Joan Smalls

[fashionlover2001]

^ We'll see...

 

[AyeBritt]

So beautiful!

 

[Melly5525]

Makes that dress at Fendi look fierce.

 

[Nymphaea]

The Edit by Net-A-Porter
February 26, 2015

No Small Ambition
Model Joan Smalls
Photographer Santiago & Mauricio
Styling Tracy Taylor

‘Be the first black model to score a major fragrance campaign’ and ‘Cross over into Hollywood’ are just two entries on Joan Smalls’ extensive to-do list. NATALIE EVANS-HARDING meets a woman making her own way.

Joan Smalls, by her own admission, has competitive, overachiever tendencies. Regularly named as one of the hardest workers in the industry, she is prepared for whatever is required to be top of her game: ‘Always be ready’ is her motto.

While a model’s success is often down to nothing more than the alignment of fashion’s celestial bodies, Smalls has done everything possible to give herself the best chance to achieve. Overcoming rejection, racism and even severe scoliosis, Smalls reached the discriminating upper echelons of supermodel status last year. She has a degree in psychology, practices kickboxing, and says things like, “I don’t like showing my emotions.” Her self-control is intimidating: no caffeine; alcohol once a month; exercise every day; bed by 10.30pm.

“Yes,” Smalls says with a laugh, seated in a downtown Italian restaurant near her New York apartment, “I’ve had ‘intimidating’ before.” Her unshowy appearance today, though, suggests otherwise: an H&M knit, Rag & Bone jeans and Chloé boots lie beneath the huge parka from which she has just unwrapped herself. “I try to express being confident; putting out how you want the world to see you,” she reasons. “I believe everybody has a ‘F*** it!’ attitude, it’s just that sometimes you’re not in tune to feel it.”

Smalls’ voice is soft yet sure, conspiratorial over risotto balls and mozzarella. “[That attitude] comes from being in touch with your womanhood,” she continues, “and not being afraid of embracing it. Being Latina and growing up in Puerto Rico, it’s just part of our culture. Dancing at a young age, learning how to move your hips, being comfortable with your body, going to the beach in skimpy clothes… It was innate.”

Like most top models, Smalls is a chameleon, transitioning from purist pioneer to rock’n’roll rebel with ease. But one thing you will never see from her is self-doubt. “I don’t ever want people to see me as vulnerable. For me, it feels like a weakness,” she explains. “There are a lot of people always telling you: ‘No, you can’t do that, you can’t achieve it.’ So [I’m saying], ‘You know what, I can do it.’ Regardless of what somebody else is saying, you can still make it.”

But no matter how deep it is buried, Smalls’ vulnerability is there. Ask about the sacrifices she has made, and her first answer is her personal life. For models, especially ones as successful as Smalls, there is no such thing as a day-to-day routine. Earlier today, for example, she arrived home from a shoot in South Africa; tomorrow she flies to LA.

“You can never plan for anything, everything is up in the air. I have friends and good relationships, but I feel my personal...” she trails off. “It’s hard to schedule something fun because I’m all over the place. I feel like I’m always letting people down because I’m not there, or I’m too tired. It’s a bit of a sacrifice. But,” she refocuses, “you have to strike while the iron is hot.”

And strike she has. At just 26, five years since Givenchy asked her to walk its SS10 Couture show exclusively, Smalls has become the first Latina face of Estée Lauder, been named by Forbes as one of the world’s highest-earning models ($3 million last year), booked campaigns with Marc Jacobs, Chanel and Gucci, walked for Prada, Lanvin and Dior, and starred in the Pirelli calendar, twice. Impressive, but it’s not close to satisfying Smalls. She keeps an accomplishment to-do list on her cell phone, which she updates whenever she thinks of something bigger and better. “It’s like a catalogue for your life,” she teases. “You know, when you’re shopping, ‘No, I want that!’ or, ‘Oh, that would be nice, but in a different color!”

Smalls refuses, point blank, to be compared to any other model, past or present. She has no icons, she says, and names no contenders to her throne – she competes only with herself. “I admire and respect what [the Supermodels] do. When I was growing up, there was Linda, Naomi, Tyra, Heidi. And they worked hard for it. Nowadays, a girl gets two covers and [the industry is] like, ‘Oh, supermodel’. They throw it around too loosely to mean anything. Supermodels are not my role models, because I’m not modeling myself after them. There is no competition. I just want to be the best Joan Smalls.”

For someone who has worked so hard, bringing up the word ‘luck’ provokes some understandable chagrin. “[My career] was never given to me,” she says, gently rolling her eyes. “What is [down to] luck is genetics – I was born like this, my parents gave me these genes. But I worked my *** off and pushed myself and, even in the darkest moments, when I thought it wasn’t going to happen, I had to remain positive. People only see the glitz and glamor, but behind it comes a lot of sacrifice. So many tears, so much frustration.”

Alongside her friends Karlie Kloss and Cara Delevingne, Smalls starred on the September cover of US Vogue last year, with the cover line, The InstaGirls! “I don’t know what that means,” Smalls says when I mention the tag line. “We’re in a different time, where things have evolved. I don’t think it’s about things being instant; something instant just goes fast. I guess it comes from the word Instagram and social media – but it’s a double-edged sword… [Social media] is good for expressing yourself. You get to dispel stereotypes and assumptions; you can allow people into your world. But too much importance is placed on that – there’s more to life than having a lot of likes. It’s not validation of who you are; having more followers doesn’t make you a better model. But that doesn’t always register to the industry. Does [a big following] mean that you’re good to do what’s required?”

It is clear that Smalls has a genuine appreciation for the artistry and fantasy of fashion, over the politics and popularity games. “I find depth in my career from being surrounded by creative people,” she says. “I feel so good being able to make somebody smile, or to become a different persona. I always wanted to be in front of the camera entertaining. I just never knew it was going to be in modeling.”

But it won’t solely be through modeling if – when – Smalls gets her way. “Acting has been one of my biggest dreams since I was really young. I lose myself in films; when actors are able to make you feel that, it’s real talent, and I want to be a part of that. I want to experience it.” Is she auditioning already? “Yes,” she grins, visibly excited. She will divulge that her favorite director is Steve McQueen, but nothing more. “It’s a process, you know? Modeling has its stereotypes – people assume you’re just a pretty face. So I’m patient for the big picture.” And with that Freudian slip, the cheque arrives. “Come on, let’s split it,” she smiles, reaching for the bill.

It’s a good thing she keeps adding to that to-do list: at the rate she is going, she will have ticked it off within two years – and that’s no small thing.

net-a-porter

 

[AyeBritt]

She looks AMAZING!! And a great interview! I so agree with her when it comes to popularity, the term "Supermodel" being overused and not trying to be the next anyone but yourself. Joan will continue to reach new levels in her career and I hope she successfully crosses over to acting. BTW I guess that rumour of her auditioning for '12 years a slave' was true (Steve McQueen is her favorite director lol)

ALSO. I hope she gets a major fragrance contract. She's been saying she wants this since forever!!!

 

[Sensation]

Milan street style

aloveisblind.com

 

[fashionlover2001]

The article didn't mention or talk about her wanting to be the first 'Black' model to score a Fragrance Contract except for the heading.
Did they only put It in the heading to grab attention?. What's that about?

All I saw was :Smalls has become the first Latina face of Estée Lauder, and
"Being Latina and growing up in Puerto Rico, it’s just part of our culture. Dancing at a young age, learning how to move your hips, being comfortable with your body, going to the beach in skimpy clothes… It was innate.”


The photos look wonderful, btw.

 

[AyeBritt]

^^^^^ they talked about her pulling out her to do list and she talked about constantly updating it. Plus the story is called "No Small Ambition" so I suppose thats why they put it in their heading?.Joan has been talking about a fragrance contract and acting since forever.

Joan's streetstyle Is always amazing!!

 

[AyeBritt]

I hope we see Joan at Versace

 

[valliaddict]

Did anyone see the VS Swim Special last night? I did & unfortunately I don't see Joan becoming an angel after this. They did a spotlight on every non-angel EXCEPT Joan. I'm just choosing to believe that she either can't be an angel due to her EL duties, or the contract they were offering wasn't big enough for her. She has a lot going for her though, so maybe we should be grateful that she's not an angel. She would've been working a lot less with other companies.

 

[nataliaapple]

^I thought it was tonight for some reason. Totally missed it.

I can totally see Joan crossing over into Hollywood.

 

[AyeBritt]

Did anyone see the VS Swim Special last night? I did & unfortunately I don't see Joan becoming an angel after this. They did a spotlight on every non-angel EXCEPT Joan. I'm just choosing to believe that she either can't be an angel due to her EL duties, or the contract they were offering wasn't big enough for her. She has a lot going for her though, so maybe we should be grateful that she's not an angel. She would've been working a lot less with other companies.

I missed it. But Ed did refer to her as a "tour guide" in one of his posts from a few weeks ago so Yea. I think it's more likely that Jasmine and/or Martha become angels.

 

[AyeBritt]

^I thought it was tonight for some reason. Totally missed it.

I can totally see Joan crossing over into Hollywood.

Me too! Though I've never heard her repeat a script, her appearance in ASAP's video with that actor from The Wire was very impressive.

 

[AyeBritt]

And I think I read on Vogue.com that the newer angels make 100k now? That's very O.o

 

[happytrail]

hmmm...come to think of it, why hasn't she scored a major fragrance campaign!?

 

[Firefly216]

hmmm...come to think of it, why hasn't she scored a major fragrance campaign!?

If I remember that's definitely something Joan wants to accomplish in an interview she gave! Hopefully in time she will score a fragrance campaign

 

[fashionlover2001]

I can't believe I missed the Swim special last night!
But if she didn't get much air I don't feel bad all.

Joan should create her own Fragance! Continue creating that empire nena!

 

[fashionlover2001]

Did anyone see the VS Swim Special last night? I did & unfortunately I don't see Joan becoming an angel after this. They did a spotlight on every non-angel EXCEPT Joan. I'm just choosing to believe that she either can't be an angel due to her EL duties, or the contract they were offering wasn't big enough for her. She has a lot going for her though, so maybe we should be grateful that she's not an angel. She would've been working a lot less with other companies.

What a disgrace! No wonder Karlie and Doutzen left.
What happen to all the prestige of being an Angel.

Now every single model is called an Angel or Supermodel...

'Oh look she was on the cover of Maxim! She's such a Supermodel!!!'

 

[modelista]

^^here's the link
http://vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/swim/watch-now/

 

[AyeBritt]

^^here's the link
http://vsallaccess.victoriassecret.com/swim/watch-now/

You're the best!! Thanks for this