Aya Jones - Française 1m77 - 84/61/88
Agences
Silent
The Lions
Numéro France N°163
Mai 2015
Daniel Sannwald
Love Magazine
Printemps/Eté 2015
Daniel Jackson
Aya Jones N'Guessan New Face (The Lions) who just walked exclusively for Prada S/S 2015
(The Lions) Age: 20 From: Paris,France Shows Walked: 10 Highlights: Prada, Valentino, Miu Miu, and Giambattista Valli Impact: If your making your runway debut at Prad, you're doing something right. Jones' exclusive appearance in Milan landed the Parisan 10 show bookings in her hometown
An incredible face deserves an incredible start and Aya Jones showed up in all the right places this season. From her debut as a Prada exclusive to selective turns at Miu Miu, Valentino and Sonia Rykiel Aya made an impact. With campaign season right around the corner Aya is poised to show up somewhere else very selective very soon.
Inoubliable Model Army (IMA): Hi Aya, thanks for chatting with IMA! Congratulations on a stellar debut at the Spring/Summer 2015 collections. How are you feeling now that you've had time to decompress from the shows and to realise the full extent of your Fashion Week achievements? Aya Jones (AJ): Thank you for inviting me to take part! I feel really excited, it's like a dream come true. I can't believe what has happened to me and I hope that the best is yet to come! IMA: As a relatively new face to modelling, would you mind sharing your backstory with IMA's readers? AJ: I'm 20 years old and French but my father is from the Ivory Coast in Africa. I started modelling a few months ago after being discovered on the streets of Paris by Johann Mapaga. I initially started doing some test shoots, learning to walk, to be a model, and then joined Silent Paris and the Lions Management NY. IMA: This season you appeared like a bolt out of the blue as an exclusive at Prada in Milan. Describe the process that was involved for the Prada casting and when did you find out that you had been confirmed for the show? AJ: In the beginning my agency sent my pictures to Ashley Brokaw, Prada's casting director. I met with the Prada team twice and then went to Milan to see Miucca Prada. I walked and tried clothes for her, and the following day I was confirmed as an exclusive for the show! IMA: Your exclusive debut at Prada set the wheels in motion for an epic Paris Fashion Week with turns on the runway at Miu Miu, Viktor & Rolf, Valentino, Giambattista Valli, Nina Ricci, Sacai and Paco Rabane amongst others. Were the shows a complete blur or are there any defining moments either on or off the runway which standout in hindsight? AJ: The whole of Fashion Week was a great experience, a whirl of colour, textures, sounds, and feelings... but Prada was the most exciting. It was my first show and my heart was beating very hard! IMA: The month long fashion frenzy is a real test of mental and physical stamina. How did you prepare in the lead up for the shows and what has been the most sage advice that you received from your agents that helped you throughout the shows? AJ: I tried to follow a healthy lifestyle - doing sports, eating well, and sleeping a lot. And of course my family's encouragement was really important for me. My booker, Patricia Lejeune, told me that whatever happens to always be strong and professional regardless of the time of the night and the height of the heels... and to never give up and to stay strong! IMA: The casting process for shows can be particularly intimidating with so many beautiful girls vying for limited runway slots. What was your approach heading into castings and what advice would you offer to make a positive impression at castings? AJ: I'm someone quite peaceful and relaxed. Of course, I was a bit stressed but it was good stress. Patience is very important in this business, always be available, and try to give designers and casting directors the feeling that they can count on you. IMA: Did you have an interest in modelling prior to being discovered and are there any key modelling figures who you admire? AJ: I admire Veruschka as a woman and a model. She changed fashion and was the first supermodel of the 60s. From my generation, I like a lot Sasha Pivovarova, Daria Werbowy, and Carmen Kass. IMA: A model's fashion sensibility is an important part of her overall package when presenting to clients and also off-duty with the rising influence of street style photographers and bloggers. How would you describe your street style and what are your current fashion must-haves? AJ: I'm quite simple in the way I dress and I love basic items. There's nothing better that skinny jeans, a white t-shirt, and Alaia shoes. IMA: Diversity in modelling has been a contentious topic over the past few seasons. Did you notice diversity on fashion's runways this season and how important is it to you to see diversity reflected in fashion and the media? AJ: Diversity is our world. But it's true that diversity has been a contentious subject for a long time. I didn't really notice more black or Asian models this season but Balmain's designer Olivier Rousteing has shown great support for black models in his shows and campaigns IMA: Modelling at times can seem like a 24/7 existence. How do you unwind outside of work and what are your keen interests and passions beyond modelling/fashion? AJ: I love cooking, especially African food. My father is a really good cook, he owns a restaurant in Paris specialising in cuisine from the Ivory Coast. I love cooking with him! I also discovered yoga a few months ago and it really helps me to find balance and to feel less pressure. IMA: Your Paris-based agency Silent Models played a pivotal role in keeping the momentum going throughout the Spring/Summer 2015 season. What do you value most about the management team and approach at Silent? AJ: I think Silent Models have a different approach with their models. They're focused on building careers and not only on making a lot of jobs with no specific meaning or strategy behind them. In France we say "savour priviléger la qualité sur la quantité". It's my choice and my booker's one as well, Patricia Lejeune. I'm really happy with Silent Paris and feel very safe and protected. IMA: One of the most enjoyable aspects of Fashion Week is the camaraderie backstage between the models. Did you find time to bond with other girls in between castings, round the clock fittings, and the backstage madness? AJ: Everything is still new for me since I just started my career two months ago with the Prada booking. But I really appreciate the girls that I an growing with like Othilia Simon, Elodia Prieto, and Morgane Warnier who was also discovered by our scout Johann Mapaga. It is very nice to meet girls backstage and to have a bit of fun before the shows. IMA: What do you enjoy most about modelling and what are your long-term modelling aspirations? AJ: Hard question... maybe meeting people; stylists, designers and photographers and learning about their world. It's really inspiring. I think modelling above all is a job of learning to deal with humans and different personalities. My long-term aspiration would be to shoot with an artistic photographer and of course being part of a campaign ;-) IMA: What makes you "Inoubliable" (Unforgettable)? AJ: Unforgettable! What a wonderful song by Nat King Cole. Seriously, I do feel memorable when a very important client asks me to try something on and than says "that's perfect on her".
ABOVE: AYA JONES IN NEW YORK, DECEMBER 2015. PHOTOS: SHAWN BRACKBILL. MAKEUP: MEGAN LANOUX FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS USING JOUER COSMETICS. HAIR: JARRETT IOVINELLA FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS. CASTING: SHAWN DEZAN FOR MICHELLE LEE CASTING. Securing an exclusive debut at Prada is perhaps the holy grail for an up-and-coming model. Newcomer Aya Jones launched her career with just that, starting the Spring 2015 season in the Italian heavyweight's post-apocalyptic-themed show, walking the runway in Look 34—a frayed topstitched top and paneled pencil skirt. Many took notice of Jones' poise, 5'10" frame, gorgeous wide eyes, and pillowy lips, and the next week at the Paris shows, plenty of prestige designers came knocking. Scouted on the streets of her hometown, the Paris native signed to The Lions in New York and joined a roster that includes industry vets Karen Elson, Veruschka, Jamie Bochert, and Guinevere van Seenus. Jones, who catalogs behind-the-scenes snaps of her rocketing career on her Instagram and names trailblazers Naomi Campbell and Bethann Hardison as personal heroes, has several hush-hush campaigns and editorials in the works, and is prepping for the upcoming round of fall shows in February. Earlier this month, she walked in Valentino's first-ever couture show in New York. At the rate Jones is going, 2015 will be a major year for the young model. HOMETOWN: Paris AGENCY: The Lions (New York) SHOWS WALKED: Prada, Nina Ricci, Paco Rabanne, Maison Martin Margiela, Viktor & Rolf, Sacai, Giambattista Valli, Sonia Rykiel, Valentino, Miu Miu, Valentino Sala Bianca 945 Haute Couture GROWING UP: I was interested in dance. I practiced ballet, modern jazz, and hip-hop. My parents are French, and my father is from the Ivory Coast. I also have an older brother who is 22. Growing up in Paris was a pleasure; the city is so beautiful. DISCOVERY: It happened unexpectedly when I was approached by a scout on the rue de Rivoli. YOU WANNA BE ON TOP? Growing up, I watched America's Next Top Model with Tyra Banks, but I never expected that I would be a part of this world one day. Before becoming a model I never really followed fashion magazines. PRADA: It was very intense to have so many people watching me. I felt many emotions at the same time but I was so focused on my walk and my body that I can't describe all of them; but I do remember the stress, the happiness, and the determination. It was interesting to see the behind the scenes part of the show and meet important and inspiring people like Miuccia, Pat McGrath, and Ashley Brokaw, as well as the rest of the production—hairdressers, makeup artists, stylists, the assistants, and the other models. WALKING THE WALK: I always try to remember what I've learned: Straight posture, confidence, eye contact. I try to project elegance and confidence in any situation. I practice two to three times a week. ROLE MODELS: Naomi Campbell is a woman who I respect for her convictions and tenacity. She is an icon who, along with others such as Bethann Hardison and Edward Enninful, contributes a sense of the exotic to the world of fashion. The best advice has come from the people who have encouraged me in my work and supported me in different ways. They have given me joy and a determination to be a good person and stay true to myself. DREAM CAMPAIGN: It would be a dream to have a cosmetics campaign and to work with Chanel, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. COMING UP: I can't tell you yet. But a lot has happened—both editorials and campaigns, and I can't wait for them to come out. I'm also looking forward to next show season and even more exciting experiences.
Memorable Moments Spring 2015 “My favorite moments were just being on the runway. All eyes are on you and puts you in the spotlight so you have to maintain concentration and keep a straight face on the runway, but it is magic. It was also so inspiring to see the models who have been working for a long time and have become really successful. I always pay attention to what they do and try to observe how they handle things or just speak to them - it is wonderful just to be in the position to see all these important people and get to know them