Jay Alvarez, a model with about 4.8 million followers on Instagram, visited Japan for the first time.
Jay Alvarez is a model from Hawaii with about 4.8 million followers on Instagram. He is also active as a creator of videos and attracts attention from around the world. He visited Japan for a relaunch event at the Shinsaibashi BIG STEP store in Osaka for A|X Armani Exchange, for which he worked on the seasonal campaign. We caught up with Jay, who is not well known in Japan, through an interview and visuals shot in Shinsaibashi.
Jay is wearing an eco leather rider's jacket from A|X Armani Exchange. ¥28,000+TAX
This is your first visit to Japan. What is your impression of Japan?
jayIt's so different from where I usually live, and I'm constantly surprised. I grew up in Hawaii, and Hawaii is an oriental culture similar to Japan. The food, the culture, the people...they are very Japanese. But when I arrived in Japan, I was really surprised. People walking around the streets are very fashionable, and Osaka is cool.
During the filming, a female fan came up to you and talked with you, shook your hand, and gave you generous service. What do fans mean to you?
jayI don't think I'm doing any special work, and the fans and I are both human beings. If I were in the other person's shoes, I would be happy if they were nice to me or treated me well. I don't think I'm doing anything special, I just want the fans to be happy.
There are many readers of "Huinamu" who do not know you. How did you become a model in the first place?
jayModeling is one of my jobs. When I was 16 years old and living in Hawaii, someone asked me through a friend of mine if I wanted to be a model. I never thought of myself as beautiful, and I didn't even know I was a model. I never thought I was beautiful, and I didn't even know what modeling was. I started modeling on the spur of the moment, and then a lot of brands liked me, and I got offers one after another without any time to rest. Then social networking sites came into play, and here I am today.
You have about 4.8 million followers on Instagram! What do you think is the reason why young people love you so much?
jayI think there must be something unique about it (laughs). (Laughs) I think there is a reason for the popularity of any job. Like with the videos, I just want people to enjoy them, and that's all that matters to me.
I see in your You Tube video that Jay's personal life is very dynamic. The various activities with friends and the natural scenery that surrounds them.... It was both impressive and enviable.
jayThanks. I started making them for my own enjoyment. Now it has become a part of my lifestyle and I am gradually earning an income. I make videos linking music to my favorite sports and outdoor activities such as surfing and skydiving.
I wanted to express a feeling that anyone can do it if they try, rather than a pretentious atmosphere, valuing the feeling of how I felt at the time. Depending on the film, I have worked in Hawaii, California, Europe, the Caribbean... various places. I always work with my best friend who is in charge of the camera.
A|X Armani Exchange and Jay.
Please tell us about "A|X Armani Exchange," which was also the reason for your visit to Japan. We see a number of Jay's campaign visuals displayed in the store.
jayI had a great time. There were three other models besides myself, Greg (Sulkin, actor), Shlomit (Marka, model), and Elliot (Sumner, musician), all great guys. Greg and I became good friends through the shoot and we still keep in touch.
What was interesting about this shoot was that the four of us are close in age but have separate backgrounds. They are also a group of young, successful talents. The visuals and the movie also show the energy that came together.
What was your impression when you heard about the offer from Giorgio Armani?
jayI thought: "No way! After all, it is one of the biggest fashion brands in the world.
Until then, had you ever seen or worn Armani's clothes?
jayI didn't have enough money to buy anything from Armani. Hawaii is a place where you can live in just shorts and a T-shirt. But two years ago I moved to Los Angeles, and that's when I started learning about fashion. I used to think that I could wear any brand of clothing as long as it was black, but I'm finally starting to understand brands, clothing, and what fashion is all about.
What did you think of the A|X Armani Exchange clothes? The leather jacket you wore for today's shoot looked great on you.
jayThe design was simple but had a strong presence. It fit my body well. Next season, I would like to enjoy my own style with A|X Armani Exchange cardigans, jackets, and skinny jeans.
What kind of person do you want this brand's clothes to be worn by?
jayI think: It looks good on everyone. If it seems "comfy" when worn, it is very good for that person. Giorgio Armani also said, "I don't make my clothes in a way that makes people look or think special. However, I think "A|X Armani Exchange" is especially suitable for high teens and people in their 20s like me.
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This video is a compilation of Jay Alvarez's visit to A|X Armani Exchange's Shinsaibashi BIGSTEP store in Osaka on December 3.
jay:
Jay, do you usually go shopping alone?
jayI'm online a lot. I go to many places now, so online is more convenient for me. Of course, I sometimes go to stores, but I prefer to think of my own style rather than having a sales clerk recommend it to me.
I think that kind of feeling is very typical of today's young people (laughs). Lastly, Jay, I know that you have many possibilities in the future.
jayI have many things I want to do. I am also interested in DJing and music. Of course it is important to make money, but I want to be able to look back on my work someday when I am older and sit in my chair and reminisce about how I did this when I was younger.
jay
JAY ALVARREZ
Model and creator, born in 1995 in Hawaii, was scouted as a model at the age of 16 and has attracted attention for her unique hair style and innocent look. Currently, she boasts approximately 4.8 million followers on Instagram. She is also active as a video creator, and her videos, which combine the activities she loves with natural scenery, have been viewed approximately 22 million times on You Tube. www.instagram.com/jayalvarrez www.youtube.com/user/jayalvarrez