and working. Being back with my family was a blessing amongst all the horrible things Covid created. Perhaps the only thing affected by Covid was my signing with VNY Models. I signed a couple of months into Covid so trying to really get things going was tough because it seemed all of my jobs were canceled because of positive testings and travel bans. It was tough joining the industry and not seeing success at first, but it allowed me to develop as a model and really become comfortable working with people and new clothes as I got more and more experience doing editorials.
Sequined turtleneck pullover, hooded leather/mesh zipper jacket, leather skinny trouser, leather belt with metal buckle and western style leather boots, all by CELINE by HEDI SLIMANE
VT: What defines beauty, in your eyes?
CD: Beauty is not really a set standard in my eyes. I think the one thing that contributes heavily to beauty in my mind is happiness. If somebody is happy, they give off an aura that shows their beauty. Their skin begins to glow and their eyes have slight sparkles that create an idea of why even some of the most standard beautiful people in the world don’t truly capture beauty. Beauty is in the mind and the soul. Outer beauty and gorgeous people have temporary beauty, while people with happiness who are full of life live their entire life with their beauty even til they die.
VT: We all have individuals we look up to or aspires to be, who is that individual for you?
CD: One person I truly look up to is my father. While he was young, his father died and he was there to comfort his mother emotionally and fiscally. He created a perception in my head growing up that the most important thing in life is taking care of those who you truly care about. He, along with my mom, have been able to provide me with a life that I am truly blessed to have. Seeing all he does for me, I want to do the same with my kids and my grandchildren to make sure they live the best life I can give them.
VT: If there is a song that kind of sum up who you are and what you are about, which song will that be and why?
CD: I’d say the one song that truly describes the inner me is “Catch and Release” by Matt Simons. The song talks about escaping the outer world and finding peace within his own mind. I find that more recently I have been able to really expand my comfort zone by finding myself and letting go of all the troubles of the day. The song describes that life can be terrifying but there's always a way to get over things. I think the deepest thing that describes me is the idea of hard times being conquered by myself and my mind. While others can try to help, the only way to really get over things is mental fortitude and happiness that shines through when realizing blessings in life rather than the curses.
Special thanks to:
Model Cade Dalton, Lana Winters at VNY Models, Henry Lou, Roberto Di Cuia; Ashley Jacobs, Lilian Bard and Sophie Andreesen at Celine, Michael Macko and Nina Baltussen at Alexander McQueen, Xavier Thurston at Ritual Projects, Donte Wild and Asia Swift at Ted Baker, The team at Songzio, Korea, Valerie Samson Henry at Noted Los Angeles, Malena Holcomb at L'Atelier NYC.
Shining Star