Glamor and outrageousness are his element. The podium is his workshop. Alexander Jay or “Miss Jay” is a stylist, fashion designer, trainer, inspiration, one of the most famous and at the same time unknown people in the world of high fashion. He is known as an expert on the famous show “America's Next Top Model” and the owner of a niche perfume brand. He is admired and reviled. But it’s impossible not to notice it.
The beginning of the way
Alexander Jenkins, known in the glamor world as Alexander Jay, or "Miss Jay", was born in New York City on April 12, 1958 to Julius and Mary Jenkins. He was the seventh of ten children in a family considered wealthy. So young Alexander was accustomed to luxury from a very early age, which was later reflected in his works.
He himself admits that he was brought into the world of fashion by his mother, who was a big fan of design art. Together they attended fashion shows, which inspired Alexandra Jay to create her own images. As a teenager, he dressed in his own clothes and shocked audiences in New York clubs. It was there that the president of the Elite Model Management agency, Monique Pillar, noticed him and offered to sign a contract.
His first show was the iconic show of Jean-Paul Gaultier, with whom he subsequently worked not only as a model, but also helped in creating looks. Amazingly, but true, Alexander Jay's career on the podium might not have happened because he took an accounting course for some time.
Fortunately, the future “Miss Jay” always had a passion for fashion and a desire to be herself. Backstage at fashion shows, he not only changed outfits, but also helped other models with their gait and posing. That's how he met Tyra Banks. Their friendship lasted for many years. But, being a favorite of designers, Alexander remained in the shadows.
Alexander Jay's path in the fashion world
At some point, the passion for modeling turned from a teenage hobby into a real obsession.
He sewed and cut, measured, tried on, and then redrew everything in pursuit of true perfection. At some point, the young guy’s successes were also noted by recognized American stylists. One of them was Monique Pillard, president of the international modeling agency Elite Model Management. As noted in some sources, Jay Alexander managed to amaze her with an unusual show of his own clothing designs, during which our today’s hero himself tried on several women’s dresses.
Such an unusual approach impressed Pillard so much that she, without hesitation, offered the guy a job. Jay Alexander signed a major contract with her agency and very soon began modeling with the famous Jean-Paul Gaultier.
Jay Alexander feat Sarah - one way Thus, Miss Jay began his career as a stylist and fashion designer, but over the years his role in the fashion industry began to slowly expand. He did not have any one specific occupation, and therefore our today’s hero managed to be in several places at the same time. He was responsible for selecting models, scheduling shows, selecting the necessary types of cosmetics for each participant, and also performed many other duties. This state of affairs completely suited Jay Alexander, because he was always at the epicenter of passions.
However, there was no talk of popularity and widespread recognition. Remaining the soul of the entire modeling agency, Miss Jay for a long time seemed to be in the shadow of her more famous colleagues, playing mainly behind-the-scenes roles.
Fame and fame
If many facts from the biography of Alexander Jay are unknown, and even his childhood photos cannot be found on the Internet, then his career is an excellent example to follow for many aspiring designers and models.
He gained fame as a trainer after working with supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kimora Lee Simmons in 1991. His talent and efficiency won a large number of fans behind the scenes of the catwalks.
Alexander worked at the shows of Valentino, John Galliano, Alexander McQueen and Nina Ricci. He taught models to walk with their heads held high, “as if you were walking through hell in pajamas soaked in gasoline.” Alexander Jay was never afraid to be himself. And he always taught this to others. He believed that it didn’t matter what a girl looked like, even if she was scarier than his sole. But if she knows how to walk and carries herself with confidence, then this is of paramount importance for the podium.
It was he who propagated the concept of “ugly beauty” in the fashion world, considering it the highest manifestation of the art of posing. Moreover, he considered the pose important not only in the lens of television cameras. Once at a show, he told Mischa Barton, one of the guests of honor, that she should straighten her back because it hurt him to look at her.
Thanks to his numerous achievements, vibrant image, charity work and books in which he inspires people, America's teenagers voted for the Teen Choice Awards in 2009.
Illness and choice of profession as a makeup artist
By the end of high school, Jay began to be attracted to the profession of a doctor, or rather, his father, a doctor by profession, dreamed that his son would also follow in his footsteps. However, a misfortune happened to the young man: due to joint disease, the dream of becoming an opera singer, and a doctor too, remained only a dream. He was confined to a wheelchair for three years. Being in such a helpless position, Jay began to become interested in the art of makeup.
His new hobby helped him spend endlessly long days in his chair with interest. Fortunately, Jay was able to cope with the disease, and after 3 years he was entrusted with working with the great Pavarotti to film a video clip. The young man coped with this task one hundred percent. It was 2001. He brought Jay great popularity, and many celebrities also wanted to entrust him with the creation of their image. Among them were such show business stars as Jennifer Lopez, Naomi Campbell, Toni Braxton, Tyra Banks, Kim Kardashian, Alicia Silverstone, etc. With each time and with each new name, Jay’s popularity grew. It was then that he came under the spotlight of cameras, all the paparazzi began to be interested in the original young man Jay Manuel. The personal life of the rising makeup artist and stylist also began to occupy many fans of his talent, and gossip began to be published about him in the tabloid press.
America's Next Top Model
When in 2003, Tyra Banks conceived her show, in which she decided to show how young non-professional models conquer the world's catwalks, she called Alexander as a coach. True to form, he appeared on the set of the first issue wearing only a white T-shirt and high heels. Never before on television has there been such an image of femininity contained in a male body. And Alexander repeatedly amazed his colleagues and fans of the show.
He created his own luxurious outfits and knew how to cheer up the participants like no one else. He told one of them that she was like a gold tooth in a mouth full of caries. Another advised her to walk down the runway as if she were selling her walk. It was in the first season of the show that Alexandra Jay was called “Miss Jay” by one of the participants, so as not to be confused with another trainer, Jay Manuel.
Fans of the show watched with delight as the famous trainer helped girls turn into models. “Miss Jay” also became known to fans about Alexander’s personal life, because it was there that he admitted that he had become a father.
For fourteen seasons, Alexander was a consultant, coach, and then a jury member on the popular show and left it with his friend Jay Manuel to pursue other projects.
Star Trek fashion trainer Alexander Jay
Success came to our today's hero after he met the aspiring model Tyra Banks.
Their meeting took place backstage at one of the fashion shows. Jay began to give the girl various tips, and also tell her about the correct gait and the basics of behavior on the podium. It is quite remarkable that very soon such training began to bring results. Tyra made a great career, and Jay Alexander himself began to often work with aspiring models as a fashion coach. It was at this moment that the young stylist experienced his first real success. He began to personally select models for major shows and also train them.
Miss J. Alexander As a “model coach,” J. Alexander has worked with Naomi Campbell, Nadia Aurman, Julia Stagner, Kimora Lee Simmons and many other famous models. Some time later, the fame of the fashionable trainer spread throughout the world.
They began to invite him to Japan and Italy, but he himself still preferred good old Paris. Jay Alexander worked in the capital of France for several years, collaborating with such fashion houses as Valentino, Alexander McQueen, Nina Ricci, John Galliano, Bill Blass and many others. During this period, the eccentric and always smiling Miss Jay became a real favorite of European journalists. Many fashion publications turned to him for advice, and therefore his role in the fashion business was constantly increasing.
Personal life
All that is known about Alexander Jay’s personal life is what he considered it necessary to tell about himself. He openly admits to being gay, but does not reveal the name of his partner. It is also known that Alexander is raising a son, who was born to a surrogate mother in Paris.
Alexander himself was not the biological father, but he considers the child his own, admires his intelligence and proudly says that some “fashionable genes” are still reflected in Boris. In the USA, he published the book Follow the Model, where he talks a lot about accepting oneself and one’s orientation, thereby helping teenagers who find themselves at a crossroads.
Miss Jay Alexander - orientation
Miss Jay stopped hiding her sexuality quite a long time ago and, on the contrary, emphasizes her femininity with regular hair removal, a well-groomed face and nails, and perfectly selected outfits, including women's ones. He sewed all the dresses for America's Next Top Model with his own hands, using needles and thread. Why was such an unconventional person like Jay Alexander, whose photos impress even his friends, able to prove himself in the fashion world? After all, his whole appearance simply screams of difference from others. It's all about a great sense of style. Miss Jay Alexander does not believe that her gay orientation is something to be ashamed of. On the contrary, he is very confident in himself, which allows him to give advice on behavior. Despite his shocking image, which is more suitable for the stage than for life, he is not funny, but attractive, unique and individual. In 2010, he released a collection of tips for gaining confidence.
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Alexandre fragrances. J
In 2012, fans of niche perfumes learned about the emergence of a new brand. Alexander G launched his perfume first in the East. And only after receiving recognition there, the brand, which was originally French, came to France.
The concept of the brand was the philosophy of its creator - luxury and uniqueness. Contrary to modern trends in niche perfumery, where minimalism and simplicity reign, Alexandre.J perfume bottles are refined and chic, and the aromas contained in them are refined and rich in structure.
Each perfume is unique not only with its unusual combination of notes, in which sandalwood feels great with violet, but also with the sensual trail that envelops its owner. Alexander Jay decided to bring a touch of luxury to the minimalist range of modern high perfumery.
The Collector line from “Miss Jay” merges perfumery and couture fashion. These are not practical T-shirts and jeans, but luxurious silks, velvets and leathers. Fragrant spices merge with the warm scent of sandalwood and echo delicate floral aromas. Fans speak with great delight about the composition of the fragrances, their durability and sillage.
Jay Alexander - personal life and relationship history
On the project “America's Next Top Model,” Jay works in tandem with his lover, Jay Manuel. The show participants call them Jays, two Jays or Miss Jay Alexander and Mister Jay. Together they help aspiring models to conquer the heights of their profession, teaching them to feel their beauty and grace. Despite their loyal attitude, they are a couple of rather strict judges, but all their criticism is justified and tactful, so the participants of the show perceive it with understanding and strive to correct their mistakes.
Black Muscs Alexandre. J
One of the first fragrances released by the Alexandre brand. J conveys sensuality and luxury. Woody, floral-musky perfume has a bright composition. It opens with lemon and bergamot, in the heart is a noble rose framed by violet and patchouli, and the whole composition is supported by base notes of amber and musk.
Happy owners of perfume compare it to expensive cashmere, a noble outfit. The aroma is persistent and sillage, but at the same time it is very delicate and does not have a chemical “taste” in the base. According to reviews, the rose framed in this perfume sounds different than in other perfumes.
Iris Violet Alexandre. J
Secular and powdery, Iris Violet has already won fans around the world. A sparkling combination of exotic fruits, bergamot and apple at the top of the composition, smoothly flowing into a floral union of iris, rose and jasmine on a rich base of white musk, cashmeran, Virginia cedar, vanilla, patchouli, olibanum and benzoin. It resembles a podium with its lights, camera flashes, and the smell of talcum powder. The crazy contrast of berry sourness at the beginning and the dense sweet base at the end is a reflection of the entire Alexandre brand. J.
Zafeer Oud Vanille Alexandre. J
Alexander Jay positions his fragrances as unisex, that is, they are suitable for men and women. But not every man will dare to wear such a frankly gourmand scent as Zafeer Oud Vanille. The crown jewel of The Collector line has notes of leather, coconut and toffee at the start, which later flow into a luxurious ylang-ylang on light wood, clove and tonka bean. And vanilla, which leads almost all the time, musk and oud give an intimate and even mystical tone to the entire composition.
Alexander G's perfumes, like his images, books and coaching work, have found fans all over the world. He is a shining example of how a person can achieve his dream if he does not cheat on himself.
