Born on July 11, 1988 to a father from St. Thomas and a Puerto Rican mother, supermodel Joan Smalls who grew up on the island (PR), always knew her calling was in the modeling industry.
After being selected to walk exclusively for the Givenchy Spring 2010 couture show, Joan immediately became one of the most coveted catwalk gals.
Back in 2010, Joan (only 22 at the time) became one of the faces of the elite Italian fashion House Gucci! She began 2011 with a bang when she renewed her contract with Gucci, followed by a slew of amazingly fierce photos from their Spring and Fall campaigns. With Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, and Estee Lauder also bringing her on-board as the face of their brands it was inevitable that 2011 would be her year!
A lady who describes herself as strong, humorous and loving, she enjoys a low-key industry profile and prefers to spend her nights meditating than partying.
When she’s not busy enjoying some quiet time in her New York City dwellings, Joan voyages back to Puerto Rico every chance she gets. One of the reasons she enjoys returning to her homeland is that it allows her to visit her favorite spots — the beaches of Pinones, which are quiet, spacious and romantic.
Ever the devoted daughter, Joan spent her first hard earned model dollars buying a car for her father!
List of Campaigns: H&M, Gucci, Giambattista Valli for Macy’s, Chanel (SS 2012) David Yurman, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, and Estée Lauder.
…Runway Shows: Walks the spring Christian Dior and Jean Paul Gaultier couture shows in Paris; Also makes appearance at the fall Givenchy menswear show in Paris. Closes for the fall Gucci and Giambattista Valli shows in Milan and Paris. Opens the spring Gianfranco Ferre, Gareth Pugh, and Gucci shows in Milan and Paris.
*(Fall 2011 shows) Walked a total of 42 — New York: 17, London: 0, Milan: 12 and Paris: 13
*(Spring 2012 shows) Walked a total of 44 — New York: 11, London: 4, Milan: 14 and Paris: 15
…Magazines: i-D, V Magazine, Italian Vogue, French Vogue, German Vogue, American Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue Japan, Vogue Paris , Elle UK, The Last Magazine and much more.
…Catalogs: H&M, Macy’s, Saks 5th Avenue, Victoria’s Secret and much more.
Charities: Project Sunshine
“I’m Puerto Rican. I don’t believe in diets! I prefer working out to get toned rather than not eating or having a diet. I want to enjoy food. I enjoy tasty and greasy food! — I like cooking pasta because it’s really quick! But, I can do rice, beans, meat… whatever!”
Joan is also a college graduate with a degree in Psychology!!
GORGEOUS.
Beautiful!