GROOMING + GEAR

04.

Photography NINO YAP

Richie Kul wears briefs VERSACE

To celebrate the New Year and Veganuary, we teamed up with prominent Vegan Activist and Model Richie Kul. In this edit, Mr. Kul curates and educates us on vegan-approved skincare and style.

Richie wears trunks by D.HEDRAL

Coffee or tea?

Tea for me! Caffeine gives me a raging headache so I’m all about the herbal teas – rooibos, butterfly pea flower, licorice and ginseng are tops on my list. 

Your favorite thing to do on a Sunday morning?

Sleeping in, comfortably nestled up to @LilyMissSunshine is my idea of a perfect Sunday morning. After whipping us up a quick homemade brunch, we're off for a hike on one of the local trails!

We know as a model you travel often but where’s home base? What’s your background?

I am a mix of a bunch of different things but mostly Thai and Chinese. I spent my formative years in California and have lived in New York, Miami and London but I am currently based in Hong Kong. 

Richie wears Vegan mill moisturizer MILK MAKEUP

Richie wears bath robe DEREK ROSE

Since January signals the global launch of Veganuary (@weareveganuary), we wanted to ask, what made you become vegan?

Veganism is my daily stance against violence and injustice. As someone who values compassion and abhors any form of cruelty or exploitation, I went vegan largely for ethical reasons. After years of cycling through a rolodex of excuses, I ultimately decided to align my actions with my values and realized that I wasn’t even giving anything up – I simply stopped taking what was never mine to take. I went vegetarian 25 years ago and have been vegan for 5 years now, and my only regret is not having made the switch sooner!

You look Perfect, what is your routine to stay fit?

That’s very kind of you to say – coming from The Perfect Man Magazine, that really means something! I strive to show people that you can strong, healthy and masculine on a plant-based diet, and there’s no finer way to convey that message than by walking the walk and leading by example. On a typical day, I do an intermittent fast for 16 hours with two large meals for lunch and dinner. In between, I hit the gym for 45 minutes, targeting one muscle group, and then go for a hike in the forest with Lil. Consistency is everything.

What is your New Year’s resolution?

To continue finding innovative and effective ways to use my platform and voice to speak out for the most innocent and defenseless among us. 

Photography NINO YAP, Model RICHIE KUL at NEXT MODELS