Stan Jouk on the runways. Photo taken from firstview.com

Vision Men is beginning to grab the attention of the most ardent of modelwatchers and admirers. From the sexy Brazilian Alexis Vinas to upcoming stars Reid Prebenda, David Morris and Shaun Haugh... But it was the mysterious young man from Ukraine who seems to be on every body's lips! With his seductive appearances at the recent D&G campaigns where he reigns among the male models chosen for the season, to some highly-charged editorials for L'Uomo Vogue, Stan Jouk is a mystery about to be discovered.

In this exclusive interview, get to know Stan Jouk- the man and the model, as we capture the intensity of a young man on the go!

- - - -

Jed: Tell us about you. What do you want people to learn about Stan, the person and the model?

Stan: Hello everyone!

Well, what I want people to know about me is that I'm not at all the person that I appear as in most of my pictures! (laughs). People often tell me that they are amazed to learn that I am an easy going and simple person when they meet me. I like to laugh and have a good time. As a model I take my work very seriously, but I still try to enjoy myself and create a good environment with the people I work with.

Jed: Who discovered you and convinced you to become a model? How did it happened and where?

Stan Jouk for Brutus Magazine Photo courtesy of Citizen Models.

Stan: I was discovered by George Brown, who is one of my two bookers. It was funny because I was just visiting New York with my sister and her husband, we had been walking around central park all day long and stopped to watch a street show on the way back to the car.

I didn't really care for the show so I stood outside the crowd, that's when I was seen by George. He approached me on that busy street to ask me which agency I was with. To his surprise I didn't know what he was talking about.

I was very defensive at first because I wasn't familiar with the industry, but he looked well dressed and professional so I gave him my cell number which was very unlike me. I received a phone call from George late that night. George convinced me to come up to the agency where I met Dave my other booker, both of them explained to me that I would do well and would make money. Money I needed for school, that was the reason I signed right away.

George convinced me to come up to the agency where I met Dave my other booker, both of them explained to me that I would do well and would make money. Money I needed for school, that was the reason I signed right away.

Jed: What are your first impressions of modeling? Upon signing with your mother agency, did your impressions changed?

Stan: First impressions were mixed, I liked the idea of becoming successful but didn't want to change my life style.

The concept of modeling seemed like it was for people that are perfect in every way, I didn't think I was built enough, couldn't imagine making a living on my looks. As things went on I became more comfortable, felt like it could be anything I wanted to make it.

Jed: Fashionistas and modelwatchers alike have begun to take notice, with some of your latest modeling gigs, tell us something about some of your work:

Stan: I'll talk about the jobs in the order they happened. My very first job was to shoot for a Japanese Fashion magazine called Brutus. When I got to the set I was nervous but excited, I was amazed to find out that I would have a personal dresser. The entire experience was overwhelming, people were cutting my hair, dressing me, getting my make-up done, it was kinda strange. I didn't know how to act so I was very quiet and watched the other models. D&G came next; at that point I was working a little more but didn't know that dolce had a young line called D&G, so when they told me I had booked it I didn't even get excited.

The shoot was a lot of work; we had to get to the studios at 7 in the morning. I had to drive for 2 hours in morning traffic from New Jersey to get there. It was 6 guys and 6 girls shooting so it was fun to hang out and talk with the other models in between sets. We would shoot late maybe till 1am or so, I wouldn't get home till very late for the three days we shot the campaign. Working with Steven Klein was incredible. We clicked on set which made it fun to work with him; Steven pays attention to the littlest details.

Stan Jouk for Dolce and Gabbana. Photo courtesy of modelhommes.com Photography by Steven Klein.

The L'Uomo vogue cover shoot was two weeks after the d&g, it was a two day shoot. Everyone on set was great, the stylist Oliver Rizzo was a pleasure to work with, I liked the clothes, so it was easy to shoot in them, I felt very confident. It was great working with Steven again, this time he was more engaging in asking for my input, and ideas. It was an awesome experience.

I shot Interview magazine in November of 2004. This shoot was more laid back. My upper body was completely painted blue for one of the pictures, when the picture came out it took on a life of its own, it was referred to by everyone as my smurf picture.

Stan Jouk on the cover of L'Uomo Vogue. Photo courtesy of modelhommes.com Photography by Steven Klein.

Jed: What was it like being managed by one of NYC's top agencies, Citizen Model management?

Stan: Citizen has actually now become Vision men, but it had always been a relief to work with them, very personal and caring. It was nice to come into new york and know that there are people that would watch your back. I can honestly say that my bookers are my true friends.

Jed: How old were you when you started modeling and how old are you now?

Stan: I was 19 when I started I am now 20

Jed: Dream modeling assignment? Tell us what would you consider the dream project for you as a male model?

Stan: My goals as a model are to first to land an all exclusive fragrance campaign, and then to be the contract face of a major design label.

continued...>>>