Jean-Luc Joseph, a young Caribbean model from the twin-island state of Trinidad and Tobago, has conquered some of fashion’s biggest catwalks. He has worked with a number of major brands such as Bottega Veneta, The North Face x Gucci, Balmain, and Giorgio Armani. He is seriously pursuing photography among other creative passions.

1. Jean-Luc Joseph for Balmain SS23 & Haute Couture Spring 2023 Show. Photo from Models.com..
2. Jean-Luc Joseph for Bottega Veneta FW22. Photo by Alessandro Lucioni.
3. Jean-Luc Joseph for Bottega Veneta SS23. Photo by Filippo Fior on Vogue Runway.

Tell us about where you’re from and what your upbringing was like.
I’m from East Trinidad, a small town called Sangre Grande. I spent the majority of my life in that town and in another part of that town called Sangre Chiquito. I was a creative child. Back then the internet was still fresh so it wasn’t like it is today; I was very much outside, being physical, creating. I was into a lot of mediums: drawing, painting, anything arts and crafts.

What was your journey into modeling like?
I didn’t consider it a possibility career-wise. I almost didn’t consider it a reality. I knew that I didn’t want to do a conventional job and I wanted to go down a more creative route. My family was conventional, in favor of job security and climbing that corporate ladder. I wanted to have multiple careers or multiple streams of income so I just had a brainstorming session. I really enjoyed photography, so I knew photography was going to be one aspect of it.

Guerrilla marketing and influencers and these things were big, and I wanted to pursue that so, I could build a personal brand and leverage that by working with different high-end clients. I also wanted to have my own creative agency and to start my own fashion house. Those were the four main things and every decision I made since deciding to branch out into those four things led me to this position.

I was scouted during the pandemic. I was doing photography and posted a self-portrait series on Instagram. My current modeling agency, 28Models, stumbled upon my Instagram posts and from there they were interested in representing me as a model. The contract was sent out and immediately I saw that as an opportunity to fill in the space of building that personal brand because I didn’t know how I was gonna do it, so when that opportunity presented itself, I figured this is how I’m gonna do that.

1. & 2. Jean-Luc Joseph for Mr. Porter The Ultimate Buyers’ Guide To AW23’s Best Menswear. Photos by Dham Srifuengfung.
3. Jean-Luc Joseph for OAMC FW 2022 Campaign. Photo by Thibaut Grevet.

What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Initially, definitely breaking in [to the industry]. Coming from a country that does not necessarily have a fashion industry, it really does not prepare you for when you actually enter it. I think having a strong agency is important and it can prepare you the best you can, but until you go out there and experience it, you wouldn’t really know exactly what to expect. This is an industry where you have to understand and be able to deal with rejection. You’re getting judged for your physical appearance continuously. For me, that is one of the more challenging obstacles to overcome because if you’re not careful, it’ll affect your self-confidence and self-image.

I’m trying to adapt to fit the mold of an international model because there are levels to it. Because you can think, oh you’re a model, you look amazing, but it’s only when you go to the castings and see what top models look like, you see how they dress, how they carry themselves, their workout routine, their diet, all these different aspects of it, that you’re like, wow, okay, this is the big leagues. I don’t think I was necessarily prepared but I know what it is now, so I’m going to adapt.

Let’s dig deeper into your point about having your self-esteem in order. Has your relationship with your physical appearance changed since becoming a model, and if so, in what way?
It has changed since becoming a model. One thing this industry does, it’s either gonna strengthen or break your confidence. And in my case it has definitely strengthened it. I remember before I left I couldn’t even hold a conversation with someone and look them in the eyes for more than three seconds. I was looking down; my confidence was not where it’s at right now. I think being able to navigate through the industry, being able to continuously do the castings and interviews definitely strengthens your confidence.

I’ve had opportunities early in my career when I had major options for major clients and some of them didn’t come through. I was devastated but I came to realize that the interest was there in the first place, and that’s amazing; and two, the opportunity is going to come back. I think through navigating that, traveling, meeting new people and having new experiences strengthens your confidence and improves your self-image.

1. Jean-Luc Joseph for OAMC FW 2022 Campaign. Photo by Thibaut Grevet.
2. Jean-Luc Joseph for Paul Smith FW 2022 Campaign. Photo by Johnny Dufort.
3. Jean-Luc Joseph for The North Face x Gucci in Elle Italia December 2021. Photos by Boris Camaca

Fashion has a lot to do with self-image and how you portray yourself. Do you think your personal style has changed since becoming a model?
Being in Trinidad, there's the rainy season and the dry season. So, you either wear summer clothes or still somewhat summer clothes and maybe a rain jacket. The change in environment [abroad] helps introduce layering and all these styling techniques. Also, being in the fashion capitals opens your eyes to the different categories of fashion. With that, you can identify what category resonates with you and it allows you to expand your personal style.

Has being from Trinidad and Tobago helped your career?
Yes, I’m always grateful to be from Trinidad & Tobago. I’m a proud citizen. Because the modeling world is so competitive, my nationality helps me stand out from the other models. The accent plays a big part because when you go into these interviews, normally it’s like five seconds. You could be waiting for two hours and you see the team for ten seconds. So, immediately when you walk in and they hear that accent, it tends to initiate a conversation: “Oh, where are you from?” Being from Trinidad helps with initiating conversation and you resonate with certain people because you have people like Maximilian Davis, current creative director of Ferragamo who is not directly from Trinidad but has roots in Trinidad, so whenever I see that team, we have something to connect on.

What was your first major photoshoot? What was that experience like?
I left [Trinidad] at the end of January 2022 and I had my first major shoot that December. This was an advertorial for Elle Italia, a The North Face x Gucci Elle Italia special. We shot in the Italian Alps. For me it was a special shoot because it was my first-time experiencing snow and visiting that part of the world. And what made it more special was that there was another model from the Caribbean; she was from Barbados. It was also her first time experiencing something like this, so I had someone to relate to.

It was an amazing experience. We were well taken care of, production was on point, and we basically had a free vacation day before we started shooting. We were at an amazing cabin resort in the mountains so it wasn’t a nerve-wracking experience. I did have some experience prior to that because I had worked with the team before and had done some other jobs. So, all in all, that’s one of my favorite shoots and one of my most memorable ones, and my first big shoot.

Could you pinpoint the moment you started to feel comfortable in front of the camera?
I’m in an interesting position, being both a photographer and a model. Being a photographer and having experience behind the camera helped me when I’m in front of the camera, because automatically, I understand concepts of lighting so I know the shot will look better if I’m facing a certain direction. That aspect helps me.

In addition to that, most shoots that I go on always great direction. They’re clear on what they want and what they’re looking for. Obviously, each shoot is different. Even with e-com, for instance, it can be vastly different because you work with brands like Bottega and it’s like standing still, 360, twenty-five minutes for one look because there are these minute details that they’re adjusting. And then you have the opposite when you do e-com for Zara and it’s more free-flowing, a little bit more relaxed, and you have a bit more movement. So, direction really plays a big part in that and I think so far I’ve had great direction on shoots so there wasn’t any need for me to necessarily be nervous. I think you’re always gonna have that aspect of nerves the night before, but I think it’s more excitement than nerves.

Jean-Luc Joseph for The North Face x Gucci in Elle Italia December 2021. Photos by Boris Camaca

Was there a point where you looked around and said “Wow, I made it. I really made it.”?
That is not the case. I don’t think it’s going to be the case for a while. I think there’s going to be levels to it. I guess my first “I made it” moment was doing the exclusive for Matthieu Blazy’s Bottega Veneta 2022 Fall/Winter collection. I think right after that, the reason I had that initial thought was [because] that was a career-changing, career-defining moment. So, at that point, it wasn’t even that I’d made it, it was like okay, I’m about to go to the next level. I think of it as stages and levels rather than like I’ve made it. Because there are always brands to work with, always artists to work with. But I would say, to your point, that show was that point for me.

What was it like sharing a runway with Kate Moss?
That was such a legendary moment. I’m not even gonna fool you because I didn’t know she was gonna be there. When we did rehearsals, coming back out to the door where we were backstage, I had seen her looking at the runway and she was saying “Oh wow, it’s so long.” But in my mind, I’m not trying to fangirl or anything; it’s calm, it’s cool. It’s Kate Moss, a living legend. And then, when we were changing, I saw her changing into her looks. And then I saw her at the front of the line and I’m like there’s no way I’m walking with Kate Moss right now. There’s absolutely no way. It was absolutely surreal and unbelievable. And I remember we had a quick exchange of words right before going out on the runway. I think it still hasn’t really hit me to be honest, that this is where we are and this is what we’re doing.

Tell me how your family has reacted to your success.
I had a job before I left Trinidad and I wanted to pursue my plan so I quit. I had saved up enough capital to get my equipment, then I quit. And to my family it was a bit confusing because to them, I had a solid job, I had job security: why would I leave to do photography? They were a bit uncertain about my future plans. But a key moment for them was when we did a shot with Mrs. Sharon Clark-Rowley, wife of Trinidad & Tobago’s Prime Minister, Dr. Keith Rowley] for HER Magazine, a[weekly insert in the Trinidad Express Newspaper], I think then they were like, wow, this is actually a career, this is something that’s viable. Because for them something like photography, they look at that like a hobby, like it’s not an actual career. To take that risk and have the risk pay off, was an amazing feeling. And I think they were already accustomed to my life as a photographer so that when I said I wanted to model, it was not a big deviation for them. They just continued being supportive.

For my mom, when I told her that, I was a bit surprised because she was extra supportive. It was a bit shocking. But the reason she was being so supportive was because she wanted to pursue modeling when she was younger. She had the opportunity to but she couldn’t take it is because of her parents. She said to me, she’s going to live through me with my modeling career. And I think that’s what made me push a bit harder. All in all, they are supportive and proud. They tune in every time I have my interviews back home.

What is it like when you’re back home? Does your mom still make you take the trash out?
Coming home is like a snap to reality. Because you’re over here, getting presidential treatment from the plane to the car, to the hotel, you’re relating to Drake lyrics out here [laughs]. Then you’re back home and it’s like “okay, you are my son; it’s lovely to see you but let’s get this yard cleaned, let’s get this garbage out.” And I don’t expect anything else. I live that way over here as well, so it’s like a normal life, so when I go back home I don’t expect to be treated in any special way. It’s not that deep. But it’s always a bit of a culture shock. You come off a runway to then come back home and just go back to life two years ago like nothing changed.

What are your three favorite places in Trinidad & Tobago?
Any beach for sure (Las Cuevas, Maracas, Macqueripe), home, getting home-cooked meals and all that. And Studio28 [photography studio], working on my photography.

Do you consider yourself as a role model?
Me, personally, I would say no, but that would be a bit delusional of me to say that. So, my answer would be yes and because of the many positive messages that I get from aspiring models and creatives back home. Messages [being] very supportive of what I’m doing out here, being very proud, aspiring to be in the position that I am, asking for a blueprint of how I got here. Based on these messages and responses from people I would say that I’m somewhat of a role model to the creatives in Trinidad.

What advice would you give aspiring models?
One, get some clean digitals done against a plain wall, in fitted clothing, natural light. Not in direct sun, we don’t want you squinting. And just look up what digitals and polaroids are and have those done. Take those digitals or polaroids and submit them to agencies. You can find all the agencies on Models.com. When you get some interest from some agencies, go from there. Those are your first steps for getting representation as a model, that would be the approach that I would take.

Fortunately, I was lucky enough to be scouted online, but that does not hurt as well. Two, know that you are a brand and you should market yourself as such. Find three brands that your look resonates with, correlate your brand to those brands [in terms of] how you dress and how you post. And just see how people in the social media space that resonate with those brands [post] and copy that format. That increases your chances [of getting discovered] and obviously when you’re posting, tag the agencies and brands, and there’s a possibility that you can get scouted.

I would also say don’t give up. You have to keep going at it. It is an industry with a lot of rejection, yes, but it’s also an industry with a lot of opportunity. You only fail when you give up. If it’s something you’re very passionate about, and you’ve seen your look and it [reflects] the looks you’re seeing on the runways, on the catalogs, on e-coms, and you think you really have a shot at it, continue pursuing it.

What’s next for you?
What is not next for me because I’m doing everything. Right now, modeling-wise I’m preparing for the next season of Fashion Week. This is the first season that I’m going to be doing all the cities. I say that every season but then we end up prioritizing jobs and we end up missing castings and fittings and all these things. But I really want to. This is the first season I’m really trying to lock in on Fashion Week and do some good shows. Because previously we’ve been pre-confirmed for a few shows and we just go and do that and then do some jobs. So, this is the first season I’m trying to do the full circuit modeling-wise. Photography-wise, I’m working with a couple teams right now, improving the portfolio and I’m in conversation with some clients, some editors, and some publications. So hopefully soon you guys are going to be seeing some amazing imagery. I’m working on a menswear collection launching in the middle of next year for Fall/Winter. I might launch it before that in the spring/summer.

Modeling IG: @iamjeanlucjoseph
https://instagram.com/iamjeanlucjoseph?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==

Photography IG: @jeanlucjosephphoto
https://instagram.com/jeanlucjosephphoto?igshid=NGVhN2U2NjQ0Yg==

Models.com Profile:
https://models.com/models/jean-luc-joseph

Article by Ren Wilson, Contributor, PhotoBook Magazine
Tearsheets by Chenglin Qu, Graphic Design Intern, PhotoBook Magazine

Caribbean Catwalk: How Trinidadian Model Jean-Luc Joseph Came to Rule the Runway