STWD by Pull&Bear is all about championing new talent and celebrating the fluid, shape-shifting energy of today’s youth. For this drop, the spotlight’s on Christiano Wennmann — a young chef whose creativity doesn’t stop at the kitchen. He’s also walked for designers like Willy Chavarria, moving effortlessly between food, fashion, and self-expression. Christiano’s story feels real because it is — a reflection of a generation that doesn’t ask for permission to do it all. Every piece in this shoot is from STWD, styled to match the multi-hyphenate lives of the people wearing it.
Full look STWD by Pull&Bear
Christiano, you started out as a young chef — what first drew you to the kitchen?
My mom was a chef and so I spent a lot of time in kitchens and restaurants growing up. Growing up she was like a rockstar to me working in those kitchens, she was and still is my hero, and I wanted to be just like her. I wanted to emulate that cool, calm, collected demeanor and energy that she carried herself with. Some of my earliest memories include running around the basements of restaurants, peeking into the walk ins seeing what new produce came that day with the delivery, watching the chefs cook and move in such perfect synchronicity while they were working, badgering them with questions about how to cut cook this or how to cut that. Seeing my mom effortlessly churn out dish after dish, keeping her composure no matter how busy it got truly inspired me. To me it seemed as if she was the captaining the ship in the eye of the storm, there was no superhero, soldier, or action figure in the world that could compare to the coolness of my mom. So is the biggest reason i was drawn into the kitchen.
How did your journey from the culinary world to the fashion runway begin?
My journey from the culinary world to the fashion runway was quite the unorthodox journey. While I had been attending University my addiction to alcohol and substances (mainly cocaine) spiraled completely out of control leading me to drop out and move back to New York. I was in desperate need of a job, and after surfing and applying to multiple jobs on craigslist the only place that got back to me was a pizzeria that had a dishwashing position open. And so I began my new job as a dishwasher trying to get my life together and back on track. I spent most of my shift watching the pizza makers make pie after pie, and I would always bug them to teach me. Eventually they started to show me some tricks, and slowly I started to learn how to make pizza. I worked at that pizzeria for a while, and ended up leaving that job for my current Job at Scarrs Pizza. Fast forward a little and I guess a video of me making pizza goes viral and someone from Willys team sees it. I get an instagram DM asking if I would be open to modeling Willys underwear line. I end up doing the shoot, and the photographer tells me that I need to come for the show in Paris. Next thing you know I book a flight to paris and am walking the runway show, and the rest is history.
You’ve walked for Willy Chavarria and now model for Pull&Bear. What does fashion allow you to express that cooking doesn’t — and vice versa?
Fashion and modeling allows me to see myself in a light that I never thought i could see myself in. I put on outfits, or see photos of myself and think “WOW thats really me? I can look like that?I dont even recognize myself!” I think it allows me to express myself in ways in which I never thought were possible. Its brought a newfound confidence into my life, and also allows me to connect with people in a way in which i didnt think was possible. And also show people that anything is possible, one week in making pizza, the next week im in paris walking a runway! Im so grateful for this beautfiul life. Cooking allows me to express myself in a very different way. Cooking is a way for me to express my upbringing, my heritage, my culture. Pizza is a massive part of growing up in New York. Pizza is the food of my youth, its my comfort food, its the food that was at every birthday party growing up etc. I create food that played such an integral part in my upbringing, and to be able to share that with others is a blessing.
Full look STWD by Pull&Bear
Do you find similarities between preparing a dish and preparing for a runway show?
There are a lot of similarities between preparing a dish and preparing for a runway show. When preparing a dish, you must make sure that the quantities of the ingredients used, the cook time, the presentation, is always the same. You dont want to serve an inconsistent product, and you want the end result to be nearly identical every time. Its a lot of attention to detail and meticulousness. The same goes for the runway. You dont want to walk at different tempos everytime you practice your walk. You want your walk to be concise and on point. For both you have to stay composed, and not let your nerves get to you. If i get nervous when im cooking, i might burn the pie or top it wrong. If i get nervous on the runway i might trip and fall or mess up the flow of the show.
How has your multicultural background influenced your creative approach, both in the kitchen and in fashion?
One way my background has influenced my creative approach can be seen in one of the calzones I created for the menu at Scarrs. One of my favorite things to eat growing up was guava and cheese empanadas, or guava and cheese pastries. Naturally, I created a dessert calzone for the menu which was inspired by the food of my youth. Its a calzone with guava jam and sweet ricotta inside, topped off with powdered sugar. Its not the typical ingredients you find in a calzone, but its the food of my youth, and it blends together perfectly. Im half japanese and half brazilian, and working with a designer as amazing as Willy who allows us to be ourselves and reminds us that who we are, and what we are is beautiful is truly a blessing.
Full look STWD by Pull&Bear
STWD by Pull&Bear celebrates young, bold, and emerging talents. How do you connect with that mission?
I think its amazing that Pull&Bear celebrates young, bold and emerging talents, and am so grateful to be a part of this project. Staying true to myself and being myself is way in which I connect to that mission. I dont look like your typical model, Im not super tall, im covered in tattoos up to my neck, I have a big scar across my face, I dont come from a fashion or modeling background, but that doesnt matter and it doesnt change the fact that im going to keep being me. Since paris, my modeling career has started to take off and I am so grateful that im having these experiences at 24 and I hope i get to continue having them.
Was there a defining moment when you realized that modeling could be more than just a side project? There isnt a singular defining moment in which I realized modeling could be more than a side project, but one was returning to New York after paris and singing with my agency. It made me realize that it wasnt a fluke, and to have so many people believe in me and tell me that i belonged also helpd. I think what really solidified it though was when my shoot for hero magazine came out and i saw myself in print for the first time. I cried when i saw that, because i just coudlnt believe this was real life and that it was me in that photo.
As someone who blends disciplines so naturally, what would you say to young people who feel pressured to choose only one path?
I would tell them to take it easy. You dont have to decide what you want to do with your life at this very moment. But also dont force anything. Listen to what your body, heart, and mind are telling you. Ive pivoted my life so many times in such a short period of time, I dont know what the future holds for me, and I dont know what life will look like a year from now, I just trust that everything will work out the way its supposed to. Its never too late to change your career, its never too late to chase your dreams.
How do you stay grounded and authentic in industries that can be very image-focused?
One of the ways I stay grounded and authentic by always trying to always be of service to other people. I create a list of things I am grateful for in my life regularly, and give thanks to the people in my life who have helped me along the way. I take the focus off myself and what I want or desire and try to shift that energy into helping others and being of service to others. I also recognize that the opportunities I have can vanish as quickly as they appeared, and so reminding myself to stay humble and grateful keeps me grounded. As fun and exciting as modeling is, it is still a job. And so really looking at it through the lens of it as being work, rather than fun and games, allows me to focus and continue to show up on time, work hard, and do my best to do a good job. Thats not to say I dont have fun on set, or joke around etc, but I do take any job that I do very seriously, and I do not want to let down the people who have believed in me and brought me to this point.
Full look STWD by Pull&Bear
What inspires you most these days — a dish, a song, a place, a look?
There are several things that inspire me in my life. My mom is one of the biggest and most constant inspirations in my life. The books Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain, 32 Yolks by Eric Ripert, and The Alchemist by Paolo Coehlo are ones i constantly reread and motivate me to keep on working hard. Walking through the neighborhood I grew up in also inspires me, because it reminds me of how far ive come, and how far i still have to go.
Has your experience in the fashion world changed the way you cook or present your food?
I wouldnt say its changed the way I cook or present my food. Before fashion and modeling i was always pretty anal about attention to detail and making sure everything is done correctly and as close to perfection as possible and that hasnt changed much.
What does versatility mean to you, both personally and professionally?
To me versatility means being able to adapt and change based on the situation youre presented with. There are things in life you cannot control, but you can control the way in which you interact with and react to those things. I think versatility is important and applicable to all facets of life, personal and professional, and once you understand how to utilize that skill correctly life becomes much easier.
Full look STWD by Pull&Bear
In what ways do you hope to evolve in the next few years — as a chef, a model, or maybe even something new?
I hope that I can continue to perfect my craft as a chef and improve a tiny bit everyday. I would also love to help Scarr open up pizzerias across the world, and share the beauty of New York style pizza with everyone. Id love to be able to travel and see the world, and cook in different cities, and share my knowledge of pizza with different people, and just connect with others. In relation to modeling, id like to just continue to get booked, and hopefully work on cool projects with cool people! Maybe get a few campaigns! As for something new, im not too sure. It would be cool to have a cooking show, or be part of a show in which Id get go to different parts of the world, and learn about their culture, their cuisine, and share that with everyone. I think food connects people with each other in ways that is so beautiful and being able to share that with others would be and already is a blessing.
What message would you like people to take away from your journey?
Do not tell yourself you cant do something. Dont limit yourself, or put yourself in a box. You are capable of doing whatever it is that you dream of doing. Go out there and chase your dreams, do what makes you happy. Dont be ashamed or afraid to fail. Ive been ghosted by agencies multiple times before getting signed, dropped from so many shoots, failed at so many things. I have consistently failed and messed up so many things and times in my life. But you get through it, and you keep on going, and before you know it youre one step away from achieving your dreams. Just try to keep a positive mindset, love yourself and others, treat yourself and others with kindness, and work hard at what you want. Just because something isnt easy, doesnt make it impossible. If you truly believe that you can do something, you will be able to do it, so dont give up when things are difficult.
If STWD is about spotlighting the next generation, how do you see yourself contributing to that future?
Im always open and available to answer any questions people have for me, or give guidance to anyone interested in pursuing a career in what i do, or anyone pursuing their dreams.
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