Josephine Jones Multimedia Creative & Model
Josephine is a Model and multi-media creative represented by Elite London, collaborating with a variety of brands and notable photographers including Tim Walker. Her work encompasses a variety of different mediums and perspectives.
As queer people we are literally re-defining what it means to be a citizen. Queerness is part of the equation with the power to change society’s understanding of what it means to be different and what position that affords you. It’s important to strike a balance between great parties, subcultural political movements and grass roots activism; reaching out to struling minority groups and communities without wealth or resource that need our help. To neglect queer people in dire need of visibility and raising up, is to neglect a vital part of the infrastructure of our community, our Queer family.
I’m so excited about my being a nominee at this year’s fashion awards as it highlights the upcoming network of exciting creatives who have become a family to me, changing the narrative about what is important in the creative industry for young people not just in London - but globally. Often am I reminded about this idea of modern family, a chosen family. As queer people we do get to choose our family, the support we surround ourselves with. I want people to understand that blood isn’t thicker than water. As an orphan with no close family, I’ll be spending Christmas this year with my queer family, my friends. An amalgamation of non-binary performance artists, chic gay stylists, painters and creative luminaries whom I care about deeply. As queer people, we band together. It’s so important that we look after the individuals around us. No one deserves to be isolated. Empowerment is a message touted by brands and individuals globally, we need to make sure this is taking place for every queer person as an act of resistance against the forces which seek to subjugate us. We are stronger together.
Modern queerness for me is seeing creative and inspiring innovations from minorities whose voices deserve to be not just heard but amplified. Modern queerness is both disruptive and visual. It’s understanding you are not alone. Queerness is feeling the warm shade from standing in the shadow of queer history. Celebrating proudly the trans women of colour who fought against the status quo in the fight for equality, even though in the face of being heavily subjugated. Queerness is also being visible, in spaces where you have not previously been given access to. Modern queerness is beautiful. An act of defiance, most exhibited in ouverte ways in protests or bodily assembly. Or more subtly in a bright fluffy yellow feather boa and purple wool coat as a transgender woman at a crowded bus stop. Head held high.
Queerness is creation. And freedom in that creation. You are exactly who you are, creating yourself anew every day in alignment with you own ideas and vision of the world. In this way I suppose queerness is transformation. And potentiality. Queerness for me is this adaptable freedom. The freedom to drown in a ballgown to feel liberated. The freedom to dance your way through life however you see fit.
Queerness in London feels irreverent and lively at the moment. People are shouting louder, standing taller and standing up for what they believe in! Hurrahs all around. Modern queerness for me is a belief that change is not only possible but is already happening. To be queer used to mean othered, to be weird. I’m Josephine Jones and I am here to say: yes, queer people are weird. Rather. We are still strange, yes, fabulously so, but we are here to stay. Embrace our quirks and eccentricities! Enjoy our quirks and our vanities! Allow queer culture to illuminate, casting light onto the realm of the possible.
Plus! How can seeing a broader spectrum of identities flourish and bloom fill you with anything other than the opposite of doom and gloom? Is that not new hope? Potential to be nursed and tended to with compassion like a darling bud in May. May I just say, queer people are not scary so if you do happen to stumble upon one of us, say hello! We do not bite (without consent!), we are kind, often, we are human – just like you.