I caught up with Dean Newcombe who is a sweet English chap from Nottingham who’s  living in Japan. He switches from volunteering in Ishinomaki in Tohoku to modeling in Tokyo.

We’re kind of motivated by the same thing, humanitarian issues, so it was great to meet Dean who will model for People Tree’s next collection and maybe do a film with us – watch this space!

Dean has been a permanent fixture in Japan after his first modeling assignment there, he heard about the horrific tsunami and jumped on a plane to come and help. He was told by relations not to come – it was dangerous, ‘what would he do with his, at that time, limited Japanese language skills?’ they asked. He said as he was strong and could move stuff and that’s exactly what he did. This man has moved buildings worth of oily sludge, clearing out the foundations of houses covered by the Tsunami, so they can be rebuilt. He’s also coordinated hundreds of volunteers both Japanese and foreigners.

We’re so looking forward to working with Dean! Read his blog – ‘Intrepid model adventures’