On Mekahel – Putting On

By starrymag | January 3, 2019

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

 

Q) What are the recent projects you are working on?

 

A) New sports collection for M.O. Underwear, cosmetics line of makeup and continuing to pursue acting jobs. Getting ready for my move to Los Angeles this upcoming Spring and planning my wedding. All while filming Season 2 for “Putting On.”

 

Q) Please tell us the premise for the show “Putting On.”

 

A) For me, the premise for the show is to show a different side of the LGBTQ community to the world – the hardworking, the side of us who believe in relationships. Also, it is to give the youth more hope and passion to follow their dreams. In my mind I’m still just a little boy from Israel that’s running after my dreams. Everyone out there should believe in themselves and take steps toward their goals.

 

Q) Often the setting can play almost a character in itself. How does New York standout in this series?

 

A) New York is the most amazing city in the world – full of opportunities, dreams and passionate, driven people. On the other hand, New York can tear and break you. The challenge is to be the best version of yourself. Believe in yourself and never give up. If you do that, New York is the place that can make all your dreams come through.

For me, New York is gonna be my forever home. For the show, New York was the perfect place and also for my career as this is the city of fashion and business. And that is what I’m working on for the past few years: making my fashion career a business.

 

Q) As an up and coming fashion designer, who are some of designers you look up to?

 

A) I’d definitely say Jeremy Scott. Love the unique style he brought to Moschino and to everything he is doing. I love the way he brings his personality and he is not afraid of what people have to say.

 

Q) What makes working with your ex so difficult?

 

A) I feel like the most difficult part was the emotions at the beginning when everything was still new – how to work together while starting to tear apart the life together. That was, for me, very hard. Especially when you start new business and it’s not a 9-5 job – you kinda live it 24/7. And, for me, I had a lot of pain and anger in the beginning and it made the working together very hard.

 

Q) Since this is a reality series, was there parts of your life you deemed off limits to the camera?

 

A) I was honestly very open and gave the cameras permission to almost every part in my life.

Since we start filming a week after a big hard breakup, I had few days here and there that I wasn’t in good shape and needed the cameras to stop filming – moments when my ex and I had some deep conversations about moving forward, etc. Other than that, I kept my family mostly away from the cameras in the first season as wanted to keep my amazing family to myself, but in the next season I feel like I’m more comfortable and readier to show a bit more. After all, my life is amazing, and I want to share it with the world as much as I can.

 

Q) What is one fashion trend you’re really into at the moment?

 

A) The trend I’m really into these days is the comeback of FILA and the sporty look. The named tracksuits and the old-fashioned massive sneakers.

 

Q) What were some of your most memorable moments from filming the series?

 

A) The most memorable moments from filming season two would probably be the photoshoot for M.O. Underwear. It was a big day with top models, and about thirty crew members who made an amazing production for my designs. We worked on this day for months and as a model that been to set since I was fourteen years old, that day was above and beyond the most glamorous, exciting and fulfilling day for me.

 

Q) What makes Revry the perfect home for “Putting On?”

 

A) Revry is the perfect home for “Putting On” because it’s an amazing network with amazing content made by LGBTQ people and telling the stories of many brave and interesting people from all over the world. The Revry streaming app is in use in about seventy million homes all over the world and in countries where LGBTQ content is not a common thing. And this platform, in my opinion, is and will open more opportunities and make change in the world. And I’m beyond happy and proud to be part of the Revry family and to be the first reality series of the network.

 

Q) As a former underwear model, what advice would you offer others up and coming in the industry?

 

A) As far as modeling, you’ll get a thousand “no’s” until you get the one YES that will change your life and your career. and once you got that “yes” at one casting things will start rolling. In our generation and how the fashion industry works these days, there is a place for every type of beauty. Each look has their own place and their own platform.

I’m a short guy and couldn’t do or dream of runway shows, but I’m still working for amazing brands and all I will say never give up! Dream big and follow your goals.

 

Q) If you could walk in a show for any designer, who would it be and why?

 

A) I probably won’t be able ever because of my height, but it will definitely be Versace as I love the iconic style and the amazing fascinating shows they put together year after year. Also, if we are talking about dreams that can’t really come through, I’d also say Victoria Secrets. Always wanted wings.

 

Q) What do you hope viewers take away from watching the show?

 

A) First, it’s a reality show so I hope it will bring the fun and joy a reality TV series should bring. And if to be more serious, I hope that my journey will help the dreamers out there to take steps towards accomplishing their goals and to teach them to never give up. Everything is possible if you willing to give 100% of yourself to it.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?

 

A) My social media handles gave me my career and I’m forever thankful. I like to communicate with my followers and hear their instant opinion if it’s positive or negative. But with all the amazing things social media brings there are a lot of haters and mean people behind the phones around the world that have really hard things to say and that is something that sometimes can be really difficult. But, hey, I’m focusing on the loving comments and I love these people right back!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and support of the work you do?

 

A) A HUGE THANK YOU. You guys are one of the main reasons of me doing what I do. And I have so much to share with you in 2019! Please take one thing from me to your life and it’s to believe that dreams are coming through! Never stop believing in what you want. You’ll get everything – just keep pushing and keep working towards that.