Friday 4 August 2017

Boys by Girls - Gen Z: Daniel Van Gurp



In the midst of his delicate teens, at just 16, Daniel Van Gurp at Milk Management is the youngest boy we’ve spoken to yet in our exploration of Generation Z. His boyish grin holds undeniable charisma and he radiates a familiar charm that is often in seen in that of one’s own younger brothers. He holds your attention, and his shy demeanour makes him evermore sweet and endearing. 

Within his mind, he knows who he is. He's aware, owns a better understanding of himself than some adults twice his age, and he has grown because of it. Don't dismiss the words and thoughts of this young boy. He's already a visionary, looking to capture the world through a lens, to translate his artistic and organic daydreams into something physical, something to be shared with the world. Daniel's fascination with film is clear and partnered with his strong creative drive. It will be interesting to see what chapters will unfold on his path in the future and take in the concepts and work he delivers. 

At 16 he's still in the process of figuring things out. Travelling the world alone at such a young age, he's preparing himself for these unexplored avenues. Alone in foreign sceneries and estranged from family for a little while, Daniel has been obligated to grow up - fast. But we don’t want him to. We don’t want him to lose his pure visions of the world and wild, erratic curly hair that frames his face. It will happen eventually, but hopefully not too soon. 

Right in the deep end; who are you?
That’s a good start. I am a calm, interested and curious person. I like watching things, people - I'm very observant. 

Who influences you in every day life?
I think that the creative people within the fashion industry, people like A$AP Rocky, I really like what he’s doing with fashion. In Holland, there’s a big group called ‘Smib', I’m wearing it now, and it’s a creative group who do all sorts of stuff. I really like that.

What do you want to do in the future?
I want to be a film maker and go in that direction. I’m trying to film stuff and make a little movie about this trip. Just doing creative things. Modelling is one of them; film making; photography - just making things.

Are you still at school now?
Yeah, I am still. Doing school and modelling means, I don’t have time for other things, but I only have two months left. Then I have my exams and I’m done.

You said that you like skateboarding. How would you describe your lifestyle as a 16 year old?
Chilled out, yeah. I skate sometimes, but not so much anymore, because I’m dealing with school and modelling now. Mostly it’s having time to relax and chill with friends.

How do you want that to change in the next 5 to 10 years?
I think being done with school will be a big step, I’ll have more time to do my own things. I hope I can do more modelling and travelling too, but I want to be able to still spend time in my hometown. And hopefully making my movies too.

What do you do to make yourself happy?
I think it's mostly listening to music. Looking for positive vibes and not hanging around with people who are negative or give you that negative vibe. I notice that if I hang around with people I like and who are positive, that makes me way happier. I make music myself too - playing piano or making a beat on my laptop with my mini keyboard. I’ve been playing for four years.

How do you think social media effects the generation today?
I think it’s a really nice way to meet people, see what they’re up too, and it’s so much easier being able to share. With modelling, you put it on your Instagram story that you’re in London, and people hit you up that you don’t know that are also in London - it’s handy. I don’t use Instagram that much, more Snapchat, but I think it makes the generation more creative. Everyone is making movies, they just don’t know it. Some people maybe think making movies is boring, but with Snapchat, that’s what you’re doing. People don’t realise that they’re making more creative stuff without even noticing.

How do you handle stressful situations?
Planning it well. If I have schoolwork to do, I’ll plan and try to do it - try to, sometimes it’s hard. Music is a big thing for that too. I have to chill and get everything in my head straight.

What is your reaction to being stressed?
If I’m stressed about school, I’ll get very negative and depressive, so I try to plan everything, because I know when I don’t plan my school work right, I am going to get stressed and not wanting to do things. I know stress is not good for me, so I try to avoid it. 

Would you say you were an emotional person?
Yeah, yeah. 

Are you outwardly expressive with your emotions?
No. I think I’m really emotional, but I think I hide it more. I don’t know why, maybe to try and not look like I’m emotional and sad. My parents are always saying I’m a really emotional person.
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Full interview available here.

Image taken from Boys by Girls, shot by Cecilie Harris. Instant analog courtesy of IMPOSSIBLE.
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