Filmmaker Anna Victoria Best and stylist Georgia Boal Russell screen test i-D’s top boys from AW13.
Ben Allen wanted to be a footballer but ended up being far too pretty for that. Born in Brockley, discovered on Portobello Road and currently on the catwalk, Ben’s one of the hottest and most coveted new faces. His cut-throat cheekbones have got a cut-throat industry wrapped around his little finger; opening the Prada SS13 show as his first job, walking the Richard Nicholl, Dries Van Noten and Marc by Marc Jacobs shows and becoming the face of Topman and Dior Homme. You don’t often meet a 17-year old classed as an Homme but Ben’s floppy/spiky teen boy hair, Andrew Garfield-like lips and cheeky ‘tude got the fashion pack talking.
Name/Age: Benjamin Mark Allen, 17
What do you get up to in your spare time? Football. I love my club. If I could be born again tomorrow I’d definitely try to become a professional. Or a music producer…. Hmmm. Other than football, organising, lots of organising.
What do you think is your best feature? Social confidence. I consider myself as being a gregarious and amiable person. I grew up with in a situation of always meeting new people and that reflects in my personality today.
What do you think when you look in the mirror? Hopped up out the bed, turn my swag on, took a look in the mirror said what’s up?! Haha I’m kidding I have no idea.
What song can’t you get out of your head? Erm. I’m quite obsessed with Dipset at the moment so I’d say ‘Let’s go’ by Juelz Santana. Perfect mix of straight gangsta and soul (which I also love).
What are your mates like? Funny, faithful, good company. I love my friends more than anything, if I didn’t have them I would have gone insane months ago.
Text: Felicity Kinsella
Film and Stills: Anna Victoria Best
Styling: Georgia Boal Russell
Grooming: Nina Robinson using MAC and Kiehls
Production: Daniel Comrie
Ben wears jeans Levi’s. Shirts and jacket G-Star. Necklace model’s own.
