Kayen

Star Sign: Sagittarius

Where are you from? Bourg-les-Valence in France 

Languages: French and English

Find me on Instagram: @kayen_rk 

Find me on TikTok: @kayen_rk

Any other socials? Snapchat: kayen08riou

When did you first want to become a model? Honestly, I never really thought about becoming a model until my mum convinced me to go to the casting in Lyon. The casting went well, but it was actually when I went to the agency in Paris and did my first test shoots that it clicked! Seeing how the whole process worked was the moment I realised this was something I actually wanted to pursue.

Who are your model or fashion heroes? I really like Mathieu Simoneau. I used to see him all over social media and I think his journey is incredibly inspiring. He worked hard to refine his look, build his own visibility online and hustle his way up. Now he’s one of the biggest models out there and made it into the prestigious Models.com Top 50!

What would it mean to win the contest? Winning would be an incredible milestone. It would open up lots of doors globally and give me a great head start in the industry. But even without the title, just getting this far and having the chance to learn from the best is already a win for me.

What Instagram accounts are you most obsessed with? I like triathlon and football accounts like @worldtriathlon or @433. I also follow modelling accounts such as @modelsdot, @stylenotcom and of course, @elite_paris, @elitemodellook and @elitemodelworld.

What are your hobbies and interests? Outside of modelling, I’m really into sports. I've been doing triathlons since I was 11 and absolutely love it. There’s nothing better than training hard with my friends and my brother, racing together and supporting each other on race day. When I’m not training, I love just hanging out with my friends because they make me laugh so much. Spending quality time with my family is also super important to me.

What's something most people would never guess about you? I have 3 nationalities: I was born in Hong Kong, my mother is American and my father is French.

Best piece of advice you have ever been given: Be yourself and never give up.

Describe your personal style in one sentence: My personal style is all about a clean, classy look that is sharp but effortless.

What is a trend you secretly love that you probably should not? The dad-style trend of wearing running shoes with classy, tailored trousers. It's a weird mix, but I think it looks great.

What is a song that always lifts your mood? Sugar by Robin Schulz because my dad used to listen to it a lot when I was younger and it also has a summery vibe. It gives me feelings of nostalgia and happiness.

Name a creative person (living or from the past) whose life you wish you could live for a day? I would choose Pharrell Williams. He balances being a musician, a producer and the creative director for Louis Vuitton menswear. It would be cool to see how he manages to create music, art and high fashion all in one day.

What is a skill you are proud of? I'm really proud of my ability to get back up after a big failure. Whether it’s a tough race, an injury in a triathlon, or a difficult challenge in school, I’ve learned how to bounce back stronger every time.

Tell us about a cause you care about: A cause I really care about is fighting childhood poverty and inequality. It’s incredibly sad that some kids don't have access to basic needs like food and I want to support initiatives that change that. 

The most spontaneous thing you have ever done: The most spontaneous thing I've ever done was deciding on a whim to go to the Elite Model Look casting in Lyon. I didn't overthink it, I just went for it and it turned out to be an amazing experience.

How much do you like to prepare? I plan first and then wing it!

What is your coffee shop order? A hot chocolate with a chocolate muffin. 

Name the top destination on your bucket list? Brazil.