by Pia Echevarria photography Joseph Ong art styling & creative direction Mikey Sanchez grooming Omar Ermita
“I am the music. Dance with me.” – DJ DNile
When an Elite Milano model spins at one of Cebu’s “it” clubs and peels off his shirt to reveal a body that would put Robert Pattinson (and the rest of the Twilight boys) to shame, jaws are bound to drop in unabashed appreciation. True enough, the recent Levi’s Roadwear Party Tour packed a choo choo train of steam as DJ DNile, one half of the live-performing dynamic duo that is Mogue, had the crowd in a frenzy over his sexy moves and even sexier mixes.
DNile, or Devon Nile Summerhayes, is an English bloke who, at only twenty-three, can claim to have deejayed for the hippest events across the globe. But if there’s anyone who can bare it all for large audiences, it’s Devon. Before he had his headphones on professionally, he was a molecular biology honors student and varsity basketball-team captain at Imperial College London. Though already balancing basketball and a degree at one of the world’s top ten universities, it didn’t take long for him to lean towards a dynamic career in fashion when Elite Milano Management—the same prestigious agency of supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio and Coco Rocha—signed him.
Since then, Devon has made a splash in major (and some very provocative) ad campaigns, TV commercials and runway shows for both top designer and commercial brands—Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Calvin Klein, Ermenegildo Zegna, Christian Audigier, Malo, Topman, Nokia, Livon and Sony Ericsson to name a few.
“Working in the industry has been amazing, especially being a fashion enthusiast as well as someone who enjoys to travel and experience new places and cultures,” he shares.
Deejaying, on the other hand, is something that Devon has always gravitated to: “I began at around thirteen or fourteen whilst in secondary school. I come from a very diverse music background. From being raised on my parents’ Reggae, Drum and Bass, Swing, House, Funk and Soul, to helping pioneer the UK Grime and Hip Hop scene between 2001 and 2005 with my then music clique, Flame On Family a.k.a. Level 600—a group that has performed on radio stations and at events throughout London. Grime is what in fact spawned the new electro sensation that is Dubstep.”
Now, combining his business acumen, fashion experience and passion for music, Devon co-owns Mogue Entertainment (www.MogueENT.com) with fellow “Moguer” and partner-in-crime, Sean Phillip a.k.a. DJ Monk Jungle. On the surface, Mogue is a live-performing music entity—touring the world to bring fun and enjoyment to the masses. Invade the party scene Mogue has, with its strong presence in Singapore, Milan, London and Hollywood. Its events have even been attended by the likes of A-listers Rihanna, Paris Hilton, David Beckham and Janet Jackson.
Behind the scenes, Mogue Entertainment is a creative consultancy and production company currently producing several humanitarian projects which include concerts, festivals, touring events and even a 3D CGI animated film.
“These past three years, I have focused all my efforts into this amazing joint venture and life ambition with my brother from another mother, the super talented Sean Phillip. What we do can only be defined through our slogan, ‘Bettering our Planet through Entertainment,’” Devon says.
The company’s next conquest? Brazil’s vibrant São Paulo, where Devon was off to after Mogue’s Asian tour. When asked what lessons he has picked up during the course of his profession, he simply states, “It’s completely true of the correlation between traveling and life-experience. Through my travels I have been humbled, gained wisdom, and most of all I have opened my mind to the entirety of possibilities.”
Fortunately, before Mr. Summerhayes left Cebu, we got intimate with him for a shoot at a private beach house in Mactan. He didn’t need much direction as he stepped in front of the camera and fixed us with a gaze that was hotter than the smoldering midday sun.
If eyes were enough to express, we saw young; we saw fiery; and I swear we saw determined. Yes, this was someone who backed up his goods with a greater purpose.
PILLOW TALK
• Do you have a girlfriend?
Indeed, I’m in a three- going on four-year relationship and very happy.
• What’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever done for her? Our second anniversary trip to Paris was very special.
• What would be the ultimate adventure for you? One adventure I am set on fulfilling is to exit our thermosphere and look back upon planet Earth.
• What is your favorite vacation spot?
Can’t really answer that as I’ve not been everywhere, but I am very fond of Sicily and Lake Como in Italy.
• What would you wear on a regular day?
I change it up all the time. I wear a mix of urban, couture and prep.
• How do you keep fit?
Mainly from basketball and working out, either at the gym or outside.
• What makes a person sexy?
I’d have to say confidence, intelligence, drive and curves in the right places.
• What’s on your iPod?
Everything you can imagine, but mostly Hip Hop, R and B, Neo-Soul, many House and Electronic genres, and you may be surprised to find a lot of Jazz and Swing on there too—I love the double bass.
Check out the behind-the-scenes HERE.
