Tao Caino: True Latin Sensuality

The ModelWatch Interview by Isabelle

Gustavo Fernandez Caino, better known simply as Tao, is at the top of his game. Every fashion savvy audience is aware of his undeniable runway prowess- putting many in a trance, with his sense of the dramatics. Not to mention his Latin sensuality! Towering at more than 6 feet, with gorgeously bronzed skin and a stare that could melt any lady’s heart!

- Tao on the runways for John Galliano, photo taken from firstview.com

The Galliano Homme Spring Summer 2005 showcases these talents at its best- convincing everyone that he is the ultimate Pirate! Dangerous, sexy, mysterious…

But Tao Caino is much more than a golden god of the runway. Modeling since he was ten years old, Tao finds being in front of the camera as comfortable as reading a well-loved novel. To him, it is second nature and one needs only to witness the piercing gaze that borders on the coy, and the smile that radiates unbridled confidence, to see Tao was made for this line of work…at least for now. Boasting a degree in graphic design and a fabulous personality behind the camera as well, Tao shows us that there is more to him than meets the eye.

Isabelle: Describe your first modeling experience. What was it like, where was it held?

Tao: I first started modeling when I was 10 years old in my hometown in Argentina, for small boutiques. For me it was an eye-opening experience, as I had never seen what goes on behind the scenes and I was so exited I was shaking when I was waiting to get my turn on the runway...

Isabelle: How were you discovered?

Tao: There was a small competition in Buenos Aires for a modeling contract that I entered. It was there that I met a photographer Martin Traynor, who was determined to get me exposure despite me having an “atypical” look being tall, skinny and having big lips - for that time in Argentina. So I started my modeling career in Argentina and quickly found myself working in Chile for campaign. At the same time, BANANAS from Paris was scouting for models in Buenos Aires where they came across photos of me, and that’s when I started working with Bananas...

Isabelle: Tell us your major modeling projects and your experiences doing them.

- Tao Caino for John Galliano

Tao: I try to enjoy and learn from all my work experience. I think of modeling as a job, so i try to meet my clients’ needs, given my professional responsibility. One of my major projects among others was working for John Galliano and his team, from whom I learned a lot.

Isabelle: What are the reactions of your family about modeling? Is this a factor that somehow influenced you over your professional choice?

Tao: Since the beginning, my family has been very supportive. Now they’re happy to see me doing what I like, because we never had the economic situation to go and travel around the world. So now they’re living a dream with me...

Isabelle: Would you mind sharing a funny or interesting story from a modeling job?

Tao: I did a show for Galliano in a circus during his first season for men. (click this link to see larger version of the photo)

We had to do a lot of things during the show. I was wearing cowboy boots and i had to climb up onto some high boxes in front of the cameras... Going up it was easy, but I realized coming down would be harder.

So I jumped off and i fell flat on my back because the floor it was slippery... To save the moment, I started dancing, still lying on the floor, and thank God no one realized I had screwed up.

continued...>>>