International Beauty, Entrepreneur and USVI Native, Janeisha John. By. CHRIS MARTIN
Two USVI natives are receiving accolades for their work in a widely-circulated national publication.
When designer Aria Garcia, based in Los Angeles, was commissioned to direct a double cover, twelve-page spread in Playboy Denmark’s January issue, the CEO of women’s couture brand AREGA immediately selected fellow St. Croix native Janeisha John as her model.
Ms. John, a past Miss U.S. Virgin Islands and a television producer/host, and Garcia, worked together with celebrity photographer Chris Martin on the shoot, which featured John wearing six original pieces from different designers.
Shot at several iconic landmark locations, the spread showcases not only Ms. John’s superlative beauty but also St. Croix’s rich architecture and historical ties to Denmark. Local designers Crucian Gold and Jamal Drummond of Ahmadz fashion were also included in the project.
The pair — Ms. Garcia and Ms. John — were able to showcase the Big Island’s unique beauty and translate that beauty to the world.
Ms. John called the shoot “a magical experience that encompasses the love, the culture and history of our home.” The high-profile model said that it made her proud to “bring Aria Garcia’s creative vision to life on our island home and to wear St. Croix proudly across my chest”.
Selected images from the shoot Ms. John called “iconic” can be viewed on her Instagram account (@janeisha_missvi) or on the Instagram account of Playboy Denmark (@playboymagdenmark).
