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Words_Thomas Hobbs Photographer_Ben Harries Fashion Director_Kenny Ho

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Suit by Mr. Start Shirt by Other

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It’s fair to say that British model-turned-actors are a bit of a mixed bunch. For every success story like Tom Hardy (achieving the heights of Nolan Batman villain), there’s a Lily Cole (master of the monotone). Step forward David Frampton. A trained actor, he admits he lost touch with his first passion after arriving in London 10 years ago— when, just like Hardy, he secured a contract with the renowned Models1 agency. Working with photographers like Bruce Weber, Frampton has since travelled the world as the face of advertising campaigns for everyone from Alfred Dunhill to D.S. Dundee to Abercrombie & Fitch. But with a renewed focus on exploring his thespian talents, the actor is now aiming for the bright lights of Hollywood, after lining up roles in some of 2013’s most intriguing independent films. Citing Ryan Gosling’s quiet but brutal noir anti-hero in ‘Drive’ as a key influence, Frampton has a clear idea of the types of roles he wants to play. “I’ve been offered TV work and soap roles as the good-looking boy-next-door type, but I’m not interested in selling out. I’m all for exploring dark characters, in artistic films, which will challenge me emotionally.” One such challenge is a role in director Timur Ahmet’s upcoming indie drama ‘Silenced’. Frampton plays Frank — a council worker with a troubled past, who subjects his wife to violent domestic abuse. “Frank keeps his other half locked away, and has complete control over her. He is the sort of guy you would see as a normal, everyday bloke — but behind closed doors it’s a completely different story.” The film is based on true events, and Frampton has spoken with the woman whose story inspired it. “I don’t think there is a dark bone in my body, but the dark roles are ironically what I seem to most enjoy playing,” he admits. With his blue eyes and chiselled face, Northampton-born Frampton looks a lot like a young Guy Pearce — an actor whose career he’d no doubt dream of emulating. But despite those defining looks, he acknowledges that self-confidence issues have held him back in the past. “When I wake up in the morning

now I’m happy. I wasn’t before, life was a struggle. I used to think very negatively about acting, but now I approach everything with more inner conviction.” Although he didn’t lack for lucrative modelling jobs, Frampton decided to try his hand at an acting career again four years ago, starting off by appearing in student films. “I started doing those films for free for a year and a half all over the country. I enjoyed the

experience, and it allowed me to put together my first showreel. My main issue was self-belief,

but I’ve conquered that now. If you don’t believe in yourself it will show on screen

as the camera picks up every little detail.” That belief will be put to

the test this year in Greek director Katerina Philippou’s ‘Marriage’. Frampton describes the film — after taking a deep breath — as an exploration into the crumbling

marriage of a young couple, which simultaneously mirrors the global

financial crisis and its impact on the crumbling economy of Greece. “It is

probably my most challenging role to date. There’s a lot of crying involved, and it was very

intense to film. I play an old friend re-entering the life of a guy in a troubled marriage. I was blown away by the script, and jumped at a chance to audition for the role.” With plans to show at some of the film world’s most elite festivals, including Sundance and Cannes, ‘Marriage’ could finally open bigger doors for the actor. And speaking to Frampton, you get the feeling he’d embrace America; but he insists there is no rush, and that there’s still plenty to master before making the jump. “I don’t imagine there will ever be a time where I’d consider myself the finished article. I just want to learn as much as possible before embarking on the Hollywood ‘dream’.” David started to learn about acting from a young age, watching as his dad performed impromptu routines around the house. Rufus Frampton was part of the Royal Shakespeare Company in the Sixties, and in his time there worked with the likes of Laurence Olivier, Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren and Patrick Stewart. The two will be united on film this year in ‘The Last Day of Winter’,

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directed by artist Sergio Fabio Ferrari. In a “small but pivotal role”, Frampton’s dad shares screen time with his son in a work which explores four interlinked, emotionally driven stories. “Working with Sergio was amazing. The first day I met him, he invited me to his house and he completed a painting of me. And the quality of the acting from all of the cast is right up there.” With a wry smile he adds: “And of course working with Dad was a childhood dream.” Frampton hopes that ‘Marriage’ and ‘The Last Day of Winter’ will help to establish his acting credentials to a wider audience. And following previous work such as short film ‘First The Bird Fell’ (nominated for Best Film at the Exposures Film Festival), where he played an injured runner reflecting on his past career, he now wants to be a part of larger projects.

He isn’t finished with modelling just yet, though; in his eyes, the two mediums share a lot of common ground. “Working with the Webers of this world, you have to give pictures a back story and get into character — so modelling and film work do share some of the same preparations.” Having recently landed a role as the face of Jaguar’s F-Type Series advert, filmed in Chile, Frampton admits that the financial security of modelling work enables him to choose his roles carefully and exercise more “quality control”. And with a role also lined up in ambitious Renaissance thriller ‘The Secret of Botticelli’ (for which he’s currently enrolled in a medieval sword combat class), filmed on location in Florence and due for release in 2014, the mix of modelling and acting is never short of entertainment.

“Film is something I love being a part of — I’d love to progress enough to one day go behind the camera myself and direct. For the moment, though, I’m riding the wave and waiting to see where it takes me.”

Look over your shoulder, Mr. Hardy . . .

Coat by Hancock Shirt by Mr. Start Tie by Hackett

: :

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Opposite: Blazer by Richard James Shirt by Qasimi Homme Trousers by Timothy Everest Shoes by Hackett

Above: Suit by Mr. Start Shirt by Other Shoes by Hackett

Following/Opening: Blazer by Timothy Everest Shirt by Richard James Tie and trousers by Hackett

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Groom

ing_Franco Vallelonga at Era Artist M

anagement using A

lpha-H &

Bumble and Bum

ble / David Fram

pton is represented by Nevs m

odel agency in London