Damien Van Zyl
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Damien Van Zyl (born April 26, 1978 in Kimberley, South Africa) is a male model. He was first discovered in 1997 at a nightclub in Cape Town before moving to Milan and signing with Why Not Models, a modeling agency. This first foray into modeling did not work out for him, so he became a photographer's assistant instead. He later joined Q in New York, but was dropped by the agency shortly after arriving in New York. Looking in New York for more routes into the modeling business, he ended up working in construction for a while, at a restaurant in Chelsea, then at other jobs in the fashion industry. Growing tired of this work, he returned to South Africa for a year and a half. When he returned once again to the world of modeling, with his blue eyes and long, dark blond hair, he made the cover of Italian Vogue.
In 2001 Van Zyl became Calvin Klein's model of the moment, opening and closing the runway for his Autumn collection. Since then he's been one of the most recognized male models in the fashion industry, representing the manly male. When he finally he, he hit big doing major campaigns for GAP, Hilfigger and many others. He is currently represented by Elite Model Management of New York.
Van Zyl dated Elizabeth Jagger but it didn't end well, with rumours about a violent relationship and cheating.
Van Zyl has expressed interest in becoming a photographer or an actor.
Excerpt from Damien's MySpace:
"Most know me from the so-called "relationship" I had with Mick Jagger's daughter, Elizabeth Jagger. There was no relationship. I was born in Kimberley, South Africa on April 28th. I became interested in modeling in 1998, working as a photographers assistant in Cape Town, South Africa. I finally left the African continent and moved out to New York to pursue modeling. I was spotted by Q Models, and was hired. They treated me like shit, I'm afraid. To pay the bills, I painted shops, helped arrange social gatherings, and even nailed together the very same walkways I walked on for Q Models. Looking back, I'd consider myself a wild child. I grew up in the middle of nowhere, and I had to get my thrills somehow. Stealing cars, things like that. I was rebellious. Now, I've mellowed at. I wouldn't at all consider myself stuck-up like the stereotypical model. And yes, I have brains. I've done numerous campaigns for loads of designers, some including Calvin Klein, Versace, Kenneth Cole, Tommy Hilfiger, Yves St. Laurent and Joop, and many others. I was named the 35th biggest model of our time by some magazine. I forget which. I don't really think it matters. I'm still myself. And no one still knows who I am, heh. My love life. Ah, what a topic. I'm not with anyone. I'm single. Yes. Call me. Kidding of course. Anyway, I'm going to just tell it like it is. I'm bisexual. Deal with it. I lean more towards the gentlemen, too."
