Jarrod Branch: The Power of One

The ModelWatch Interview by Amy Ong

- Jarrod Branch in a gentleman stare! in one of his latest photoshoots. photo courtesy of modelhommes.com

Some male models never thought about becoming one and were discovered on the street. Some models walk into open calls, hoping to become one as a side job, out of necessity. Even less of these models is greeted with enthusiasm and scores a major campaign within a few months of development.

This is the origin story of Jarrod Branch, the up-and-coming model, handpicked by Chosen Chicago's David Love at an open call one lucky day in 2004. “I was looking to make some extra money and a friend said, ‘Hey, why don't you go to an open call?’” says Jarrod. “I was lucky that the first person that I met in this business was David Love. He did a lot of good for me."

Thus began Jarrod's climb into model stardom. Landing stunning editorials in Chicago magazine and the French Tetu, followed by nabbing MODELS.com's Model of the Week, it was a pleasant surprise when he also snagged the Fall 2005 Jil Sander ad campaign lensed by David Sims. The notable black and white images featuring Jarrod's intense gaze created an even bigger buzz for the then unknown stunner. He next walked his first ever runways at New York Fashion Week in September 2005 for Martin Andersson, Cloak, and Marc by Marc Jacobs. Around this time, MODELS.com made the unanticipated move of placing the newcomer on its 50 Top Male Models list Jarrod entered at position number seven, surpassing both established models and hyped new faces such as Will Chalker and Oliver Cheshire. “Debuting…at number seven was insane. I’m not sure how that website makes the list, but I was very happy to be placed on that countdown with so many great guys. All I can hope for now is enough work to keep me on it.”

Now also signed to IMG in New York, he says he is willing to work for almost anyone. “It’s not really a matter of which [campaigns, edits, and runways] I want to do. It’s a matter of what I am right for.” But he won’t do just about anything. “Totally nude… I would prefer to not have to do but it’s one of those things that, if it comes about, you do it, if you have to. I don’t think it’s something I can say I will never do but it would definitely have to be a very good situation,” he chuckles dryly.

- Jarrod for Jil Sander, brought the young model to the top! photo courtesy of modelhommes.com

Intelligent and personable, Jarrod originally planned to study cinematography at Columbia College. “There is something awe inspiring of a movie with great cinematography. Film to me was always a medium of art that touched so many people and could bring so many ideas to the masses. While studying film, I came to a sudden realization. I didn't want to have to think about movies everyday for the rest of my life, and in order to be a great filmmaker that's really what you need to do. I realized that I would love to make a movie once in my life, but that I would be much happier working creatively in a medium that had a little more instant gratification.” What medium would make him happy? “I would really love to go back to school to study furniture design.”

The interest in furniture design isn’t completely out of the blue. “I’m addicted to magazines, so whether that be a design magazine, furniture magazine, anything having to do with interior design interests me. I’ll pick up a [fashion magazine], especially if I’m in it. Like if I have to buy a magazine for tears, I’ll usually read the whole magazine. But it’s funny because before I was doing all this, I used to buy all these magazines anyway. Fashion magazines have a lot of design in them, too. It was always something that interested me whether it be a fashion designer, interiors like furniture, industrial design type stuff. I’ve been interested in fashion since I was a kid. I don’t know how that was instilled in me. You’ll have to talk to my mom about that,” Jarrod is laughing by the end.

Then what of his fashion sense? How does he dress? Has modeling changed his sense of style? “I think everyone goes through phases [in dress], whatever new thing they’re into. I’ve started to notice that my taste has gone to something more classic than something more trendy but for the most part, my fashion, for right now, is comfortable. I have to run around all the time or fly; it’s more about being comfortable. … A really old T-shirt that’s almost see through, a pair of jeans, and sneakers.”

Refreshingly down-to-earth in this superficial business, Jarrod lists his mother as his most influential person. “Definitely my mom. She is just an extremely strong person that [sic] has an incredible heart. [She] is a person you can learn from.” His family is also encouraging of his new job. “My parents love it. My mom raids the newsstand. I’m good buddies with my dad. [My brother] doesn’t really say anything about it. My sister thinks it’s awesome.” The women in his life do their part in supporting Jarrod: his mother buys all the magazines he appears in and his girlfriend of over a year is a frequenter of his thread on the ModelHommes forums. So how does he handle the distance and time away from his girlfriend? “Communication is key in a relationship. We email a lot. I like to take my time and write more, be sweeter.” Words most girls would love to hear. As for his friends’ reactions to Jarrod the model, he laughs: “They think its wild. They like to harass me about it.”

- Jarrod Branch for Marc Jacobs photo taken from firstview.com

Jarrod has a strong sense of self, as well. “You have to realize you are who you are. People can say whatever they want; it’s not that big of a deal. There are a few people in the world that I truly care about their opinion and other than those people; people can say whatever they want.”

Clearly someone with a strong family ties, he was born between Christmas and New Year’s Eve on December 30, 1984. Jarrod recalls with amusement, “I didn’t [get less presents] as a kid and then, as I got older, I sure as hell did. It figures too because, at least as a kid, I wouldn’t have known, really. I just would have thought that was the norm but as soon as I got older, I was like ‘Hey! What happened to the birthday?’ And they were like ‘Well, you had a lot of Christmas presents.’” At this point he chuckles, “Well that, that’s some bullshit...; but you know, it isn’t that bad. I get to have two parties one day apart.” Which leads to the question of whether he is a big partier: “It depends on the occasion. I haven’t been a big partier during my time in New York but I’ve been known to do my fair share of partying. I’m trying to take it easy right now because I have to work.”