Eyes as mesmerizingly green as the sunlight glinting off the waters of Australian’s East Coach beaches, where he's from. In the space of a few years, Jordan Barrett has become a household name in the fashion industry. He became the face for the perfume 1; one of his first ever campaigns was for Tom Ford; and he has designed his own eyewear line in collaboration with Chrome Hearts. Jordan has contributed to defining what a male supermodel is today. But behind his other worldly good looks, a scouting story that’s the stuff legends are made of (aged 14, in a convenience store), and that meteoric rise, the 23-year old, now signed to Kate Moss Agency & CAA, is exploring the facets of his creative identity. Will it be photography, film or something else entirely? Who knows, but Barrett is giving himself the space to grow, on his own schedule.
People have stuck labels on you like "Baby Kate". So how do you define yourself here and now?
That came from Edward Enninful, I think, the very first time I went to meet him at his office, just after arriving in New York – I was 17. We also shared the same agent that I had just met then, Jen Ramey. And she also started pointing out similarities. Our lust for life, the same broken finger. Both blonde and always laughing. I don’t know, it’s the weird little things that kept clicking like never wanting things to end.
Coming from a small town in Australia and starting to work in New York as a model at 17 opened my mind. I got to see what’s going on in the industry with a 360 degrees perspective. We were with the stylist, the photographer, the makeup artist, the lighting tech… At the end of the day, all those collaborations had an effect on me.
Provided that you’re paying attention, what you are exposed to – or what you pick out of it – shapes who you are. What I want to do next is what I’m currently doing now.
Tell us something about yourself that isn't on your resume.
I would love to tell you a story from the time I spent in Tokyo. That’s worth writing about. But I don’t want it ending up on another outlet, taken out of context and some stupid “journalist” writing about it, so you can ask me yourself after this.
Otherwise, I don’t know… I’ve never once paid for a subway ride. I kinda adore the thrill of getting caught. I have to find ways to amuse myself in this tedious world.
Why are you attracted to the icons of the Nineties?
Because of their effortless style. This was a time before stylists contrived the way celebrities looked, and where they expressed themselves through their personal aesthetics.
Speaking of now, what's behind the @sedated.ltd Instagram account you launched?
It started as a way of separating my personal account into an account of things that interested me, featuring work of some my favourite artists, filmmakers, photographers, musicians and moments in time. And it just kept going. It’s something I really enjoy working on and it's sweet, because a lot of the people featured on there are engaging with the page. I have so many plans for Sedated and a few really interesting people Im excited to start collaborating with.
Right now, I want to get ‘Sedated.ltd Radio’ live because I think music is something we all need in the times we are all in now. There is so much out there and I want to try and curate what I want and I like. And also come together with others to collaborate on playlists etc. & share it with you all on these platforms.
I’ve just gotten off FaceTime with @42n0ah. This guy is a wizard. We are about to release a little feature through @sedated.ltd in the next couple of days for everyone to play with.
There’s hardware and merchandise. I’ve got a few things I can’t wait to drop.
So keep please checking it out. It’s all coming. I would love to hear what you guys want from Sedated.
Name an artist that changed your vision of the world.
It’s impossible for me to name everyone.
Mario Sorrenti has inspired me for as long as I can remember. I would obsess over his images. I really want him to make films. Also Lou Reed – watch his interview with a bunch of obnoxious Australian journalists from 1974, it’s on Sedated. I really appreciate Collier Schorr’s work, I got the opportunity to work with her early on & she did a book with me over the space of a year or two. Peter Beard is everything to me.
Currently I’m really into Gaspar Noé, everything. His storylines can be so dark and disturbing but visually beautiful.
What’s the best lesson you’ve learned in the industry?
That it’s about more than just your looks, it’s about personality. You have to convey that because ultimately that’s something no one else can sell.
Your style in three key words:
I can’t define it in three words because I know my likes and dislikes instantly and those change a lot.
Right now, I’m in a place that’s a jungle down to the ocean. I’m wearing nothing most of the time, especially on my feet. I hate wearing shoes. And that is how I feel most comfortable.
That being said, I'll wear anything stylist George Cortina ever puts me in or that I take from his closet uptown. I like being put head to toe into an outfit on set, it makes for a great image.
Lazy days, you may or may not have noticed, I live in a Rick Owens blue knit and the comfiest pants I can find.
Forget dream dinner parties... who is on your dream confinement crew?
Mick Jagger, Bianca Jagger AND Jerry Hall, because I love to stir the pot. Add Andy Warhol, Peter Beard, Iman, David Bowie, Keith Richards… It’s starting to sound like one fantastic orgy, isn’t it? Oh and Grace Jones… 90’s Patti Smith, River Phoenix, Kate, Heath Ledger. Ohhhh, and Courtney Love, Kurt [Cobain], Iggy Pop, Penelope Cruz...
If you were going off to a desert island, what would you bring?
A bottle of rum, my best friends, the Criterion Collection [of important classic and contemporary cinema], some ciggies, and a camera so we can capture what would essentially be “Lord of the Flies” transpire.
What is the first thing you do in the morning?
Contemplate my existence. Shake around in bed. Practise breathing exercises. I find it really helps with my anxiety.
What can't you live without?
My dignity, although I’ve clearly been managing to do well without it so far.
Discover the full story in our Issue 8 Self SS20
Jordan Barrett is captured in Los Angeles by Alex La Cruz
& styled by Simon Robins
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Grooming by Fitch Lunar
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