Let us start with what made you dive into the fashion business after all your other great successes in the entertainment field? What is your global message? And what does the Arqueonautas brand stand for?
I am the ambassador of the Arqueonautas brand since its style represents my personal lifestyle and how I live and where I go.
Were you actively involved in the designing and production process of the Arqueonautas collection?
I’m not designing. I will look at things and further decide which clothes are interesting to me and they will make those. I will only look at things. I am not a designer. I shouldn’t take credit for the designing part.
Let us talk about the brand. What is your mission? What does the brand stand for?
For me, I am always on the go. And if I get out of the water, I want to put those clothes on. If I have to get on a plane and go, I pack those clothes with me and go. I’m not the movie star. I’m not the musician. I’m not the director. I’m just a person. And so it’s how I live my life.
Great! If you can successfully do what you want, it’s some kind of freedom that you create for yourself.
Yeah, and I think sometimes people like this style and some of them don’t. But for those who are often outside in nature, this brand of clothes make sense.
Does it somehow represent your lifestyle? The California way of living?
Yeah, but the clothes that we design are for all around the world. They are compatible for the very cold climates and for the very hot climates as well. And so it’s a lifestyle. It’s not an act. It is real, haha.
What would you like to achieve in marketing this brand. What is your target market?
I think we’d like to expand it into different countries. But only the people decide that. You know, it would be nice to have it reach America. We started here in Germany. I would like to see it expand.
What advice would you give the RUNWAY readers to support your idea to protect the oceans? I heard you would love to support the Ocean charities with the Arqueonautas brand.
Yeah, I think everybody feels that way. I bet you want to support it too. I’m the same. In fact, I have for the last 25 years. I have invested in technologies that try to protect the ocean from high levels of pollution, oil spills and things like that. So those things have always interested me. And that’s why the money that I make, after I take care of my family, I have invested in trying to solve a few problems.
That’s a great way to put it!
Yes, I can take the money I made and I can put it in really smart places and make more money. But I have not been that smart. I have chosen to take my money and put it into things that maybe will work or maybe won’t. But if they do work, they can make a difference in the world.That makes you not just a good-looking person but also a beautiful person! Haha, that makes me a stupid person! It’s a great gesture and beautiful homage to the beauty of nature! I always like to do that. You know, in life sometimes you go, “what if?” What if we could fix this? Wouldn’t that be a cool thing? But people say, I don’t know. That’s a big problem. I’ll follow up with… “but what if we could, maybe I should try.” I’m only trying to do what I can do in the world. That’s all. Not more important, not less important than other people. It’s just what I can do. But I have done that since I was a little boy. I just decide to do things.
So you always know exactly what you’re doing and you go for it?
Yes, because if something doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean you should stop.
What are your future goals after having achieved success in so many different fields and projects?
I think if I am going to make films, I should try to make films that sometimes can have a bigger meaning than just entertainment. Not all films, because I love to be just entertained too. I love crashes and all that stuff as well. Sometimes a movie can touch your heart. Sometimes a movie can change the way you think. And I always liked that, when something changes me a little bit. Either I meet a person or I read a book, and I feel like, oh, that changed me a little bit. And I like that, when that happens.
Will you tell us what your favorite role or project has been to date? And what gives you the most joy nowadays?
Yes, I have been very lucky I have been able to do the things I wanted to do or try to do. I’ve had a measure of success that people have acknowledged around the world. For me, I don’t have to do anymore, but for me life is not over. Some people ask me, “Why don’t you retire?” Why would I retire? I still like to play. But what’s most important is that movies aren’t the only thing in my life. Music isn’t the only thing in my life. My interests in life are very wide!
Thank you and all the best for your future plans! We will keep our eyes on it! Hopefully our paths will cross again sometime.
Yes, I’m sure we will!
Published in the Fall 2014 issue of RUNWAY.