Photography by Sarosh Mir
Richard Senkbile
~Male Model~
~Male Model~
By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/CEO
Copa: Where are you from?
Richard: I am originally from Central City, Nebraska which is a very rural town 2 hours West of Omaha. I grew up on a farm in that town.
Richard: I am originally from Central City, Nebraska which is a very rural town 2 hours West of Omaha. I grew up on a farm in that town.
Copa: What schools have you attended?
Richard: I graduated from Central City High school in 1984 and then went on to join the Army and graduated from Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in 1985. I then went on to Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and graduated in 1997. I have taken several courses throughout my career and life at both the University of Maryland and the University of Phoenix with a concentration on business management.
Richard: I graduated from Central City High school in 1984 and then went on to join the Army and graduated from Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina in 1985. I then went on to Warrant Officer Candidate School at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and graduated in 1997. I have taken several courses throughout my career and life at both the University of Maryland and the University of Phoenix with a concentration on business management.
Copa: How does a guy from Nebraska end up in the Washington, DC area?
Richard: My Army career brought me to the Washington, DC area in 2005 while I was still on active duty. I was assigned to the Headquarters Department of the Army in the Pentagon in 2005 where I served until I retired in 2007 after serving a total of 21 years on active duty. It is there where I continued to serve as a Federal Government employee providing support to the soldiers serving around World, defending this great Nation.
Richard: My Army career brought me to the Washington, DC area in 2005 while I was still on active duty. I was assigned to the Headquarters Department of the Army in the Pentagon in 2005 where I served until I retired in 2007 after serving a total of 21 years on active duty. It is there where I continued to serve as a Federal Government employee providing support to the soldiers serving around World, defending this great Nation.
Copa: When did you develop an interest in fashion?
Richard: If you were to ask high school classmates of mine, they would tell you that I have always dressed differently and fashionably relative to where I grew up. However, it was not until the last 4 years that I took the step out on Faith and out of my comfort zone of wearing conservative, stylish clothing to wearing fashion - forward clothing.
Richard: If you were to ask high school classmates of mine, they would tell you that I have always dressed differently and fashionably relative to where I grew up. However, it was not until the last 4 years that I took the step out on Faith and out of my comfort zone of wearing conservative, stylish clothing to wearing fashion - forward clothing.
Photography by Cartlon Hart
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Copa: At what time did you wish to become a Male Model in the fashion industry?
Richard: At the age of 49, I took a journey as a men's physique competitor on a bodybuilding competition stage which ended with my very first fitness/fashion photo shoot. The response to those photos, my Christian Faith, along with the support and push from a very good friend of mine, Patricia Watts, helped me make my decision to become a Male model in 2016 at the age of 50. The journey to both the bodybuilding competition stage and to the runway were both inspired by an older brother, Robert Senkbile who died in December of 2002. Robert and I acted at a local dinner theater stage in Grand Island, Nebraska and he had always wanted to do something big in New York City. When I hit the runway in September of 2017 in my first show in the "Big Apple" it was a statement and a dream that I was living not only for myself but for him as well. Copa: Who are your favorite top 2 Male Models?
Richard: Josh Duhamel who is from Minot, North Dakota. One of my favorites probably because of the fact he grew up in the midwest and is an inspiration to others in areas of the World to break into the industry when you dont live in an area of the World known for models or actors. He is now an actor after getting his start as a model and that is something that I aspire to do as well. He has a very similar style to mine and is also an older gentlemen. Anthony Varrecchia probably because he is an older, distinguished man (over 50) who is a fitness trainer. Most guys at my age in this industry are into fitness as well as fashion! |
Copa: Do you feel that there’s a large difference in how male and female models are presented in the fashion industry as far as models are concerned?
Richard: Yes I do believe that there is a large difference in how male and female models are presented in the fashion industry from the perspective of a model. And that's all situational dependent upon with the designer and the producer how the male and females are presented. |
Copa: We’ve noticed that in the past 10 years we see more male models over 50. What would be your explanation?
Richard: My explanation for males over 50 being models would be that there is a serious market for over 50 male models. Designers wanting target a market with expendable income is why I believe a lot more over 50 males are in modeling. |
Copa: Richard, what is your philosophy on the fashion industry in general? Also, do you believe there is a big difference in the expression of style in New York as opposed to Washington, DC?
Richard: My thought on the philosophical aspect of fashion it is one's way of expressing themselves through the art of fashion! This expression could be tied to a personal experience which could drive the designer to make the decisions that they make in the colors of their designs, to the fabric or it could be as simple as the audience that the designer is targeting. Obviously, the expression of style in DC is very different than it is in NYC. NYC is the fashion capital of the world so the designers are going to target the world and have a lot more ability to express themselves whereas the style here in DC is more business like and not as fashion forward as you will find or see in NYC.
Richard: My thought on the philosophical aspect of fashion it is one's way of expressing themselves through the art of fashion! This expression could be tied to a personal experience which could drive the designer to make the decisions that they make in the colors of their designs, to the fabric or it could be as simple as the audience that the designer is targeting. Obviously, the expression of style in DC is very different than it is in NYC. NYC is the fashion capital of the world so the designers are going to target the world and have a lot more ability to express themselves whereas the style here in DC is more business like and not as fashion forward as you will find or see in NYC.
Copa: Please share some of your experiences on the runway and with photo-shoots.
Richard: My experiences on runways and photo shoots have been amazing! First of all, the relationships I have been able to build with photographers, designers, producers, and of course fellow models have been very rewarding. Like anything, it is the people that I love the most and those relationships that continue to grow over time that brings the most joy in this industry! Real and deeper relationships, ones that turn into longer lasting!
I have gone from photo shoots in frigid temperatures to the extreme heat, in the gym, to a shoot on the beaches of San Diego California which reminded me of some of the scenes from Baywatch! All extremely fun experiences and at times challenging! My first runway experience was walking for one of my favorite childhood actors of mine, Tim Reid in Richmond Virginia in the Spring Fashion show he does there. Some of you know him from "WKRP in Cincinnati" and some may know him from his role in "Sister, Sister." And then of course, producer Ron Cooke, is amazing along with Chelle Handford-Evans! They are wonderful people both on and off the runway. Their love for the industry is impeccable and both very respected as well. The first show for me in NYC was surreal and spectacular. To be able to walk in NYC on a yacht on the Hudson River for a young and upcoming designer, Jude Charles was the experience of a lifetime. This farm boy from Nebraska now doing a runway show in the Hudson River in NYC, please take a moment to let that visual sink in. In the end, I love the people and building the relationships and bonds I have been able to build and continue to build with everyone in the industry and would like to personally thank everyone for their love and support along this journey! It takes a team!
Copa: What does the future hold for Richard Senkbile and his world of fashion and style?
Richard: I will continue to maintain my fashion forward mind and look. I will continue to push the edge or the boundary or box everyone wants to put a 50 year old Male in to. Taking my look to the edge is what I am looking forward to in 2019 and beyond.
Also I will continue to pursue more in the performing arts industry as an actor or in the commercial print industry as well as runway modeling.
The sky is the limit for this over 50 year old Male who enjoys life and lives it to it's fullest!
Last year, my mother got her wings and joined my Father and brother in Heaven. She was an amazing woman and a very strong woman, one who I loved to share my runway experiences with and one who loved her six boys to the moon and back and i wanted to thank her for that love publicly!
One last thought, thanks be to God for introducing me to this journey and the people on this journey.
Richard: My experiences on runways and photo shoots have been amazing! First of all, the relationships I have been able to build with photographers, designers, producers, and of course fellow models have been very rewarding. Like anything, it is the people that I love the most and those relationships that continue to grow over time that brings the most joy in this industry! Real and deeper relationships, ones that turn into longer lasting!
I have gone from photo shoots in frigid temperatures to the extreme heat, in the gym, to a shoot on the beaches of San Diego California which reminded me of some of the scenes from Baywatch! All extremely fun experiences and at times challenging! My first runway experience was walking for one of my favorite childhood actors of mine, Tim Reid in Richmond Virginia in the Spring Fashion show he does there. Some of you know him from "WKRP in Cincinnati" and some may know him from his role in "Sister, Sister." And then of course, producer Ron Cooke, is amazing along with Chelle Handford-Evans! They are wonderful people both on and off the runway. Their love for the industry is impeccable and both very respected as well. The first show for me in NYC was surreal and spectacular. To be able to walk in NYC on a yacht on the Hudson River for a young and upcoming designer, Jude Charles was the experience of a lifetime. This farm boy from Nebraska now doing a runway show in the Hudson River in NYC, please take a moment to let that visual sink in. In the end, I love the people and building the relationships and bonds I have been able to build and continue to build with everyone in the industry and would like to personally thank everyone for their love and support along this journey! It takes a team!
Copa: What does the future hold for Richard Senkbile and his world of fashion and style?
Richard: I will continue to maintain my fashion forward mind and look. I will continue to push the edge or the boundary or box everyone wants to put a 50 year old Male in to. Taking my look to the edge is what I am looking forward to in 2019 and beyond.
Also I will continue to pursue more in the performing arts industry as an actor or in the commercial print industry as well as runway modeling.
The sky is the limit for this over 50 year old Male who enjoys life and lives it to it's fullest!
Last year, my mother got her wings and joined my Father and brother in Heaven. She was an amazing woman and a very strong woman, one who I loved to share my runway experiences with and one who loved her six boys to the moon and back and i wanted to thank her for that love publicly!
One last thought, thanks be to God for introducing me to this journey and the people on this journey.
Photography by Costa Kirkwood
~Copa