THIS week I caught the tube with Sam Tautua – a professional Aussie/Samoan model.
All the way from Sydney he now calls London home and just like all of us – he is working on marking his stamp on our home away from home.
Sam, 35, has been modelling for two years and has already accomplished some pretty cool things! He was also the face of Australian Tourism and was featured in a poster that was up in various Tube stations around London. This was definitely the winner for me because clearly he is Tube worthy!
While many people may have thought that the Olympics was the biggest show that London put on this year – for you non-fashionistas out there – it was, in fact, London Fashion week!
Sam, who is very grateful and feels blessed to be an international runway model, told me that modelling definitely has a different set of exciting challenges.
“When you start modelling at mid-age – and being the first Aussie/Samoan to hit London runways — (it) is just a blessing. I believe if you can dream it and grow yourself into the person people want to do business with, you can do anything!”
I asked Sam if, just like me, he takes in all the different fashion that the Tube has to offer us on a daily basis and he agrees that every day is different and you can see everything and anything.
In fact he believes the Tube is a great stage for self-expression. One of the most wackiest bits of fashion he once saw on the Tube was a girl with an apple and banana pinned and wrapped to her head, sporting a Gucci hand bag.
I gathered Sam would have a different mindset when looking at all the wonderful and sometimes kooky creatures that we commute with, when he told me other people’s ideas inspire him and he enjoys seeing people from all walks of life from around the world and their interpretation of fashion.
Ok, confession… more so for me — the Tube also teaches us what NOT to wear!
I was surprised to hear that the Tube was an easy way of Sam getting to his various photo shoots and auditions.
“I strut wherever I walk. I have travelled extensively around the world and I have to say the London Tube is the best thing going. So easy to navigate and get around. I always turn up for my shoots and castings well before time.”
Question Time with Tube man Sam
So Sam, weirdest things you have heard on the Tube?
A cute little old lady rapping what I think could be a church song.
The Tube is like…?
A hot runway maze!
When I am on the Tube I like to?
Check out what everyone looks like, is wearing, doing, listening to, meditate, breathe and listen to Dr John Demartini on my audio – seriously!
One thing you would improve about the London underground?
More spotlights! And maybe red carpets everywhere? Just for those who might want to strut to the office and back? Imagine that, great start and ending to ones day!
Well, we might not have got the most medals in the Olympics but hold onto your hats Aussies — because we are taking over, one runway (and Tube platform) at a time!
