Joan Smalls — The Puerto Rican Sensation That Brought Back The Supermodel
Joan Smalls was born July 11, 1988 in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. After graduation from college, she moved to New York City to model, and signed with Elite Model Management. In 2009, she left Elite to join IMG Models.
In 2010 she walked for Givency’s Riccardo Tisci Haute Couture show.
After Givenchy, she worked with many of the top designers, including: Chanel, Prada, Gucci, Marc Jacobs, Tom Ford, Burberry, Lanvin, Missoni, Alexander Wang, Versace, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton,Jean Paul Gaultier, Fendi, Dior, Oscar De La Renta, and DVF.
Joan Smalls began working with Victoria’s Secret in 2010, and appeared in the their fashion shows from 2010 through 2015.
She has been featured on the cover of many fashion magazines, including: Italian, Australian, Japanese, Turkish, Brazilian, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and German editions of Vogue; the British, French, Dutch, South African, Turkish, and Italian editions of Elle; the South African, Mexican, and British editions of GQ; and the British, Brazilian, Bulgarian, and Thai editions ofHarper’s Bazaar. She has appeared on the cover of Pop, Glam Belleza Latina, Grazia, and Stylist. She has shared the cover of Vanity Fair as well, and on the cover of American Vogue.
Joan Smalls’ campaign work has included: Gucci eyewear, Chanel, Fendi, Fendi eyewear, Calvin Klein jeans, Givenchy, Givenchy eyewear, Roberto Cavalli, Lacoste, Gap, Ralph Lauren, Woolworths (South Africa), Balmain, Neiman Marcus, Ogilvy, Next, H&M, ICB,Giambattista Valli, David Yurman, Estée Lauder, Mercedes-Benz, Barneys New York, Ports 1961, Rag & Bone, Prabal Gurung, Hugo Boss, Hugo Boss Eyewear, Tiffany & Co.,Stella McCartney, Versace, Versace Eyewear, Missoni, and Missoni Eyewear, Marc Jacobs, Balmain, United Colors of Bennetton, Calvin Klein Underwear, Joe Fresh andDSQUARED2.
Quotes:
“I just want to continue to break barriers and to show the industry and the world that beauty is diverse, and you don’t have to be a certain stereotype to be beautiful.”
“A career high was when I did a cover for ‘W Magazine’s July issue with Steven Meisel. So few girls shoot with Meisel in their career, and a lot of people had told me I would never achieve that, so it was a dream come true.”
“I still get butterflies when I’m doing a runway show. The music starts, you’re wearing these gorgeous clothes and your nervous about your high heels, if your shoes are going to break, if your going to slip or do something wrong.”
“Fashion is part of our culture, and it’s about more than just a pretty dress.”
“I try not to go to sleep with makeup, because I think it clogs your pores. I always wash my face with something that contains salicylic acid.”
“I became obsessed watching fashion TV shows when I was a teenager and recognized that I had the height and body frame. I especially became hooked when I saw on ‘E! True Hollywood Story’ how much a model can make and how I can achieve a better living for my family and me.”
Joan Smalls In Person:
Notable Work:
Gucci eyewear, Chanel, Fendi, Fendi eyewear, Calvin Klein jeans, Givenchy, Givenchy eyewear, Roberto Cavalli, Lacoste, Gap, Ralph Lauren, Woolworths (South Africa), Balmain, Neiman Marcus, Ogilvy, Next, H&M, ICB,Giambattista Valli, David Yurman, Estée Lauder, Mercedes-Benz, Barneys New York, Ports 1961, Rag & Bone, Prabal Gurung, Hugo Boss, Hugo Boss Eyewear, Tiffany & Co.,Stella McCartney, Versace, Versace Eyewear, Missoni, and Missoni Eyewear, Marc Jacobs, Balmain, United Colors of Bennetton, Calvin Klein Underwear, Joe Fresh andDSQUARED2
