Great having you cover The Perfect Man this January, Michael let’s begin with where you are from and what country do you call home?

I spent my childhood in between two places. I was born in New York City, but spent half of my childhood between Moscow, Russia and New York City.

Coffee or tea?

Tea, honey is a must.

Do you sing in the shower?

Rarely.

Cat or Dog?

Dog.

What's your favorite body part? and your least favorite?

I genuinely don’t have a favorite or least favorite part of the body. The eye’s are usually the first thing I notice in other people so I’d say that’s one of the most important parts for me.

How were you discovered, who was the first photographer that booked you?

My manager Mike Stallings first saw me walking in Soho in New York when I was 16. He then by chance happened to see me again when I was 18 in Times Square and remembered me from two years prior. I had done a lot of test shoots before my first booking so I don’t remember my first official booked job.

What was your favorite shoot you’ve done and why?

Hard question to answer for several reasons. The biggest factors for me are the people on set, the overall energy and the photographer having a general idea of what he wants, but not being too stubborn or picky with the end result before we achieve it. These combinations have produced some of my best work and are the most enjoyable shoots I’ve done to so far.

You have been the face and body for Versace fragrance and underwear and have worked for countless designers, which other campaigns are still on your list that you would love to book?

I’m still striving for my own fragrance campaign.

How can we get the Michael Gioia physique, what’s is your fitness routine and do you play a sport, if so which one?

I used to play basketball, football and baseball. Nowadays I stick to yoga, boxing and weight room training.

You have perfect skin, how do you take care of it, any tips for our readers?

Thank you, I drink a lot of water (& lemon water) and rarely drink any kinds of sugar.

Where do you go to switch off?

India. Meditation also helps me wherever I am in the world.

Do you have a favorite city?

My favorite city is wherever I’m with people that feel like family.

Are you a perfect man? In your opinion, what does it take to be The Perfect Man?

I am not a perfect man. Perfection is a subjective thing, but that aside I don’t think there is such a thing as a perfect anybody. The idea of perfection for a human being can be very limiting, if we are perfect it means there is no more growth or improvement that can be had. Therefore I don’t think anyone could be a “perfect man.”

What’s a quote that speaks to you?

“Reality is negotiable.”

In this Story:

1. Mike Gioia is wearing a wool beanie MONCLER, silver coat TOM FORD, yellow shirt PAUL SMITH, tights SKISS CONCEPT and boots VERSACE and 2. Print sweater and pants DIOR, fur coat CATOU 3. Ski goggles VUARNET, wool beanie MONCLER, coat SKISS CONCEPT, black shirt DIOR and pants LOUIS VUITTON and 4. Black bomber with fur trim CATOU 5. Fur hooded vest CATOU 6. Wool beanie MONCLER, silver coat TOM FORD, yellow shirt PAUL SMITH, tights SKISS CONCEPT and boots VERSACE and 7. Fur hooded vest ALEXANDRO FRATELLI 8. Beanie GIORGIO ARMANI, print sweater and pants DIOR, fur coat CATOU 9. black bomber with fur trim CATOU 10. Hoodie ski overalls and belt GUCCI, gloves FENDI