Brian Shimansky Interview: Versace Eros, Male Modelling & the Making of a Modern Icon

10 min read

From Versace Eros to a life of craft, and character — the evolution of one of modern menswear’s defining male models

Words - Tajinder Hayer

Photography - Blake Ballard

Styling - Hannah Johnson

Grooming - Samantha Gunn

Retouching - Gayla Voronych

Model: Brian Shimansky at Soul Artist Management

In men’s fashion, there are campaigns — and then there are cultural fixtures. Brian Shimansky’s work as the face of Versace Eros belongs firmly in the latter. Shot by Mert & Marcus and overseen by Donatella Versace, the imagery helped define a decade of fragrance advertising: muscular, mythic, unapologetically masculine.

Yet Shimansky is the first to admit that when the story began, he didn’t fully understand what he represented.

“From day one, I often heard this feedback from photographers — ‘classic 80s Versace,’” he recalls. “I was so green, I didn’t know what it meant.”

Four years into his career, the meaning became unmistakably clear. In June 2012, calls from his New York and Paris agents confirmed he had booked a new Versace fragrance campaign. For a male model, it was the call.

“For a fashion model, this is one of the most thrilling calls you can receive,” he says. “I was beyond excited — but more importantly, I was ready.”

That readiness was no accident. With just three days’ notice, Shimansky locked into a precise physical and mental preparation process — one that would come to define his professional discipline.

“At this point in my career, my prep and process were dialed. With three days’ notice, I prepared accordingly and showed up ready to go.”

The shoot itself demanded more than aesthetics. Print was completed in a day; the commercial stretched into a relentless 24-hour marathon.

“It required sustained energy and focus,” he explains. “Working with Donatella, Mert & Marcus, and the entire production team was an honour — one of the most memorable moments of my career. The vibe on set was very focused and calmly driven toward capturing their vision.”

At the time, Shimansky felt closely aligned with the Eros character — physically, emotionally, instinctively.

“Upon shooting the campaign in 2012, I was personally a bit closer to the traits associated with the Eros character,” he says.

Fourteen years later, that alignment has softened.

“I relate a bit less to that character on a daily basis now. I’ve become a faith-driven husband and father, aiming to serve others with the gifts I’ve been given in modelling, athletics, and woodcraft.”

That evolution mirrors how Shimansky approaches his craft today — with structure, restraint and purpose. Preparation remains central, but it adapts to circumstance.

“For most of my career, I strived to walk around ‘three days out,’ because that’s what I had for Eros,” he explains. “Heavy push, pull, core lifting, recovery with sushi, then fasting, running, walking and stretching in London.”

More recent projects allow for longer run-ups — and even greater precision.

“For this shoot, I had six weeks. Two heavy strength days, four days of mixed interval cardio. Basic movements, high intensity. Nutrition gets very clean — lean protein, carbs, fruits and vegetables. Alcohol has no place in my process.”

That discipline was sharpened by working with some of the industry’s most demanding creative forces. From Steven Klein, Shimansky learned intensity.

“Working with Steven helped shape a high level of focus in my work.”

From Mert & Marcus, decisiveness.

“They shaped my ability to make confident creative choices quickly in a fast-paced environment.”

The overarching lesson?

“Leave the butterflies in the green room. Step into the production with confidence — you’re there because they chose you. Honour their creative process and yours.”

It’s advice well suited to an industry in flux. Over the past decade, Shimansky has watched male modelling shift from a tightly controlled system to something far more participatory.

“The role of a male model has evolved away from the traditional gate-kept world toward a more proactive, producer-type character,” he says. “It’s a much more exciting landscape than sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.”

But even that transformation, he believes, will soon be eclipsed.

“As big as the changes from 2014 to 2025 were, they’ll be dwarfed by what’s coming with generative AI. The genie isn’t going back in the bottle.”

Still, Shimansky is clear on one thing.

“AI models will exist, but humans will always crave human connection. Who would have wanted to ‘Be Like Mike’ if a robot replaced Jordan in the 1992 Gatorade ad?”

That belief in the human — in effort, imperfection, and lived experience — is why editorial work continues to matter deeply to him.

“Every editorial is an opportunity to showcase your ability to deliver for future clients. I truly appreciate the creative challenge they bring.”

Outside fashion, Shimansky has built parallel worlds that keep him grounded. Woodworking, which he began in 2014, offers autonomy and tangible reward.

Shirt - Tommy Hilfiger, Waistcoat - Joseph Abboud

“I get to establish the vision, the pace, and produce a finished work without waiting for bookings. I learned early to use free moments wisely.”

Coaching baseball completes the circle. Once a struggling college walk-on, he transformed through discipline and mentorship — a lesson he now passes on.

“That experience forged my performance mentality. I love instilling that wisdom in young athletes.”

In an industry increasingly shaped by digital metrics, Shimansky remains deliberately analogue.

“I’m playing the long game. Digital time is a small portion of my day. I like being outside, working with my hands, listening to jazz in the shop.”

Looking forward, his ambitions are expansive yet rooted.

“The next phase of my career will be defined by trusting God, nurturing relationships, building my family, and using my talents to serve others.”

Creatively, anything is possible.

“A craftsman building heritage goods. A daddy-daughter moment. A ballroom-dancing matador. Another ancient hero in trunks wielding a new weapon — who knows?”

Yet the moment that perhaps defines him best has nothing to do with fashion. With his first fragrance cheque, Shimansky bought land near where his grandfather once lived. At the closing, the lawyer paused.

“He said, ‘I knew your grandfather. There was nobody else I’d want to be in the trenches with.’”

Shimansky remembers smiling, holding back tears.

“Ultimately, I pray to use my talents each day to be a more loving husband, a more joyful father, and a better friend — so that when my time comes, people might share that kind of story about me.”

Not just an icon — but a man who understands what legacy really looks like.

Brian Shimansky: The Making of an Icon