Models tend to fit a particular mould, these
days. The famous surnames or social media
followings that rival populations of major
European countries. But Jon Kortajarena is a
return to the days when all it took to be a
model was being a specimen of rare genetic
perfection. Simpler times.
Born in the Basque Country in Spain,
the 32-year-old was discovered while
holidaying in Barcelona and soon found
himself modelling for Roberto Cavalli and
Emporio Armani. More than a decade on- a lifetime in the fashion industry – his
Jon
Kortajarena
MODEL OF THE YEAR
THE HANDSOME SPANIARD HASBEEN DOMINATING THE FASHIONWORLD FOR A DECADE. BUT AS THEPAST 12 MONTHS PROVE, HE’SONLY JUST GETTING STARTED.career has only just gained pace. This
year he’s fronted campaigns for Tom Ford
fragrances, Balmain, and Bulgari, for whom
he was named a global ambassador in March.
“When I was 21, my mother told me that
every man should have a good watch, and she
gave me my first one,” he says, adding that
he favours timepieces that are “masculine,
simple and elegant”. His current go-to is
the brand’s super-slim ‘Octo Finissimo’.
Kortajarena might have cheekbones so
sharp they could carve your Christmas ham,
but his talents don’t stop on the catwalk.He made his acting debut in 2009’s A Single
Man, directed by Tom Ford (“He’s a very
talented, sophisticated, smart man,” says
Kortajarena). And most recently, he appeared
in Spanish feature film Skins, which was
quickly snapped up by Netflix.
Speaking of skin, fans of Kortajarena- particularly those who follow him on
Instagram – probably haven’t failed to notice
he’s in remarkable shape. We couldn’t help
but wonder what his secret is.
“I like to be healthy and I run to help my
body and my mind. But that’s it,” he says.
“When I’m home, I’ll go to the gym to
work out. But not very often, honestly.”
Wa it. W hat?
Food, then. There must be some kind of
strict no carb, no fat, no fun diet that keeps
him looking trim. What does he avoid?
“Seriously, nothing,” he says. “I try to eat
different things to be healthy but I don’t have
a special diet. I like to eat things that make
me feel good – I’m Basque and food is part
of our culture.”
Needless to say, it’s an attitude the fashion
world could use a lot more of. Luckily,
Kortajarena isn’t going anywhere.
WORDS JAKE MILLARPHOTOGRAPHY: ELLEN VON UNWERTH.