Krystle Gohel - Interview

The ‘lad’s mag’ industry is, to the outsider, a knot of male editors with an un-politically correct sense of humour, chasing after bleached blonde women with fake breasts - among other things. In reality, what’s found is a community of arguably the nicest and most down to earth people within the magazine world, one of whom I am lucky enough to meet today.

Krystle Gohel is a former Page3 girl (she has over thirty Page3 appearances under her belt) and current lads mag hottie-turned-make-up artist. She is, quite frankly, the total opposite of what I had in mind. Her chatty, friendly, quirky comments are delivered in a girly Manchester accented voice and you know right away that she is oblivious of her charms. She is a mixture of contradictions; scatty but professional, indecisive but determined, and innocently sweet but exotically sexy. She is dressed in a way which suggests she is completely comfortable with her body and her image, and manages to make a black vest, jeans and a scarf look ridiculously sexy. Her Greek and Spanish heritage gives her a striking look not often found among glamour girls, but ensured she won the Sun’s Page3 Idol competition in 2003, keeping male fans very happy for the duration of her successful two-year stint as one of the paper’s most in demand girls. That same year, she went on to win FHM’s Student of the Year, earning her a solid place within the profession of glamour modeling. As none of this was planned nor expected, she was suddenly obliged to choose between her university education and her fledging modeling career.
“I started modeling half way through my degree in Fashion Marketing, then [after several course changes] changed to HND, finally completing it. I decided to do modeling full time, but was not satisfied after a few months of not using my brain, and went back to university!”
She went on to graduate in 2006, aged 23, with a degree in Media Design at Manchester Metropolitan University.

We meet at a halfway point, in the home of her model friend with whom she shared this very flat with during her early London days. I can instantly tell that the small space holds many happy, if not so well remembered memories for the girls. Photos of parties, holidays, festivals and general shenanigans crowd the walls in the tiny but neat kitchen area. We settle into a bright yellow sofa propped up against a clean white wall, and she kicks off her shoes, curling her legs underneath her. Her wide innocent smile and inviting body language make me warm to this unlikely glamour star instantly.

A year ago, after struggling to know what to do with her life and unsure of the perfect career choice, Krystle decided to throw herself back into the magazine industry – but with a different goal: “I moved to London and got a full time job, which I hated, to cover my rent, and took evening courses for a diploma in make-up and hair.”
She has now settled in London and has been an in-demand make-up artist for just under a year. Does she feel that her modeling career gave her a head start in finding work? “Yes, I would totally agree.” She pauses to take a lady-like drag of her cigarette. “I am very fortunate to know people in the industry, and they are my friends, which gave me the chance to show I am good at what I do.”

Indeed, this business is all about helping each other out. The models, stylists, and photographers alike have such a sense of passion and frivolity in what they do which makes the glamour industry so inviting to so many girls. One independent men’s magazine, Front, commission Krystle as make-up artist in almost every photo shoot they organize. The photos are often shot by former Page3 girl-turned-photographer Zoë McConnell, another close friend of Krystle’s. And you can bet your bottom dollar that the cover girl they are working with is a close acquaintance.
“I think my job is the best job. I love it! I am very lucky to meet the people I do and have the opportunity to work with creatives alike. It’s taken nearly 10 years and several university courses to get here, but I wouldn’t change a thing!”

After just under a year of working, Krystle can count herself as a regular contributor to Maxim and Front, among others. She recently worked for the Guinness World Records where she met the woman with the longest legs and the smallest man in the world, calling it “quite an eye opener!”
What makes her instantly likeable is her grounded attitude and youthful enthusiasm. She tells me that for all the girls in college training to become a part of the industry, very few are employed. This is because, quite simply, someone who is older, with experience in the same or similar field, will always get the work first and foremost. In this way she is glad that it took her so long to find a job which makes her happy.

“Every make-up job I do is my best achievement!” She suddenly becomes animated with enthusiasm, and her eyes sparkle. “It is so rewarding when you know that you put 110% into your work and everyone is pleased with the whole outcome.”
It is clear that she has indeed found her perfect career; one that suits her care-free, excitable, creative personality down to the ground. The only downside she can think of, after a wrinkle of her nose, is the fact that the weight of her make-up case and the London tubes cause some problems. “I’m quite small and it’s very rare for a kind gentleman to help you up or down the stairs during London rush hour!”

What else would I expect, then, when I ask her the obligatory where-in-five-years question? A sudden widening of the eyes, followed by the exclamation: “I want to be the best make-up artist in the WORLD!” seems to establish her point, and she springs off her seat to make us some more tea.