Beautiful People

PHOTOGRAPHS David Fischer/Family Management
STYLING Pierre Camilo
HAIR & MAKE-UP Sophia Eriksen/Agent Bauer
INTERVIEWS Milène Larsson
PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT Jesper Lindström
Thanks to OdenLab & Millesgården, Lidingö, Sweden Beautiful People is a networking community for like-minded people all over the world. The main concerns are appearance and success. It’s a members’ only club, and in order to get in you have to submit a photo of yourself together with an application form where you answer questions about your weight, height, income, profession, where and how you live and if you have a car. The Beautiful People members will then vote on a scale from “Definitely,” to “OK,” “On the Brink” and down to “Absolutely NOT.” You will then be sent a report on your results. We met with a few members to find out what this club is all about and to hear their views on beauty and other essentials in life.

J. Lindeberg dress, Rizzo shoes, Glitter necklace, watch stylist’s own

Jacqueline, 22, journalism student, 167 cm tall, weighs 51 kg, has her own apartment but no car.

Vice: What makes you beautiful?

My personality. You’re not beautiful just because you look good. It’s important to accept and be pleased with yourself, to have charisma and a good attitude. I’m not as shallow as I look, I have to uphold myself daily against prejudiced people thinking I’m dumb and blonde.

So why are you a member then?

For dating and to market myself. I’m an aspiring model and it’s a good way to get in touch with people and get discovered. But it’s important to be careful because there are a lot of fakes out there who say they are photographers but have bad intentions. I’ve heard about girls being raped. Oh, and half the fun of being a member is getting to vote.

What do you base your votes on?

At first I voted “OK” for everyone just to be nice, but Beautiful People have certain premises for memberships and since I am a member I feel that I should follow them. Now I always say yes to those who write a good personal presentation, but if they don’t say anything about themselves I base my choice on whether or not I find them hot.

Tiger suit, Götrich hankie, CK tank top, Omega watch, Lacoste belt, Marc Jacobs shoes

Richard, 26, PR consultant, 188 cm tall, weighs 81 kg, doesn’t have a car but owns his own apartment in the city.

Vice: What’s the best part of being a member of Beautiful People?

I like the feeling of power I get from being able to vote. I’m very tough when I vote and I base my choices 70 per cent on looks and 30 per cent on personal presentation. It’s fun to be able to meet and exchange ideas with other like-minded people who, just like me, care about their appearance.

What makes you a worthy member?

I’m very open, I look good, dress well and pay attention to my appearance.

What is important for you in life?

Love, money, friends, and to have fun, of course.

Pour gloves, Playboy necklace from A&B

Wiktor, 19, training to be a circus artist, 184 cm tall, weighs 76 kg, shares a flat with two friends and has no car.

Vice: Were you accepted into Beautiful People on the first try?

No, ha ha. I think it was because the first picture I sent in was just a basic portrait. Then I tried again with a picture where I took my shirt off and showed my torso and I got accepted in a flash! When I vote I try to consider true beauty. There are too many girls who are accepted just for being blonde or because they have big tits.

Are good looks important?

No, actually. I’m a member of other communities too and hang out with a lot of different kinds of people. I listen to EBM music and have many alternative friends. What’s interesting with the ones I know from Beautiful People is that they are often very successful, well-educated and pay attention to their physique. It tends to get pretty impersonal though. With them the conversations mostly deal with food and fitness, but it’s fun that everyone looks good. When it comes to myself it’s important that I’m pleased with my looks. I can’t imagine being fat, that would be horrible. Fitness is such a big part of my life and I work out for four hours every day.

Svenska Försvarsmakten trousers, Tiger of Sweden shoes, necklace model’s own

Johan, 33, air force lieutenant, 176 cm tall, weighs 71 kg, lives in a three-room apartment in the upmarket part of town and drives a blue Mercedes SLK.

Vice: How did you find out about Beautiful People?

I heard a radio interview with the founders of Beautiful People and figured I would apply and see if I could get in. I travel a lot in my job and it’s a good way for me to get to meet people. I’m a member in Sweden, Germany, the Baltic countries and Spain. Many of the members aren’t that bright, but at least they’re successful and they look good!

Are good looks important?

Yes. I would have hoped that things like having an IQ of 128, a nice car and a Jacuzzi would matter, but when it comes to getting girls it seems like my appearance is of decisive importance. If I’m to fall in love with someone they have to look good, be rich and successful.

Ever fallen in love with an ugly girl?

It has happened, yes, but hopefully not again.

What makes you beautiful?

My uniform and my charm.

D&G blouse, Max Mara skirt, Omega gold and brilliant watch, Skulltuna necklace, Sergio Rossi shoes

Susanne, 29, estate agent, 177 cm tall, weighs 65 kg, owns a penthouse in the city.

Vice: Why are you a member of Beautiful People?

All girls want to get in touch with hot guys, right? Beautiful People is packed with them. I’ve been to dates with some real hunks. I take care of myself and my appearance and it’s important that the guys I meet do too. I like the fact that I can have a say and influence who will get access to the network, and only vote for the good-looking ones. I wish more guys my age would apply. It’s also fun to get to talk to and chat with members.

What do you talk about?

Mostly about what people work as and do in their spare time, interests, and if anything fun is happening on the weekend.

What is important to you in life?

Success, money, to have a family and kids later on.

Topman vest, Sand trousers, Human bracelet

Mikael, 35, salesman, 188 cm tall, weighs 79 kg, owns a house in the suburbs and drives a silver Citroën XM.

Vice: Would you consider dating someone ugly?

No, I wouldn’t date a person I don’t find attractive. Beautiful People appealed to me because it’s filled with pretty girls and seemed like a good network. And it’s pleasant to get to vote.

Who would you never vote for?

Girls I don’t find attractive. Since you only get to see a picture you don’t really know what the person is like. Maybe it should be judged on more than just looks.

Reiss trousers, Tiger belt, Pour gloves, Playboy necklace from A&B

A&B/Bspoke www.bspoke.se Boomerang www.boomerang.se
CK www.calvinklein.com D&G www.dolcegabbana.it
Glitter www.glitter.se Götrich www.gotrich.se
Hugo Boss www.hugoboss.com Human/RMPR www.rmpr.se
J. Lindeberg www.jlindeberg.com Lacoste www.lacoste.com
Marc Jacobs www.marcjacobs.com Max Mara +49 89 3504960
Omega www.omegawatches.com Pour www.pour.se
Reiss www.reiss.co.uk Rizzo www.rizzo.se Sand www.sand.dk
Sergio Rossi www.sergiorossi.com Skultuna www.skultuna.com
Svenska Försvarsmakten www.overskottsbolaget.se
Tiger www.tigerofsweden.com Topman www.topman.com