When I met Tymeron Carvalho around 13 years ago, I knew this talented young boy would make a success of himself. At 16 years he starred in TV commercials, which he gave up, continuing with his studies and thereafter going to Fashion College. Tymo has now made a name for himself in designing, modelling, a winner of many pageants, his love for bharata natyam and training up-and-coming models. 

Tell me something about yourself, including your designing, modelling, model training and Bharatha Natyam.
Tymeron Carvalho is my design label.  I have always been passionate about creating clothing and, over the years, I have designed formals, weddings and menswear.

In addition to designing, I have also enjoyed modelling. It has been a fun experience for me and it has also served as a way to boost my ego in times that were stressful and for me to stay focused on taking care of my body. Through my experiences in modeling and designing, I have realized the importance of nurturing and mentoring the next generation of models and personalities, with a focus on knowledge and growth.
As for Bharatha Natyam.  Dance has been a part of my life since I was in school but I had discontinued it for a while. However, with the guidance of my teacher, Abirami Patkunam, I have rediscovered my passion for Bharatha Natyam and dedicated myself to it with full focus. It has been a fulfilling journey, and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue my dance practice and strive for excellence in this traditional dance form.

Overall, my pursuits in designing, modelling, and Bharatha Natyam are all driven by my passion, creativity and commitment to continuous learning and growth. I strive to create meaningful and impactful work in all these areas and make a positive contribution to the respective fields.

What are your hobbies or interests outside of the above?
I have a few hobbies that bring me joy and fulfilment. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I developed a newfound interest in gardening and listening to music, particularly vintage South Indian music and Tamil cinema songs. I find solace in the melodies, rhythms and rich cultural heritage of these musical genres and they provide me with a sense of nostalgia and connection to my roots.

Another hobby that I enjoy is cooking. I love experimenting in the kitchen and creating dishes from memory, trying to recreate the flavors and techniques that my mother used in her cooking. It is a way for me to honour my heritage and keep traditions alive, while also expressing my creativity through culinary art. I find joy in the process of cooking, from selecting fresh ingredients to experimenting with flavours and presentation, and the satisfaction of enjoying a delicious meal that I have prepared with love and care.

These hobbies outside of my main pursuits allow me to relax, express my creativity and explore different aspects of my cultural heritage and personal interests.

What is your daily schedule like and how many hours do you have for yourself?
My daily routine starts early with a 4 am wake-up call that sets the tone for my day. My prepping begins with planning my meals, taking care of my cleaning tasks and following my cherished religious rituals. I next head to the gym, prioritizing my physical well-being and starting the day with an energizing workout. 
Once I am back home, I dive into my design work, dedicating focused hours until 5 pm. After work, I make sure to carve out time for my extracurricular activities, including my hobbies and indulging in some TV or iPad time, depending on my mood. An early dinner, while I unwind and relax.

Do you work out at the gym every day?
I prioritize my physical health by hitting the gym every day as part of my routine. Whether it is early in the morning or after a busy day of work, I make sure to set aside time for exercise. From cardio to strength training, I put in the effort to improve my fitness, increase my strength and boost my energy levels. I appreciate the benefits of regular exercise, including improved mood, increased focus and enhanced overall well-being. My commitment to working out at the gym every day and maintaining a healthy lifestyle and prioritizing my physical health has been the key to every aspect of my life.

Are you willing to travel?
If I was offered the opportunity to do international shows for both modelling and pageants, I would decline the offer for pageants. I have had my fair share of pageant experiences and feel that it is not something I would like to pursue further. However, I would consider an opportunity to model internationally. Modelling is a passion of mine and I would be thrilled to showcase my skills and talents on an international stage, representing my craft and culture with pride. I am open to new opportunities and would be excited to explore the world of international modelling if given a chance.

What is one professional goal you have for yourself?
One professional goal I have for myself is to establish and grow my own clothing-related brand. Design has been a central part of my life, and I am passionate about creating unique and innovative clothing designs that resonate with people. I aspire to build a successful brand that reflects my creative vision and values that provides high-quality and sustainable fashion choices for consumers. I am committed to dedicating my time, effort and skills towards this goal and I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that come with building and growing my own clothing brand.

Where do you see yourself in five years?
In five years, I see myself having travelled extensively and experienced diverse cultures around the world. I am particularly fascinated with South India and I hope to have explored that region more extensively, immersing myself in its rich heritage, art and traditions. Alongside my travels, I envision dedicating more time and effort to my model school and clothing label. I aspire to further develop my model school, nurturing aspiring models and providing them with valuable training and guidance. Additionally, I am committed to growing my clothing label, creating unique designs and expanding its reach to fashion-conscious consumers. I am excited about the possibilities that the future holds and look forward to realizing these goals in the coming years.

What is your greatest weakness and how do you work to overcome it? What are your strengths?
One of my weaknesses is overcompensating at the gym. I often find myself obsessing over my workouts and focusing on them more than anything else. While staying physically fit is important to me, I sometimes struggle with finding balance and not getting overly fixated on my exercise routine. To overcome this weakness, I make a conscious effort to prioritize other aspects of my life, such as work, hobbies and personal relationships and ensure that I maintain a healthy balance between my fitness goals and other responsibilities.

On the other hand, my greatest strength lies in my ability to connect with people. This strength has served me well in both the personal and business areas of my life. It has helped me excel in public relations and grow my presence on social media, allowing me to thrive in those arenas. I appreciate the value of building genuine relationships, listening to others and fostering connections, which have opened doors and provided me with opportunities for growth and success. I strive to continue leveraging this strength to build meaningful connections and create positive impacts in my personal and professional endeavours.

Your social media success?
My social media success has been quite fortunate, as I have had the opportunity to follow and meet some of the most successful social media personalities, both locally and internationally. This has given me valuable insights into the world of social media, making it easier for me to navigate and understand the industry. I strive to provide authentic and interesting content with attractive trilingual captions, which I have found to be lacking in the Sri Lankan social media landscape. I believe that language should not be a barrier to anyone and I am proud to have overcome that hurdle in my social media journey. Building genuine connections with my followers and creating engaging content has contributed to my success in the realm of social media, and I am grateful for the opportunities it has brought my way.

What are you passionate about?
I am deeply passionate about various forms of art. From painting to sculpting, exploring movie details to keeping up with new trends, dancing, music, singing and any sort of stage performances.  I find immense joy and fulfilment in engaging with different art forms. Art, in all its diverse expressions, has the power to inspire and captivate me like nothing else. I am constantly seeking out opportunities to indulge in my passions and immerse myself in the world of creativity. It is through my love for art that I find inspiration, motivation and a sense of purpose in life.

Photo courtesy: Tymo