Engineering a Model

Moving to New York City to sign with Storm Models Management to become a model
2 semesters away from getting his Master in Industrial Engineering
may not seem to be the smartest thing to do at the time,
but it was the best decision of his life.


At first, Art was very reluctant to move to NYC to begin modeling.  He never thought of himself as a model and not sure if he can succeed.  It was his adopted mother, Linda Purdy, who convinced him to go. She told him that it's an opportunity of a lifetime and it does not happen to everybody.  WIth his mom blessing and support,  Art moved to NYC in March of 1994 to begin working as a male model with an exclusive contract with Storm Models Management.











After moving around from friends to friends, Art finally found a permanent residence on Sullivan St. in Soho sharing an apartment with his friend David Rodgers.  

David is a photographer but to pay bills, he worked as a B&W photograph toner at the famous Lexingtion Lab on 23st  street.  He toned fashion photos for so many famous photographers like Bruce Webber and Herb Ritts.   Some of Art's bestphotos were photographed and toned by David like this one (above)  called  'My Grandmother's Couch.'

Art Supawatt Purdy 'My life in NYC' photographed by David Rodgers
Art Supawatt Purdy 'Cloister Afternoon' photographed by David Rodgers
Art Supawatt Purdy 'Madonna's Erotica inspired B&W' photographed by David Rodgers

More of Art: photographed and toned at Lextngton Lab by David Rodgers (from left) Editorial in Sport Style Magazine 'The Naturals', 'New York City Boy', 'CloisterAfternoon',and Madonna's Erotica Inspired B&W 'Another Suitcase in Another Hall'

 
 

GIVENCHY

Vogue

(Germany)


Location:

Central Park,

NYC

July, 1995

Art Supawatt Purdy




Aside from modeling, Art also worked as a freelance database designer during his time in NYC.  His clients includes companies such as Drury Design Dynamics and Lexington Lab.

All and all, Art's experience working as a model in NYC was a pleasant one.  Storm Model Management kept him busy going on go-sees and casting with moderate booking each month.  

One particular job that stood out and made Art especially proud to be a part of was the GIVENCHY Ad for German Vogue, July 1995 (above). When Ask about his time in NYC, Art always say 'it was the best time of his life' and being in Vogue was the proudest moment working as a model in NYC. 


After receiving news from his model friend Zack Hankins about many modeling job opportunity in Bangkok, and wanting to closer to his two great aunts,  Art decided to move to Thailand in 1996.  It proved to be the best move  once again for Art.  Unbeknownst to him at the time, this move was to be the move that would change his life beyond his wildest dream.

Thanks to his unique look, muscular body with six pack stomach and being fluent in Thai, Art received a warm welcome into the Thai Fashion World and a  steady stream of work in fashion editorials, fashion shows, print ads and commercials. 

His first fashion editorial in Thailand was for the August issue of Dichan Magazine.  Modeling Dirk Bikemberg latest collection for Axil, Sukhumvit 39, Art was a big hit in his debute effort working as a model in Thailand.


Art Supawatt Purdy ศุภวัฒน์ อ่ำประสิทธิ์ in Dirk Bikkembergs Collection in Dichan Magazine
Art Supawatt Purdy ศุภวัฒน์ อ่ำประสิทธิ์ in Dirk Bikkembergs Collection in Dichan Magazine
Art Supawatt Purdy ศุภวัฒน์ อ่ำประสิทธิ์ in Dirk Bikkembergs Collection in Dichan Magazine

 

Art Supawatt Purdy ศุภวัฒน์ อ่ำประสิทธิ์ Modeling in Dichan Magazine
Art Supawatt Purdy ศุภวัฒน์ อ่ำประสิทธิ์ in Dirk Bikkembergs Collection in Dichan Magazine

         ART!

  in his first fashion editorial in thailand for

     AXIL's
DirkBikkembergs
      Summer'95                Collection

 August Issue of

  DichanMagazine




Art Supawatt Purdy ศุภวัฒน์ อ่ำประสิทธิ์ in Dirk Bikkembergs Collection in Dichan Magazine
Art Supawatt Purdy ศุภวัฒน์ อ่ำประสิทธิ์ in Dirk Bikkembergs Collection in Dichan Magazine

Everybody wanted to know more about the handsome caucasian muscular model with a Thai name.  Art decided to use his childhood name Supawatt Aumprasit as his stage name because even though he does not look anything like a Thai person, but he is Thai through and through and proud of it.

The Dirk Bikemberg editorial in Dichan magazine launched Art's modeling career beautifully, giving him the exposure he needed to succeed working in Thailand.   Soon after, many calls started to pour in for commercials, fashion shows and fashion editorials.   That first year, Art was in high demand, appearing on the pages of all the major fashion magazines of the day like Image, Preow and Praew Sudsubda, just to name a few.   

Art Supawatt Purdy Simply the Best - Image Magazine
 
ImageMagazine

       1996                        SUMMERMEN  SWIMSUITSISSUE

             

           Phuket Thailand


Art Supawatt Purdy - Image Magazine
Art Supawatt Purdy - Image Magazine
Art Supawatt Purdy - Image Magazine
Art Supawatt Purdy - Image Magazine  Swimsuit Issue 1996