Interview by Vassilios Nicolaos Vitsilogiannis

(IG: @vassiliosvitsilogiannis)

Nektarios Kirkopoulos is a distinguished international Greek male model known for his impressive presence in the global fashion industry. Born and raised in Germany to immigrant parents, he was discovered by a New York scout while vacationing in Mykonos, launching a career that has spanned over seventeen years and included major campaigns, editorials and collaborations with top designers, particularly in markets such as China and India. Standing at 1.88 meters with brown hair and beautiful eyes, Kirkopoulos is recognized for his professionalism, adaptability and athletic style, maintaining a strong personal brand and values throughout his journey. His story reflects not only success on runways and in campaigns but also a deep appreciation for the cultural experiences and connections modeling has brought into his life.

How did your involvement with modeling begin, and how did you feel when you were discovered by a scout, given that you initially didn’t want to enter the industry?
Things were completely different when I started, I began without even realizing it. Before I knew it, I had already been working for several years without being fully aware of it. One job led to another, one opportunity followed the next, and time went by. In the end, I’m very happy with the path I’ve taken. Ultimately, everything turned out well, and I’m still going strong.

What were the biggest challenges you faced as an international model, and how did you overcome them?
These days, the biggest challenge for me, believe it or not, is loneliness. I miss Greece more and more as time goes on. That, I would say, is the greatest and perhaps only real challenge for me. I’ve missed so many summers in Greece. Just last year, for example, I was away for ten consecutive months.

Is there a particular international campaign or trip that has stayed with you, and why?
What has truly stayed with me to this day is my collaboration with Kaurie Khan. On the second day after arriving in India, I was at her home, a five-story tower, without knowing who she was. It was a fantastic experience, and only afterward did I learn who she really is: the “Iron Lady” of Bollywood, the biggest producer there and wife of Shah Rukh Khan.
Also, ten years ago, I had an unforgettable collaboration with Maria Grazia Chiuri. Thanks to her, after many days, I was finally able to enjoy a decent espresso in Shanghai and eat a somewhat respectable European meal. She and her entire team were very kind and professional. We worked together twice, so that’s another memory I hold dear.
I also really enjoyed the campaign I did for my very good friend and talented designer Nadia Douka in Vietnam. That was an unforgettable trip and a wonderful experience, being photographed for a close friend in such an exotic location, wearing clothes I love. And thanks to that campaign, I received a lot of great exposure.

How important was Instagram to you as a professional portfolio, and how did it affect you to lose your account with 145,000 followers?
Instagram was like my digital diary. I had all my memories, all my contacts with photographers, friends, models, agencies and connections I lost. Everything I had experienced over so many years was stored there. And those moments won’t happen again, even if I return to India, the situations and conditions will never be the same.
I was one of the first people to use Instagram, so I had a lot of posts. It was a strictly professional account, featuring only professional photos. It was my portfolio. It had contacts, notes…I didn’t do any commercial promotions through that account and kept a clean, professional profile. Losing it really affected me. But what can you do? These things happen. I’m moving on.

How important are contacts with top agencies and photographers in advancing your career?
A manager, a scout, and a good agency definitely play a key role, and they’re not easy to come by, so they’re very important. They helped me a lot. But also, I’m an efficient professional; I’m diligent. It’s a combination of factors that help build a successful career.
Through modeling, my self-confidence and assertiveness grew. I learned to manage things and situations on my own, to be bold, to make decisions. I traveled the world and experienced different cultures. It’s completely different to visit a place as a tourist than it is to live and work there.

Which aspects of your personality do you feel have been strengthened through your modeling career?
I’d say my intelligence and insight. I always chose destinations where I was sure I would find work. They might have been tougher environments, but I played it safe by doing my homework.

How do you deal with disappointments or losses that come with your job?
This line of work moves at a crazy pace, so often there’s no time to dwell on these things. I was lucky that I was always working, so I didn’t have time to focus on the negatives. I was constantly busy with castings, so there was always something to do.

Do you believe models should act as role models for the younger generation? How do you handle that responsibility personally?
I believe everyone should be a role model. We are all examples to our children, nieces, nephews and those around us. We must be very careful, because we all have siblings, children, families, parents. So, we need to be responsible, consistent and good people. Everyone should function as a role model in their own way, in their own field, not just models.

What are your future goals in modeling or other areas of your career?
What matters most to me is staying healthy, having good people around me and continuing to travel the world. I’ve reached a point where I can choose the projects I want and I’m in a really good place. I have some plans, but I prefer to carry them out rather than talk about them. I prefer to act rather than speak. I’m very happy and right now I plan to rest and then return to work full force in the winter.

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in modeling, based on your own experience?
To invest in themselves however they can. To choose a very good agency. To not be afraid to take risks, to not get discouraged, to keep trying, to keep dreaming and to keep working hard.