Meet the "Real People" Modeling for J.Crew

This is the true story of 64 strangers, picked to be in a fashion show...

"Normcore" has come and gone (and kind of become Vetements). But this Fashion Week, using "real people" instead of runway models is officially A Thing, thanks to labels like Eckhaus Latta, Tracy Reese, and Rachel Comey, all of whom mixed friends and family with catwalk regulars in their collections.

Today, J.Crew took it a step further, casting their entire show with people who don't pose for a living. Their 64 models included artists, engineers, bartenders, athletes, tweens, and more than a few past and present employees. (We see you, @kangten!)

We interviewed ten of them about their Zoolander moments...


How'd you get this gig?

I have a fashion consulting business called Go Go Luxe. I've
known Jenna for a while, and I'm a big fan of J.Crew. Ever since I was a
teenager, really.

What's it like being a fashion model?

I've been standing here for an hour, and I won't lie, it's super
hard. I'm usually on the other side of this, and I have a whole new perspective on Fashion Week because of this experience.

Why is it so hard?

It takes a lot of patience to be a model! You can't really talk. You can't really move when they're doing hair and makeup, even though it's been pretty fast. It's a lot of waiting.


What's your day job?

I do a lot of things. I'm a teacher, a cook, a lifeguard. I'm a tutor…

And now a J.Crew model!

A friend of a friend told me I had to do this. It was like, "Hey, Lee, what's up? Can you swing by this office? We have a job for you."

Would you do it again?

Definitely. I got a good outfit, so I'm very happy. Plus, I get to sit on a stool, which is way easier than standing for two hours. I got lucky.

You said you're a tutor. How would you tutor someone to be a model?

I would tell them to be prepared for on-the-spot interviews! Nobody told me this was part of the job! I'm more nervous doing this than I am doing the actual show!

Did you wear J.Crew when you came to the set today?

No! I wasn't sure if you were supposed to! Is it cliché to wear the designer's clothes to their Fashion Week show? I didn't want to look like I didn't know what I was doing, you know? So I kind of just walked in, really stealth, and got into my outfit. I don't think I was judged. Right? Right?


What's the best part about being in the J.Crew show?

I've met a lot of new and interesting people. You learn a lot about people when you're standing next to them for two hours.

Why did you decide to spend your Sunday doing this?

Because Jenna [Lyons] asked me to do it, and I really respect her. Normally I'm an event curator. I run an event called Everyday People. We hold events around New York, and bring new people together for collaborations. And fun, obviously.

Did they let you pick your own hair and makeup?

They wanted us to look like ourselves, so that part was easy.

Do you get to keep the clothes?

I'm not sure if I get to keep the clothes. They haven't mentioned anything about it. [Laughing] Maybe if I ask nicely?


How's it going?

This is so fun. I want to do it again.

What's your normal job?

I'm a store manager at the J.Crew in Brookfield Place. And I'm an opera singer.

So you're used to performing.

I am, but this is a whole other thing, because I'm not doing anything, I'm just... modeling. My boyfriend Tim is coming to see me, and my best friend. I think when I see them, I'll definitely laugh, but they're being really cool and supportive about it.

How do you like your outfit?

I mean, I'm definitely wearing it home. They might ask for it back later, but it's coming home with me today.


Happy J.Crew day!

Right? This thing is fun. My wife is a photographer who shoots for J.Crew a lot. At this point they're family friends. Anything we can do for [Jenna Lyons], we'll do it. We love the clothes. We love the people. We'll do it.

What are you doing normally?

I'm a photo director at Redbook and Women's Day. But even though I work in the industry, I didn't know modeling was this difficult! Although you're the first one to come talk to us. You're breaking the rules, which is a good thing. I like that!

You're standing next to a young girl. Any relation?

Oh yeah. That's my kid!

What do you think about her outfit?

I love it. It's very cute, and the vest is fantastic. If she wanted to go out in it, I'd say, "Sure, you look great!"


Your dad's a J.Crew model! Do you approve of his look?

I think it's good. I like his scarf a lot and I also like his white shirt. I think he should wear this outfit again, definitely.

Do you work at a magazine, too?

I'm 13!

Oh, so are you like a banker or something?

[Laughing] No! I go to the Nightingale Bamford school. I'm in eighth grade.

What do your friends think about your big modeling gig?

Nobody knows I'm doing this. I didn't tell anybody. If they find out, they find out. I don't want to like, tell people, "I'm a model," you know?

So you're going to hide it from Instagram?

I don't have Instagram, but my dad does. I bet he'll post something.


Everyone's been trying to Boomerang your dress.

It's cool, right? I actually design dresses for J.Crew. I didn't design this dress; our design team did it. But we're all friends and I love it.

Did you tell Jenna Lyons that if you were going to come to work on a Sunday, you would only do it wearing this dress?

[Laughing] Maybe. Maybe I actually did do something like that. I mean, it is a great dress.

How did certain employees get picked for this show?

They just asked a bunch of us if we would do it. I thought, "What a cool experience! I have to say yes to this!"

Did you have to keep it a secret from other people in the office?

We weren't supposed to talk about it for a while, but I guess everyone knows about it now.

You're wearing very pretty but very high heels. Are you okay?

I'm great. I wear heels every day to the office, pretty much always. So when they were putting together this look, they were like, "Yeah, Julie's cool; she's got this. Give her the high ones."


You're wearing a pajama top! Could you wear it to your office?

I don't have an office right now. I used to be Jenna's assistant, which is how I got pulled into this whole thing. Then I moved to Los Angeles to work at Vogue. Now I'm back in New York with my boyfriend. I'm taking classes. I'm in transition. And I'm wearing a pajama top.

It must be weird to be a former J.Crew employee who's now a J.Crew model.

It's surreal. But I love it. I was really excited that Jenna asked me to do it.

What's the best thing you learned from Jenna as a boss?

Oh gosh. So much about creativity and teamwork... but I don't think you ever stop learning from people you respect, you know? I'm still learning!

You're a J.Crew insider. Where's the after party for this thing?

I have no idea. Want to start one?


You're very good at standing still while people take your picture. Are you a real model?

I'm a writer and an editor at Gear Patrol magazine. I interviewed Frank [Muytjens, J.Crew's menswear designer] once, and he reached out to me afterwards and said, 'Do you want to do something kind of crazy?' I figured it would round out my experience in fashion. I'm usually where you are, interviewing people and looking at clothes.

What have you learned from this experience?

I've learned that shifting your weight around is a valuable skill. I feel for the women, I'll tell you that.

What's it like being on display to your fellow fashion editors?

It's weird, because I know all these people! All the menswear people. We see each other at fashion shows and events. Here, they walk past, stare for a minute, realize it's me… it's funny.

Are you nervous that you'll just start laughing?

They told us to be ourselves. I'm essentially playing the role of 'me.' So the great thing about doing this is, however I react to the experience, that's exactly the right thing to do.


Omigod, T!


You look so beautiful!

Thank you!

This is so funny!

I know!

Can I hug you?



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