Jourdan Dunn
{{short description|English model and actress}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox model
| name = Jourdan Dunn
| image = Jourdan Dunn Paris Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2019.jpg
| caption = Dunn at 2019 Paris Fashion Week
| birth_name = Jourdan Sherise Dunn
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1990|8|3}}
| birth_place = Brent, London, England
| children = 1
| height = {{height|m=1.80}}{{cite web|title=Jourdan Dunn|url=https://www.thesquadmanagement.com/talent/women/main-board/jourdan-dunn|access-date=19 December 2022|website=The Squad Management}}
| years_active = 2006–present
| occupation = Model
| haircolour = Black
| eyecolour = Brown
| agency = {{Plainlist|
- Elite Model Management (New York, Copenhagen)
- The Squad (London)
- Women Management (Paris, Milan)
- Modelwerk (Hamburg) }}
}}
Jourdan Sherise Dunn (born 3 August 1990){{cite web | url=http://nymag.com/fashion/models/jdunn/jourdandunn/ | title=Jourdan Dunn | work=New York | access-date=4 December 2008}} is a British model. She was discovered in Hammersmith Primark in 2006 and signed to The Squad Management in London. She began appearing on international runways in early 2007.{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2007/09/14/a-new-star-from-storm|title=A NEW STAR FROM STORM|last=Vogue|date=14 September 2007}} In February 2008, she was the first black model to walk a Prada runway in over a decade.{{cite news | url=http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article3883269.ece | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705040800/http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/beauty/article3883269.ece | url-status=dead | archive-date=5 July 2008 | title=Jourdan Dunn is the colour of money | last=Marrin | first=Minette | date=11 March 2008 | access-date=4 December 2008 | work=The Sunday Times | location=London}}{{cite web | url=http://www.teenvogue.com/industry/model/jourdandunn | title=Jourdan Dunn | work=Teen Vogue | access-date=4 December 2008 | archive-date=25 October 2008 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081025200626/http://www.teenvogue.com/industry/model/jourdandunn | url-status=dead }}
In April 2014, it was announced that Dunn was signed as the new face of Maybelline New York.{{cite news| url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/17/jourdan-dunn-maybelline-new-face_n_5165556.html | work=Huffington Post | first=Julee | last=Wilson | title=Jourdan Dunn's MAJOR New Gig | date=17 April 2014}} As of July 2014, she was declared an icon by models.com.{{cite web|url=http://models.com/models/Jourdan|title=Jourdan Dunn - Model}} Dunn is considered to be one of her generation's supermodels.{{cite web|url=http://models.com/rankings/ui/NewSupers/|title=MODELS.com's New Supers}}
Early life and discovery
Jourdan Dunn was born in Brent, London, and grew up in nearby Greenford with her mother.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} She attended Elthorne Park High School in Hanwell. Jourdan is of Jamaican, Syrian, and Grenadan descent. She admitted to being self-conscious as a teenager, due to her height and weight.{{cite web|url=http://islandistas.com/2013/09/23/jourdan-dunn-shares-her-teenaged-insecurity-in-insightful-new-interview-id-look-in-the-mirror-and-hate-myself/|title=Jourdan Dunn shares her teenaged insecurity in insightful new interview: "I'd look in the mirror and hate myself" - Islandista|date=23 September 2013|access-date=1 March 2014|archive-date=31 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181231180516/http://islandistas.com/2013/09/23/jourdan-dunn-shares-her-teenaged-insecurity-in-insightful-new-interview-id-look-in-the-mirror-and-hate-myself/|url-status=dead}} She stated growing up, people would often tell her she should become a model, but she was apprehensive as she was not really sure what a model did. She commented that shows like America's Next Top Model intrigued her, as they gave her a new perspective of the job.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2008/apr/06/fashion.features|title=Jourdan Dunn talks Prada, Primark and black role models|first=Alice|last=Fisher|date=5 April 2008|website=the Guardian}}
In early 2006, at the age of 15, she was scouted by an agent from Storm Management, while accompanying a friend in a London Primark.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}
= Personal life =
She has one child.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vogue.com/article/supermodel-jourdan-dunn-sons-battle-sickle-cell-anemia-help-fight-disease/|title = Jourdan Dunn on Her Son's Battle with Sickle Cell Anemia and What She's Doing to Help Fight the Disease|date = 8 September 2014}} On 1 February 2020, Dunn became engaged to rapper Dion Hamilton.{{cite web|url= https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/jourdan-dunn-engaged|title=Jourdan Dunn Announces Her Engagement With A Spectacular Diamond Ring|work=British Vogue|publisher=Condé Nast|last=Maitland|first=Hayley|date=1 February 2020}}
Career
At the age of 16, Dunn made her runway debut in the New York shows in the autumn of 2007, walking in shows for Marc Jacobs and Polo Ralph Lauren, among others. Soon after, she quickly rose to prominence within the industry.{{cite web | url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/2007-09/070914-a-new-star-from-storm.aspx | title=A New Star from Storm | date=14 September 2007 | access-date=4 December 2008 | last=Jones | first=Dolly | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210113614/http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/2007-09/070914-a-new-star-from-storm.aspx | archive-date=10 December 2008 | df=dmy-all }} In 2007, she was featured on British Vogue as a "new star," and in 2008 Style.com listed her as one of the top 10 newcomers. She also walked 75 shows during the spring/summer 2008 season, including Louis Vuitton and Valentino. Dunn has since become a major fixture on runways, having walked for the industry's biggest designers. She was often distinguished for being the only black model in shows, for which she later condemned designers.{{cite web |url=http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/article/TMG10682443/Jourdan-Dunn |title=Jourdan Dunn: I don't know why people applaud designers for having just one ethnic model }}{{dead link|date=July 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} She has garnered attention for her legs and for her walk which she says she practises frequently with very tall heels,{{cite web | url=http://www.teenvogue.com/style/blogs/fashionweek/2008/09/catching-up-with-jourdan-dunn.html | title=Catching Up with Jourdan Dunn | date=8 September 2008 | access-date=4 December 2008 | work=Teen Vogue}} walking over 60 shows during the spring 2009 season.
In July 2008, Steven Meisel selected Dunn to appear on the cover of the Vogue Italia issue devoted entirely to black models. She featured as a 'Face of the Moment' in May 2009's US Vogue.{{cite web |title=Vogue May 2009: More models |url=https://www.gofugyourself.com/photos/may-vogues-1981-present/may-2009-models-1587953630 |website=GoFugYourself|date=27 April 2020 }} She has also been featured on the cover of American Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue Turkey, Vogue Japan, Vogue Brazil and Teen Vogue, Miss Vogue, Vogue Girl Korea, W Magazine, Glamour Magazine UK, Elle (France, UK, South Africa, Japan, Brazil), Wonderland, Manifesto, Fashion Magazine Canada, Madame Figaro, Pop, Russh, Muse, The Sunday Times Style, Ponystep, Antidote, Luella, and covering i-D magazine eight times.
She has been in campaigns for Ann Taylor, Burberry, Balmain, Calvin Klein, Yves Saint Laurent, DKNY, Michael Kors, John Galliano, Victoria's Secret, Tommy Hilfiger, Topshop, Kate Spade, Express, Jaeger, Rag & Bone, Gap, Aldo, Shiatzy Chen, Benetton, H&M, Banana Republic, Zalando, Free People, Selfridges, Neiman Marcus, Pepe Jeans, Liu Jo and Saks Fifth Avenue,{{cite web | url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/081006-november-issue-of-vogue.aspx | title=The New Vogue | last=Bumpus | first=Jessica | date=6 October 2008 | access-date=4 December 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201140329/http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/081006-november-issue-of-vogue.aspx | archive-date=1 December 2008 | df=dmy-all }} and was the face of Rihanna's collections for River Island.
She has appeared in editorials for the American, Italian, French, British, Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Japanese, Brazilian editions of Vogue, Elle, i-D, Dazed & Confused, W, Pop, Centrefold and V, among others. In Teen Vogue{{'}}s November 2009 issue where she appeared alongside Chanel Iman, she discussed her and Chanel's previous competitive relationship, as well as the challenges they faced being black models in the fashion world. The issue sparked controversy as Dunn; who was 18 at the time, announced her pregnancy. Teen Vogue faced backlash from the media, who accused them of glorifying teenage pregnancy.{{cite web|last=Keltner |first=Jane |url=http://www.teenvogue.com/industry/coverlook/2009/10/teen-vogue-cover-girls-chanel-iman-and-jourdan-dunn |title=Double Whammy |publisher=teenvogue.com |access-date=2009-10-12}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/oct/28/teen-vogue-jourdan-dunn-pregnant|title=Teen Vogue shows pregnant 19-year-old on its cover|first=Chris|last=Tryhorn|date=28 October 2009|website=the Guardian}}
She continued to model until she was six months pregnant and couldn't fit into any of the clothes, notably walking the catwalk for the Spring 2010 Jean Paul Gaultier show, with a baby bump.{{cite news|url=http://nymag.com/thecut/2009/10/jean_paul_gaultier_made_a_baby.html|title=Jean Paul Gaultier Made a Baby-Bump Pad for Jourdan Dunn|newspaper=The Cut}} At the age of 19, ten weeks after giving birth, Dunn returned to the runway at London Fashion Week for the Winter 2010 season. For returning to work so quickly, she said her motivation was her son:{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/12/11/vogue-archive-jourdan-dunn-motherhood-interview---january-issue|title=Jourdan Dunn Talks Motherhood|first=Jo|last=Ellison|date=13 December 2012}}
More than anything, having a son has made me realise I have to make shit work: I'm his voice, I'm his lifeline, I have to be driven. I think he pushed me in the right direction. I've always been ambitious, but now I have more focus. I'm more hardworking.
File:Jourdan Dunn Catwalk.jpg]]
During the 2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, Dunn was one of the British models wearing bespoke fashions created by British designers specifically for the event. The other models were Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, David Gandy, Karen Elson, Lily Donaldson, Lily Cole, Georgia May Jagger and Stella Tennant.{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/spy/celebrity-photos/2012/08/13/london-2012-closing-ceremony|title=London 2012 Closing Ceremony|first=Lucy|last=Hutchings|website=www.vogue.co.uk|date=13 August 2012}} She wore a gold and white gown by Jonathan Saunders with feathered headdress by Stephen Jones.{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2012/08/03/vogue-olympic-fashion-shoot---closing-ceremony/gallery/4|title=Olympic Closing Ceremony - Fashion Shoot}} She also made her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debut for the 2012 show.{{cite web|url=http://www.graziadaily.co.uk/fashion/archive/2012/11/05/cara-delevingne-and-jourdan-dunn-to-make-victorias-secret-runway-debut.htm|title=Grazia|website=Grazia}}
In March 2013, Dunn appeared as the cover story in Net-a-Porter's "The Edit." In it she spoke of encountering discrimination telling the magazine that casting agents would say clients "didn't want any more black girls".{{cite web|url=http://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine/187/10|title=Cover Story - Jourdan Dunn: Thy Will be Dunn |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325070009/http://www.net-a-porter.com/magazine/187/10 |archive-date=25 March 2013 |url-status=dead}} In July 2013, she received media attention for tweeting that she had been cancelled from a Dior haute couture show, "for her boobs"; rather than her skin colour – which she noted, "usually happens".{{cite web|url=http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/2013/07/02/jourdan-dunn-cancelled-from-dior-couture-show|title=Jourdan Dunn's Couture Cancellation|first=Sarah|last=Karmali|work=Vogue|date=2 July 2013 }}
In April 2014, it was announced that Maybelline New York had signed her to join the brand. Her first role for the cosmetic company will be fronting the brand's Go Extreme Mascara, accompanied with print and television ads.
Forbes listed Dunn in their 2014 top-earning models list, estimated to have earned $US4 million in one year. She appeared on the 2015 list having earned $US3.5million.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/emjl45edfdg/17-jourdan-dunn-2/#4ce320847fea|title=Jourdan Dunn - pg.39|first=Natalie|last=Robehmed|website=Forbes}}
She is pictured in the September 2015 issue of Vogue modelling a J. Mendel fox fur boa.Vogue (September 2015)
Dunn signed a deal with British multinational retailer Marks & Spencer to design a kidswear clothing collection. The collection; called "Lil' LonDunn by Jourdan Dunn", debuted in April 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.fluidworld.co.uk/news/fluid-world-and-jourdan-dunn-partner-with-marks--spencer-on-new-childrenswear-range-lil-londunn-b.html |title=Fluid World and Jourdan Dunn partner with Marks & Spencer on new childrenswear range, Lil' LonDunn |website=www.fluidworld.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160427053920/http://www.fluidworld.co.uk/news/fluid-world-and-jourdan-dunn-partner-with-marks--spencer-on-new-childrenswear-range-lil-londunn-b.html |archive-date=2016-04-27}}
A collaboration between Jourdan and British fashion retailer Missguided was launched in April 2017, featuring athletic wear. Revenue for the company increased by 75%, with international sales increasing by 130%, whilst the campaign with Dunn was active.{{cite web|url=https://www.drapersonline.com/news/revenue-soars-at-missguided|title=Revenue soars at Missguided|date=4 May 2017}}
She appeared in a music video for Nicki Minaj entitled "Regret In Your Tears", directed by Mert and Marcus in May 2017.
=Accolades=
In February 2008, Dunn became the first Black model to walk in a Prada fashion show during the 21st Century.
In November 2008, Dunn was named "Model of the Year" at the British Fashion Awards.{{cite news | url=http://news.scotsman.com/uk/Jourdan--model-of-the.4736016.jp | access-date=5 January 2009 | title=Jourdan model of the year | date=27 November 2008 | work=The Scotsman | location=Edinburgh}}
In November 2013, she won "Model of the Year" at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year Awards.{{Cite web |title=JOURDAN DUNN |url=https://www.thesquadmanagement.com/The%20Squad%20Artists/jourdan-dunn |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=www.thesquadmanagement.com |language=en-US}}
As of July 2014, she was declared an icon by models.com after appearing on their "Top 50 Models Women" list for seven consecutive years.{{cite web|url=http://models.com/rankings/ui/IndustryIcons/2564#2564|title=MODELS.com's Industry Icons|website=models.com}}
As of May 2015, models.com declared her a "New Super", a selection of models who are recognised as modern day supermodels; having transcended the fashion industry and established themselves as brands and celebrities.{{cite web|url=http://models.com/rankings/ui/NewSupers/2564#2564|title=MODELS.com's New Supers|website=models.com}}
She won the "Inspiration Award" at the Glamour Women of the Year Awards 2015, for her philanthropic work raising awareness for Sickle-cell disease and her consistent activism for diversity within the modeling industry.{{Cite web |url=http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/news/celebrity/2015/02/03/glamour-women-of-the-year-awards-2015 |title=GLAMOUR Women of the Year Awards 2015 - Winners & News (Glamour.com UK) |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150802051715/http://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/news/celebrity/2015/02/03/glamour-women-of-the-year-awards-2015 |archive-date=2 August 2015 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}
In November 2015, she won "Model of the Year" at the British Fashion Awards, for the second time.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/fashion/british-fashion-awards/jourdan-dunn-wins-model-of-the-year-british-fashion-awards/|title=Jourdan Dunn is officially Britain's top model|newspaper=The Telegraph |date=23 November 2015 |last1=Sowray |first1=Bibby }}
In 2014, Forbes listed Dunn in their top-earning models list, estimated to have earned $US4 million in one year.{{cite news| url=https://www.forbes.com/pictures/emjl45jlde/jourdan-dunn-2/ | work=Forbes | first=Natalie | last=Robehmed | title=Jourdan Dunn - In Photos: The World's Highest-Paid Models, 2014}} She was the first Black British model to make the list.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2014/aug/19/jourdan-dunn-first-black-british-model-forbes-list|title=Jourdan Dunn first black British model to enter Forbes rich list|first=Rosie|last=Swash|date=19 August 2014|website=the Guardian}} She appeared on the February cover of British Vogue in 2015, becoming the first solo Black model to grace the cover in 12 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/jourdan-dunn-is-the-first-solo-black-model-to-star-on-the-cover-of-british-vogue-for-12-years-9957786.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220617/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/news/jourdan-dunn-is-the-first-solo-black-model-to-star-on-the-cover-of-british-vogue-for-12-years-9957786.html |archive-date=17 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Vogue's unveils its first solo black model cover star for 12 years.|website=Independent.co.uk |date=5 January 2015}}
=Media and appearances=
Dunn appeared in the music videos for "Yoncé" and "XO" from Beyoncé's fifth self-titled studio album which is widely described as a "visual album" due to every song being accompanied by a music video.{{cite web|last=Busis|first=Hillary|title=Beyonce gets down with grills and girls in new 'Yonce' video|url=http://music-mix.ew.com/2013/12/24/beyonce-video-yonce/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=24 December 2013}} The videos were shot in Brooklyn and Coney Island, New York, respectively. The "Yoncé" video was directed by Ricky Saiz and features fellow models Joan Smalls and Chanel Iman. The video was inspired by the 1990 David Fincher video for "Freedom" by George Michael, which also featured models, such as Naomi Campbell. The "XO" video was directed by Terry Richardson and features Dunn alongside Jessica White and Diandra Forres.
Dunn currently hosts a cooking show entitled Well Dunn, on Jay Z's Life+Times YouTube channel. The web show has featured celebrity guest co-chefs, such as 2 Chainz, Wale, Karlie Kloss, Chanel Iman, Cara Delevingne and Joan Smalls.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLY6TQmEq-kYAzGVoIsWL5COC9cLH1mBH1|title=WELL DUNN WITH JOURDAN DUNN - YouTube|website=YouTube}}
She was a guest on The Jonathan Ross Show in March 2013 and later again in 2019, to discuss her career.{{Cite web |date=2013-04-02 |title=WATCH: Jourdan Dunn Explains That Racist Encounter |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jourdan-dunn-explains-rac_n_3001964 |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=HuffPost |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Guide |first=British Comedy |title=The Jonathan Ross Show Series 15, Episode 8 - Trevor McDonald, Peter Crouch, Jourdan Dunn, Aisling Bea, John Newman, Nina Nesbitt |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_jonathan_ross_show/episodes/15/8/ |access-date=2022-03-21 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}
She appeared in the 2012, 2013 and 2014 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.{{cite web|url=http://www.hellomagazine.com/fashion/2013111415640/victorias-secret-show-british-invasion/|title=Victoria's Secret Show 2013: British models Cara, Jourdan and Lily take the show by storm|date=14 November 2013}}
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable Sortable" |
| Year
! Award ! Category ! Work ! Outcome |
|---|
| 2008
| Model of the Year | rowspan="8" |Herself |{{Won}} |
| 2012
| Model of the Year |{{Nominated}} |
| 2013
| Harper's Bazaar Women of The Year | Model of the Year |{{Won}} |
| 2014
| Model of the Year |{{Nominated}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2015
| Inspiration Award |{{Won}} |
| British Fashion Awards
| Model of the Year |{{Won}} |
| 2016
| Style Influencer of the Year |{{Won}} |
| 2017
| Entrepreneur of the Year |{{Won}} |
Filmography
=Films=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
!scope="row"| Year !scope="row"| Title !scope="row"| Role |
| rowspan="2" |2016
| Natalka |
| Ab Fab: The Movie
| Herself |
| 2018
| Terminal | Conejo |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
!scope="row"| Year !scope="row" style="width:14em;"| Title !scope="row"| Role |
| 2012
| Victoria's Secret Fashion Show | rowspan="9" | Herself |
| rowspan="4" |2013 |
| Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model |
| The Face UK |
| Victoria's Secret Fashion Show |
| 2014 |
| 2016 |
| 2017 |
| 2017
|Movie Night with Karlie Kloss |
| 2018
| Special Guest |
| 2021
| Guest Judge |
| 2021
|Herself |
=Music video appearances=
| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
!scope="row"| Year !scope="row"| Title !scope="row"| Original artist(s) !scope="row"| Director(s) |
| rowspan="3" |2013
| "It's My Party" |
| "XO" |
| "Yoncé"
|Ricky Saiz |
| 2015 |
| 2016
| "Wolves" |
| rowspan=2|2017 |
| "Remix Fashion"
| |
| 2018
| "Nice For What" |Karena Evans |
| 2021
| "Woman" | Little Simz |
References
{{reflist|2}}
External links
{{commons category|Jourdan Dunn}}
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{FMD model}}
- {{Models.com}}
- {{Instagram}}
- [http://www.style.com/peopleparties/modelsearch/person4141 Style.com Photos of Jourdan Dunn]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090508161608/http://www.harpersbazaar.com.au/video.htm?vid=15908 Harper's Bazaar interview with Jourdan Dunn]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunn, Jourdan}}
Category:English female models
Category:Black British fashion people
Category:English people of Grenadian descent
Category:English people of Jamaican descent
Category:English people of Syrian descent
Category:People from Greenford