Jon Kortajarena’s presence is nothing short of commanding. His gaze, as magnetic as it is, speaks volumes, echoing the lyrical cadence of his native Spanish. It’s no wonder that fashion powerhouses like Chanel, Versace, and Balmain vie for his presence. But to label Jon merely as a model would be a disservice. He is, in essence, a visual raconteur, using his physique as a canvas to narrate stories.
It was Tom Ford who recognized not just the model in Jon, but the actor, the muse. Their collaboration transcended the boundaries of fashion, with Jon becoming the face of many of Ford’s iconic campaigns. It was Ford’s directorial debut, “A Single Man,” that marked a pivotal turn in Jon’s journey. Entrusted with a role in the film, Jon showcased a depth and versatility that few knew he possessed. This foray into the cinematic world not only solidified Jon’s position as a multifaceted talent but also underscored the profound bond between the muse and his mentor.
Earning titles like “Most Iconic,” “Sexiest,” and “Highest Paid,” Jon has undeniably achieved iconic status in the fashion world. Yet, these labels don’t confine him; they merely mark the beginning of his remarkable journey.
Where did you grow up, and what it was like there?
JK: I grew up in Bilbao, which belongs to the Basque Country. We have a very special culture and love food and the ocean.
Where do you like to go on holidays?
JK: I like to discover the world. I love some places in Spain, but I also like to go to the other side of the world.
If you had to pick up and leave Spain today, and could never come back, where would you go?
JK: Well, at the moment I live in Lisbon and I love it. I love it. It’s so close to my roots, but at the same time it’s different and I love having that space and yeah, it’s great.
When you hear the word steel, what do you think of?
JK: I think of Chillida. He’s a Basque artist who works with steel, creating pieces of art next to the ocean.
Where did your career start?
JK: My career started in Bilbao. I started doing a few jobs there and after somebody told me that I could do this job for real, and they took me to this agency in Barcelona, and they are the same team I’m with today. So yeah, I started in Barcelona. From there I moved to Paris and New York and that’s how I started discovering the world.
What are some of the challenges you faced in your career?
JK: Well, when I started modeling, I was very young and nobody in my family was related to any kind of artistic job, so I was very lost and I couldn’t speak English, I couldn’t picture myself in that industry. But yeah, I think little by little I trusted in myself and I knew what I wanted and I went for my goals. And I know everything has a price, even the lights, everything has a price, but as long as you know what’s the price you’re going to pay in advance, great. You take the deal or you don’t take it.
How important do you think it is to be resilient in life and in your job?
JK: Well, I think the only way to make your dreams come true and get your goals is by trying and trying and trying. I think people only see the success and the lights of every job, but every time they tell you yes, there are another 50 times they have told you no. So I think you need to get used to it and take the ‘no’ as a part of the journey. I think if your perspective is from the outside and you see that as another step to get to the point where you want to be, it’s fantastic and not frustrating, it’s just part of the journey and that’s great.
And when you hear the word strength, what comes to mind?
JK: I think of the women in my family, especially my grandma. She started working when she was seven and raised a family. She’s my biggest inspiration.
If you were to give advice to anyone trying to break into this industry or trying to get into their dream job, what would you say?
JK: Respect yourself. I think that’s the main thing in life, and if you lose that, it doesn’t matter how much you have because anything is going to be enough. I think whatever you get with respect and hard work is something that is solid and it’s going to be with you for the rest of your life.
When you feel a little insecure or unsure about something, what do you tell yourself?
JK: When something sad happens or when something makes me worry, I think it’s great to give it space and to understand what’s happening. And the same way you need to put it in perspective, what it represents in your life. Because if you just take it as the main thing, as the main problem, suddenly everything else becomes dark and you become really sad. I think it’s important to know which part of your life that problem is taking up, and once you picture that little by little with work, you can fix it.
