CELEBRITY

Trans Model, Actress, and Activist Jari Jones is the Face of Calvin Klein’s 2020 Pride Campaign

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Jari Jones is the first Black transgender model to strike a pose for Calvin Klein. Calvin Klein has chosen Jari Jones to be the new face of their 2020 Pride campaign #PROUDINMYCALVINS. Jones, who identifies herself as being a transqueer lesbian, is now on a massive billboard in Manhattan. This capsule collection “features classic styles re-imagined for Pride, this collection contains everything you need to form the ultimate Pride outfit.” The brand has collaborated with nine LGBTQ+ models to make this campaign happen.

 

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There are moments that I heard about, that help you forget when the world told you “Never” !!! . . There are these moments I heard about about that help you heal when the society has tried to beat you down , over and over again. . . There are these very real moments that I heard about that help you feel affirmed even when you don’t see yourself. . . I’ve been searching my whole life for those moments, I got tired of looking for those moments. . . So I decided to create them. Not for me but for the next dreamer, outcast, queer, trans, disabled, fat, beautiful black, piece of starlight waiting for their moment to shine. . . It has been such an honor and pleasure to sit in my most authentic self and present imagery of a body that far to often has been demonized, harassed , made to feel ugly and unworthy and even killed. . . I present this image ,myself and all that my body stands for to my community and chosen family, in hope that they see themselves more clearly than ever and further realize that they are worthy of celebration , of compassion , of love and gratitude. . . – Thank you to @ryanmcginleystudios and the @calvinklein family for a collaboration that will hopefully be a symbol of hope and love during these moments. BLACK TRANS LIVES MATTER!! . . . . #calvinklein #blacklivesmatter #blacktranslivesmatter #transisbeautiful #queer #celebratemysize #actress #honormycurves #pride🌈 #bodydiversity #soho #effyourbeautystandards #curvygirl #curvemodel #influencer #billboard #plussize #plusmodel #influencer #plussizemodel #bodypositive #swimwear #campaign #newyork #melanin #model #ad #sponsored

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Jones confessed in a long interview with Harper’s Bazaar how the process went and the meaning behind the campaign. Jones was not expecting to become the face of the campaign, especially after she got an email saying the shoot was being canceled. But later, she got another email saying, “Jari Jones” with a little x sign, “Calvin Klein,” and I’m like, “Wait, what?” I’m reading this email, and it’s basically saying “We’d love for you to be part of the Calvin Klein family. We’ve been watching you and your work and your group throughout a couple of months now. We want you to basically be like a brand ambassador kind of thing.”

With this campaign, Calvin Klein has shown its support for the LGBTQ+ community and this is great news. People like Jari Jones are proud to be who they are. Most importantly, they prove that anyone can find a place to express themselves and be who they want to be without limits.