Model Brad Allen returns to the major league

Triumphantly back in the fold of the global fashion sphere after a near-three-year absence, SAINT International star Brad Allen's career is in hyperdrive in Europe with a flurry of assignments.

Allen, who was born and raised in the tough inner-city community of Fletcher's Land in Kingston, appears in the current issue of the German edition of Esquire magazine. The model is captured in a multi-page editorial spread suited in designer labels Emporio Armani, Louis Vuitton and Kenzo. His images also appear online, on e-commerce platforms for just-unveiled Spring/Summer 2023 men's collections for high-end French clothing brand Faconnable, and Spanish luxury cashmere and wool company Pedro del Hierro.

It's an auspicious comeback for Allen, who was sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic and opted to remain home in Jamaica during the time of work upheaval.

"It feels good to do what I love and return to the swing of things," he said from Istanbul, Turkey.

"COVID was a big challenge, but it gave me the opportunity to spend meaningful time with family and friends, and also refocus on being a better person and becoming an even more rounded model," an introspective Allen shared.

The international model was first spotted more than a decade ago when he was a teenager at Kingston High School. At the time, Allen was a commuter on a bus when his striking features caught the eyes of Andrew Mullings, then executive assistant to SAINT's CEO Deiwght Peters.

"When Andrew approached me about modelling, I was not interested in the least. But after I gave it a try, and with every training session, slowly but surely, I began to like the experience," Allen said.

His career took flight in Milan, Italy, as an 18-year-old when he debuted exclusively on the catwalk for fashion houses Zegna and D Squared. Shortly thereafter, he became an in-demand face on the designer runways in New York, USA, and Paris, France, for an enviable list of the industry's biggest names, including Calvin Klein, Givenchy, Balmain and Hermes.

The SAINT model hit the major league when iconic American fashion house Ralph Lauren came calling and booked him for its Spring/Summer 2017 global campaign.

"That was a big moment for me landing that campaign," he said. "We shot in Malibu, California, and I went on to have a years-long relationship with the brand for everything, from designer presentations in Italy and Manhattan to multiple e-commerce shoots. I truly love working with the Ralph Lauren team, as they have always been super supportive of me," he added.

Currently in the the throes of professional bliss and hopscotching to Germany, England and Malta within the last few weeks for a slew of photoshoots, Allen is cognisant of the benefits afforded to him.

"I love being a model, because what other job would so easily have you travelling to exotic places all over the world and meeting wonderful people everywhere you go?" he said.

"I get to experience so many things and been to many places I've only seen on TV or heard of."

Looking ahead, the Jamaican star is eager to hit the runway again for the upcoming Spring/Summer 2023 men's collection showings, slated for June in the European fashion capitals. "Let's see what God has planned for my future," he said.