A bar worker who was spotted by a modelling scout while dining at a Bold Street café now works as a successful model.
Patrick Cummins, 25, was at popular city centre haunt Leaf in September 2021 when he was approached by a scout from D1 Model Management. Initially feeling sceptical, Patrick was only convinced the encounter was genuine after exchanging several emails with the scout.
Since then, he's worked with fashion titans at Paris and Amsterdam Fashion Weeks, even walking for French luxury brand, Celine, for both its fall/winter 2022 and spring/summer 2023 shows in Paris.
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The bar worker and musician never had any aspirations or desire to become a model but is keen to "go with the punches". Speaking to the ECHO, Patrick, who's originally from Ellesmere Port, said: "It was so surreal - it's not something I was working towards, it just sort of happened so I'm going with the punches, I guess.
"[The modelling scout] came up to me in Leaf and I was a bit sceptical but she gave me her email and stuff, and we sent a few emails back and forth and then they decided to sign me. It never even crossed my mind to model before."
Patrick has always had a vested interest in creative expression - he wanted to be a musician, developing an interest in music as a young child before going on to make his own music alongside his band, The DSM IV.
He said: "We had loads of gigs last year and this year, we'll be putting our album out and there'll be tours and festivals off the back of that. Fingers crossed it all goes well and I can keep doing it.
"I've always been a keen musician, I've been playing since I was 13 and it's always been a dream, so it's great to see that starting to materialise."
The prospect of modelling was daunting for the musician. During his first on-set booking, he was "terrified". Patrick said: "I didn't have any expectations - it was such an alien world for me to be walking into. I was terrified - then you quickly get to learn that all the other models are feeling the exact same.
"I was given loads of advice and tips on how to walk - I never even thought about how I walked or that I might be walking wrong, so it took some learning to get it right. It doesn't help that they make you do it in two inch heels as well."
Of the reality of modelling, Patrick explained: "It's mental, it's really fun and it's great but it can be quite draining when you're on set for a full day. It's quite glamorous, and you're well looked after - your hotels are paid for, you get whatever you want from Deliveroo for your meals."
He's also been able to rub shoulders with celebrities at swanky after parties, meeting Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, "all the BTS lot", and Thomas Brodie-Sangster of Love Actually and The Queen's Gambit fame. Patrick said: "It's surreal, isn't it? I don't know when or if I'm ever going to get to do these things again, so you've got to make the most of it and go over and chat with people."
Patrick's friends and family have been incredibly supportive of his modelling endeavours, with both his mum and girlfriend helping him shoot images for castings, and photos for his agency. He said: "My parents have always said I should be a model, to be fair. They've always been really supportive - my mum and my girlfriend always take my pictures for me to send off to the agency. Everyone has been really supportive."
He added: "I'm just taking it as it comes - hopefully I get a few more years and Fashion Weeks out of it but even if I never get to do any of it again, I've had a really good run."
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