I was Planning on Becoming a Mechanic: Jen Dawson on her Meteoric Modelling Journey

Confession time: I interviewed Jen about 2 years ago for this. But it was such a huge interview, with such a huge model that I had respected for many years, that I procrastinated on it. I don’t know why, and it’s played on my brainlet for ages now, but here we are: finally writing up my Jen interview! Jen has had an absolutely incredible career, shooting for enormous photographers like Lachapelle and Jeurgen Teller, campaigns for global brands like Moschino and Agent Provocateur and a ridiculous commercial career filled with ad after ad. Her bob haircut, ridiculous body and effortless, fun style of modelling have kept her in the game and a firm favourite of lots of casting directors. I hate going in a casting after Jen, because I watch the client come out, give her a big hug and then walk her out of the casting with tears of mirth rolling down their face and a nod and a wink – it’s a tough act to follow!

Now for those of you that don’t know Jen…I first ‘discovered’ her when on a shoot, many moons ago, for the designer Katharine Hamnett. There were pics of Jen everywhere, pulling impish faces and carefree poses that really inspired me. I had always been a good model, but Jen was another level in terms of exuding fun and sexiness! I then realised that she was constantly on the TV in commercials, always giving off the same playful air. I’d say the word ‘stalker’ is a bit over-the-top but I was definitely model-crushing on Jen hard: she looked amazing in pictures but never like she was ‘modelling’. I think I even Facebook messaged her once in the hope of striking up a friendship…I’d see Jen everywhere, at auditions for TV presenting and general casting, as well as every other Tube poster.

We properly ‘met’ on a casting for Brandalley, in which we had to pretend to hold up a bank. Then the callback, where we had to hold up the bank…In underwear. I did the third callback where I was told the job was mine, then waited on tenterhooks to be confirmed. A week later, Jen DM’d me on Twitter to say she’d got it and hoped it wouldn’t come between us. Of course not! I was upset at the client for stringing me along and not even ringing Bookings to take the option off, but pleased for Jen as she’d recently had her daughter, Zuni, and it was a great way to get back in the game. The advert was everywhere, and she was the best woman for the job.

I was so excited to interview Jen, and it didn’t disappoint. She’s had a fascinating life and career so far. We met up in a Bills to chew the fat (or rather the cous cous) and explore her adventures…

R: How did you get into modelling?

J: I was 15, and a total goth. I’d been a complete dweeb before this: tall, braces coloured in orange blue and white. My parents hated the goth phase and I went off to a ‘finishing school’. I can vividly remember my teacher’s name…Delyse Humphries. Every Sunday we’d learn etiquette, how to introduce ourselves, how to walk downstairs and down escalators and how to fold napkins. [R: for anyone that knows Jen and her hilarious and often crude antics, this is a pretty funny mental image].

One day, Delyse told us about a casting with a real London model agency. Everyone was blonde, beautiful and loads of them were wearing blue contact lenses. I was waiting at the back, in fact my mum had come along for the ride. I did my walk on this T-shaped runway and there was Kathryn Carter-Allen from Bookings sitting at the table: when she saw me she stood up and said, “OH MY GOD!” I had no idea what I’d done wrong, but saw that they had smiles on their faces, seeming really excited…Essentially I had no clue what was going on.

They asked me if I’d come down in the Easter holidays and model, I just thought., “OK great.” There were two other models they’d said yes to: Kerry Harrison and Antonia (I forget the surname). Kelly was living in the model apartment in Cambridge Gardens and I came down for a taster in my holidays.

R: What about school?

J: I was 16 and had no A Levels but I hated school. I was a tortured goth…I had no aspirations, no idea of what I wanted to do. I was planning on being a mechanic, if anything. I loved music, especially metal, but there weren’t many creative jobs up north.

R: So how was it coming to London?

J: The model apartment was utterly revolting. There was mould growing in the teapot. The ash tray was piled high, though not long after it was thoroughly cleaned (thank God). I was sleeping in a camp bed. It was all so foreign to me: I was smoking heavily, I didn’t know how to live or what to buy.

By Jeurgen Teller

R: And how was your career going?

J: My first job was for Company magazine in Dungeness. I remember feeling my first thrill of chemistry with the photographer on set. I find shooting a bit like sex: there’s flirting, foreplay and it’s like creating magic, no matter what gender the photographer is. I love it. I know when we’ve got the shot: it’s like a feeling of magic: I get tingles. I know I’m good at modelling, at moving: I always bring that magic.

I was doing loads of great editorial. iD, The Face (I nearly got the cover: i was devastated when I didn’t) and I shot loads with Juergen Teller, who I still see and text sometimes.

R: He’s a real legend – what’s he like to work with?

J: He’s calm. He lets you be. I put a lot of trust in him.

I LOVE this image! For iD Magazine with Teller. Image from Pinterest.

R: When I discovered you, you were at Premier, so when did you leave Bookings?

J: I loved Bookings like family, but I wanted to see what it would be like at a bigger agency. I was edgy and it didn’t quite feel like the right fit, but I felt terrible and I know I broke Kathryn’s heart. I went to Select and started working with Meisel, and the crazy days really started.

R: What do you mean?

J: I didn’t really know how to look after myself. Don’t get me wrong, I had a lot of fun, but I just threw myself in at the deep end with loads of parties. It wasn’t all sex and drugs: I was more a weed girl, but I was in at the deep end of the ocean rather than a swimming pool.

I was constantly on the move: Paris, New York, Tokyo, living out of a suitcase. I was pretty lonely. I didn’t have close friends, there wasn’t the internet as there is these days, and it was telling on my appearance. I was just too tired. Eventually I did I start making proper friends: Charity Hair, Charlotte Connoly, Kate Orr and Sarah Mac.

R: How was Tokyo? It was famous for making models LOADS of money, but when I went I think I had just missed out on those days…

J: Yeah, I think I came back with 20k. It was crazy in Japan, and I embraced it! But by the end of all these mad years I needed some time off. It was just insanely knackering and I was exhausted after working constantly. So I took three years off.

R: Wow three years! What did you do?

J: Nothing. I didn’t study or anything. I just rented a house in East Finchley with an ex and smoked weed and chilled. Maybe I could have hit the big time if I hadn’t done this, but who really knows? I knew I needed that time off.

R: And how did you get back into it?

J: I went to Australia for months. I didn’t do much travelling, just went to Sydney, and wow it was an amazing time. I really found myself, and I worked loads, taking some incredible pictures that are still in my book. My parents even came out – I love my parents – they’re wonderful people. There was sunshine, I was single and it was just me.

R: Is this when you joined Premier?

J: Yes, I loved it. Carol [The boss of Premier – R] is an inspirational woman, she’s so great and I really look up to her. I had a bloody good run at Premier. I had a fun time, all the time, and this is when I started working for Agent Provocateur.

R: This is the most famous stage of Jen isn’t it: I remember reading about you in the Sunday Times Magazine and how ‘curves were in’ and there was a pic of you, wearing Agent Provacateur and doing your ‘not-modelling-modelling’ where you look super hot, but aren’t contorting yourself into crazy body positions.

By photographer and great friend of Jen, Tim Bret-Day for AP. I think that’s MTF pal Tuuli holding the camera!

J: They were a great crew, and working with them was like enjoying hanging out with my mates. They had such a good vision.

R: You famously posed naked in the window of Selfridges for AP, and have always radiated confidence in your body. Is this a conscious decision for you?

J: I’m comfortable in my skin. When I was working for AP I was doing f**k-all, in terms of exercise. I’m comfy naked, but I’m not an exhibitionist (though Google will say different! Ha ha). I have cellulite, I’m a woman, I’m OK.

R: Did that change at all after giving birth to your daughter, Zuni?

J: It is a bit different now: my body has changed. I’ve had to start doing my gym and Kayla Itsines to keep within the measurements. I’m still comfy though. OK, these are my thoughts. It may sound w**ky, but models are a total minority of amazing Goddesses. It’s almost a bit sh**ty that people are expected to look aspire to look like models because it’s not possible. But people aren’t aware of this, so they either adore and aspire to look like that or they totally hate on us. Everyone should aim to be happy in themselves.

Thank you Jen, for enlightening us on your career and, as always, following your own path and what feels right. Jen is now training to be a Reiki practitioner, and you can find out more at theelectricangel.com