Lawrence creates fashion history on Gucci in Milan
IT’S DAY One of Milan Fashion Week, and the name on the lips of fashionistas: Lawrence, the tall and slender 18-year-old Saint International’s model whose meteoric rise shot off from ordinary rural school teen to the hottest new face in the fashion world.
The successful ascent, seemingly overnight, is dizzying as it is inspiring.
Winston Lawrence is one of five children for his carpenter father and educator mother. Lawrence, who calls Anchovy in Portland his home, is proudly a mama’s boy. Milan, Italy, is a far cry from Portland, and Lawrence could have never envisioned this when he was scouted by Saint International star model Aneita Moore at his school last October. Being booked exclusively to walk for Gucci right from Jamaica on Milan Fashion Week’s opening day last Wednesday was even farther from the mind of this 18-year-old. But in the supermodel-making orbit of the Deiwght Peters-led Saint, Lawrence hit the fast lane into the glamorous global fashion industry with the most auspicious of starts.
FIRST TRIP ABROAD
Making his first trip outside of Jamaica, the newly minted model is still ecstatic about making his debut on an Italian runway for one of the biggest fashion brands. “I felt amazing. I was a bit nervous at first, but I prayed then I got so confident. I couldn’t wait to hit the runway.”
Lawrence recalled his catwalk debut where he rocked Look #37 in Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele’s 87-piece Fall/Winter 2019 collection. “Doing Gucci, I’ve had a taste of the luxury fashion, and now I want the whole meal of international modelling after I have finished high school,” declared the avid football-loving teen who relishes playing the sport. “The experience of walking in the show was great because I developed selfconfidence and a better personality through rehearsals and interacting with other models from around the world.”
Still in Milan at the request of his agency, Why Not Models, the adolescent is loving the international fashion capital city where he has made fast friends with models from Senegal, Denmark, Poland, France, and Miami. “I have developed an appreciation for Italian, the traditions and the rich history here, and I love that everyone I have met speaks more than one language.”
Lawrence’s mother, basic school educator Sophia Richards, is beside herself with excitement at her son’s new-found stardom. “I’m so elated at his accomplishment and happier because he’s someone who is always pushing himself to do better,” she revealed, adding that the teenager is always quick with words of encouragement for her and is helpful.
Lawrence is the latest addition to chief executive officer of Saint International Deiwght Peters’ canon of Gucci stars.