Remi
If you’ve ever walked down Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice or taken a stroll down SoHo in New York City, you’ve probably walked past photos of Remi. He’s one of the more recognizable male models and can be seen in campaigns with brands ranging from Buck Mason to Equinox. I’ve gotten to know Remi through a mutual friend and have become close friends with him over the years. To say Remi is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met, would
be an understatement.
Let me paint the picture.
I could be having a cocktail with Remi
in LA and 24 hours later he’s on the other side of the planet. Or he could be in LA one day and driving his sprinter van through the Carolinas the next. (yes, the North and South ones). Or better yet, purposely putting his phone in Japanese without really knowing how to read, write, or speak Japanese.
There’s people who are curious and open minded about the world, and then there’s Remi.
If Dos Equis needed a real life version of the most interesting man in the world, he is a surefire candidate.
That said, I wanted to capture that for our readers, so I met up with Remi to ask him
a few questions about his way of life, his favorite things, and where he’s going next.
4 Questions About How You Think & Your Way of Life
1
9
9
3
Who are you? Where are you from?
R
E
M
I
I feel “who I am” is yet to be discovered. That’s the short answer.
When I think of such a question,
I immediately start to overthink it, like
I do most things.
I am told I am from my mothers womb, thru conjunction with you know what with my father. But in actuality, likely I am from some source way beyond Lagos, Nigeria.
I actually get asked “where I am from” almost everyday, and it really starts a debate within myself and the questioner.
I get the point of the question, just like when someone asks “how is the weather”, but then I say I was born in Nigeria and immigrated to USA twenty two years ago, and then some say “oh you are from USA then”. So it depends who you ask.
1
9
9
3
You’re one of the most interesting
people I know. You are seemingly
in another place at any moment. You
purposely deviate the conventional
path. When I think of you, I’m
reminded of this quote I heard from
Naval. “The only real test of
intelligence is if you get what you
want out of life. And the other half of
the battle is knowing what you want
in the first pace.” What do you want
out of life? Have you achieved it?
R
E
M
I
Want out of life? I would first change “want” to “need”. In which case I would want/need to feel alive. How I define “alive” and manifest it is what mostly occupies my/our mind. I feel from a material sense
I have achieved everything I need based
on my current scope of awareness. With that said I mainly aim for the ability to be able to exercise as much freedom of choice as possible with regard to external forces. Internally, I strive for a sense of balance between inner peace and chaos.
I am yet to achieve both, don’t really think
I will, only able to diligently strive.
1
9
9
3
I met you when you were living in a sprinter van. If I remember correctly, this was in an effort to explore the world and see things as opposed to having a single place. In your own words, what inspired this way of living?
R
E
M
I
There were a myriad of factors that led to me purchasing my first camper van in 2013. I remember thinking if I could find a way to reduce my fixed monthly expenses to ~$200, I wouldn’t be influenced/limited as much by certain desires and wouldn’t need to chase work or feel that I needed money to feel the zest in life, I could just live on my own accord. It has now evolved to exploring and experiencing as much perspectives as possible.
3 Questions About What You Love
1
9
9
3
You love Japanese culture & aesthetics. Why? What is it about it?
R
E
M
I
The first show on tv I remember being obsessed with as a kid in Nigeria was “Rurouni Kenshin”. It was about a Meiji era swordsman/assassin that decided to stop his deadly ways and use his sword to protect people. The themes gets nuanced and conflicting pretty quickly and I remember resonating with all of it from the moral dilemmas, to the landscapes and fashion. To this day, my current travel day attire is inspired by a character from the show, Aoshi. Then I visited Japan a decade ago now, and it was reinforced by this feeling I had when there. I felt like they really put a lot of thought into everything. I know almost everything stems from thoughts, but in Japan, that notion radiates everywhere. I really appreciated that feeling, that you can effect your world through enough thinking.
From that breathe, I came across literature from the Kyoto “school” of philosophers started by Kitaro Nishida. In summary, the thinkers involved were fussing western and eastern thoughts while elaborating on the notion of “nothingness”.
1
9
9
3
You mentioned you’re into vintage soccer team vibes lately - can you explain further? Where did this inspiration come from?
R
E
M
I
You know I wonder. I run into that thought question all the time, what was the source inspiration of an idea/act/thought?
Likely because I was born in the past, and
I then think about the past, and I love soccer, so I start thinking about soccer
in the past. I keep thinking about it, I think about it so much that it manifests itself
in various aspects of my life. It clouds how
I see, and want to be seen.
1
9
9
3
What are some of your favorite brands or cultural trends right now? (could be anything, fashion, candles, cars, etc.)
R
E
M
I
People that know me and comment on my style describe it as Athletic bohemian. Some add sheek, and I would say it’s not far fetched. Currently in my travel bag are items from Buck Mason, Satisfy Running, Pas Normal cycling, HillCity, mixed with a few vintage finds.
For shoes; Hoka, Norda, & Mohinders.
I am sure not unique to me, but I create all these rules to abide by, for whatever reason I conjure for my sanity to dictate what I see in my most intimate spaces: right now it’s the color Olive/green, brown/tans, and Blue. Of course you can’t do without black/white. But when you start
to look around it feels those colors are trending everywhere, or at least trending
in my life.
On my radar is a third Mercedes Benz, and
I want something big, so that has been
a fun rabbit hole. Of all retail car makers, apparently Mercedes come in many many massive chasis.
I also like this whole digital currency/decentralized type movement bubbling
up lately.
5 Questions About Travel
1
9
9
3
Describe your most unique experience in life. Something that was unforgettable - who was involved, what happened, where was it?
R
E
M
I
This question, As I think, and think, and brood more about it, it really feels good. So I will like to reserve the choice to keep ruminating on the question for as long as it keeps feeling good.
I love me a feel good question to brood on.
1
9
9
3
Where are you dying to go next?
R
E
M
I
God willing, this year I plan to road trip through Alaska, visit India, Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, and Angola.
1
9
9
3
How is a “great experience” defined for you? Is it a feeling or is it a set of things?
R
E
M
I
I will say it’s a feeling, but i do know
a few line items that can help. Good rest
is a big one, good company, good food, good music & a spliff.
1
9
9
3
What is something you learned recently that blew your mind?
R
E
M
I
A close friend from Japan was telling me that apparently the Japanese eat a huge amount of processed foods in comparison to US. When I think about it, it seems plausible; was just shocking given my biased assumptions and idolization of Japan.
1
9
9
3
Anything else you want to leave with our readers?
R
E
M
I
Buy some Crypto & Floss daily!
Remi
If you’ve ever walked down Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice or taken a stroll down SoHo in New York City, you’ve probably walked past photos of Remi. He’s one of the more recognizable male models and can be seen in campaigns with brands ranging from Buck Mason to Equinox. I’ve gotten to know Remi through a mutual friend and have become close friends with him over the years. To say Remi is one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met, would
be an understatement.
Let me paint the picture.
I could be having a cocktail with Remi
in LA and 24 hours later he’s on the other side of the planet. Or he could be in LA one day and driving his sprinter van through the Carolinas the next. (yes, the North and South ones). Or better yet, purposely putting his phone in Japanese without really knowing how to read, write, or speak Japanese.
There’s people who are curious and open minded about the world, and then there’s Remi.
If Dos Equis needed a real life version of the most interesting man in the world, he is a surefire candidate.
That said, I wanted to capture that for our readers, so I met up with Remi to ask him
a few questions about his way of life, his favorite things, and where he’s going next.
4 Questions About How You Think & Your Way of Life
1
9
9
3
Who are you? Where are you from?
R
E
M
I
I feel “who I am” is yet to be discovered. That’s the short answer.
When I think of such a question,
I immediately start to overthink it, like
I do most things.
I am told I am from my mothers womb, thru conjunction with you know what with my father. But in actuality, likely I am from some source way beyond Lagos, Nigeria.
I actually get asked “where I am from” almost everyday, and it really starts a debate within myself and the questioner.
I get the point of the question, just like when someone asks “how is the weather”, but then I say I was born in Nigeria and immigrated to USA twenty two years ago, and then some say “oh you are from USA then”. So it depends who you ask.
1
9
9
3
You’re one of the most interesting
people I know. You are seemingly
in another place at any moment. You
purposely deviate the conventional
path. When I think of you, I’m
reminded of this quote I heard from
Naval. “The only real test of
intelligence is if you get what you
want out of life. And the other half of
the battle is knowing what you want
in the first pace.” What do you want
out of life? Have you achieved it?
R
E
M
I
Want out of life? I would first change “want” to “need”. In which case I would want/need to feel alive. How I define “alive” and manifest it is what mostly occupies my/our mind. I feel from a material sense
I have achieved everything I need based
on my current scope of awareness. With that said I mainly aim for the ability to be able to exercise as much freedom of choice as possible with regard to external forces. Internally, I strive for a sense of balance between inner peace and chaos.
I am yet to achieve both, don’t really think
I will, only able to diligently strive.
1
9
9
3
I met you when you were living in a sprinter van. If I remember correctly, this was in an effort to explore the world and see things as opposed to having a single place. In your own words, what inspired this way of living?
R
E
M
I
There were a myriad of factors that led to me purchasing my first camper van in 2013. I remember thinking if I could find a way to reduce my fixed monthly expenses to ~$200, I wouldn’t be influenced/limited as much by certain desires and wouldn’t need to chase work or feel that I needed money to feel the zest in life, I could just live on my own accord. It has now evolved to exploring and experiencing as much perspectives as possible.
3 Questions About What You Love
1
9
9
3
You love Japanese culture & aesthetics. Why? What is it about it?
R
E
M
I
The first show on tv I remember being obsessed with as a kid in Nigeria was “Rurouni Kenshin”. It was about a Meiji era swordsman/assassin that decided to stop his deadly ways and use his sword to protect people. The themes gets nuanced and conflicting pretty quickly and I remember resonating with all of it from the moral dilemmas, to the landscapes and fashion. To this day, my current travel day attire is inspired by a character from the show, Aoshi. Then I visited Japan a decade ago now, and it was reinforced by this feeling I had when there. I felt like they really put a lot of thought into everything. I know almost everything stems from thoughts, but in Japan, that notion radiates everywhere. I really appreciated that feeling, that you can effect your world through enough thinking.
From that breathe, I came across literature from the Kyoto “school” of philosophers started by Kitaro Nishida. In summary, the thinkers involved were fussing western and eastern thoughts while elaborating on the notion of “nothingness”.
1
9
9
3
You mentioned you’re into vintage soccer team vibes lately - can you explain further? Where did this inspiration come from?
R
E
M
I
You know I wonder. I run into that thought question all the time, what was the source inspiration of an idea/act/thought?
Likely because I was born in the past, and
I then think about the past, and I love soccer, so I start thinking about soccer
in the past. I keep thinking about it, I think about it so much that it manifests itself
in various aspects of my life. It clouds how
I see, and want to be seen.
1
9
9
3
What are some of your favorite brands or cultural trends right now? (could be anything, fashion, candles, cars, etc.)
R
E
M
I
People that know me and comment on my style describe it as Athletic bohemian. Some add sheek, and I would say it’s not far fetched. Currently in my travel bag are items from Buck Mason, Satisfy Running, Pas Normal cycling, HillCity, mixed with a few vintage finds.
For shoes; Hoka, Norda, & Mohinders.
I am sure not unique to me, but I create all these rules to abide by, for whatever reason I conjure for my sanity to dictate what I see in my most intimate spaces: right now it’s the color Olive/green, brown/tans, and Blue. Of course you can’t do without black/white. But when you start
to look around it feels those colors are trending everywhere, or at least trending
in my life.
On my radar is a third Mercedes Benz, and
I want something big, so that has been
a fun rabbit hole. Of all retail car makers, apparently Mercedes come in many many massive chasis.
I also like this whole digital currency/decentralized type movement bubbling
up lately.
5 Questions About Travel
1
9
9
3
Describe your most unique experience in life. Something that was unforgettable - who was involved, what happened, where was it?
R
E
M
I
This question, As I think, and think, and brood more about it, it really feels good. So I will like to reserve the choice to keep ruminating on the question for as long as it keeps feeling good.
I love me a feel good question to brood on.
1
9
9
3
Where are you dying to go next?
R
E
M
I
God willing, this year I plan to road trip through Alaska, visit India, Ethiopia, Ghana, Senegal, Egypt, and Angola.
1
9
9
3
How is a “great experience” defined for you? Is it a feeling or is it a set of things?
R
E
M
I
I will say it’s a feeling, but i do know
a few line items that can help. Good rest
is a big one, good company, good food, good music & a spliff.
1
9
9
3
What is something you learned recently that blew your mind?
R
E
M
I
A close friend from Japan was telling me that apparently the Japanese eat a huge amount of processed foods in comparison to US. When I think about it, it seems plausible; was just shocking given my biased assumptions and idolization of Japan.
1
9
9
3
Anything else you want to leave with our readers?
R
E
M
I
Buy some Crypto & Floss daily!