Fashion trends summer 2024
September 7, 2024
Isa Salmen
September 19, 2024
Jamie Villamor and Jon Gray are a dynamic duo known for their multifaceted careers and adventurous lifestyles. Both are successful models, with Jamie also being a competitive pistol shooter and Jon an entrepreneur expanding into international ventures. Together, they balance the demands of their public roles with a deep commitment to family and authenticity. Their journeys are driven by a passion for creativity, personal growth, and making a positive impact
You seem to be travelling and working constantly. How do you balance family life with those aspects of your careers?
We absolutely prioritise family time, but it requires effort and clear communication to maintain the right balance. We’ve been fortunate enough to create opportunities where we can incorporate our family into some of our work and travels, and we aim to carve out those moments throughout the year.
Could you give us an example of how you manage to incorporate your family into your work?
Certainly. We recently took our children to the Bahamas on a work trip. There’s a wonderful place we adore called Lazy Bay Villas, where the villas are right on the waterfront. The team there looks after the entire family, and there’s so much to do. We all enjoyed a visit to Pig Beach, seeing the iguanas, swimming with sharks, snorkelling, jet skiing, and so much more! The location also worked splendidly for Jamie’s work engagements.
Do you ever find it overwhelming to be on the road so often?
At times, it can feel like a lot, but we’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to explore so many incredible places and meet extraordinary people. We thrive on discovering new cultures and destinations, so the journey is always worth it.
How do you stay authentic when working with large brands or maintaining a public-facing role?
Staying true to ourselves is a blend of self-awareness, establishing boundaries, and aligning our personal values with our professional choices. For us, it comes rather naturally. Here are a few key strategies Jon and I employ:
Know Your Core Values
Understanding what drives you is essential. For us, it’s about serving others and sharing our journey. Our family is always at the heart of what we do. These values guide our decisions and help us remain true to ourselves, regardless of the setting.
Work with Brands That Reflect Your Values
Whenever possible, we choose to work with brands or organisations whose missions resonate with our own. This ensures we remain authentic in our collaborations.
Set Clear Boundaries
It’s vital to know where you stand. If a brand asks you to compromise your principles or authenticity, be prepared to say no or offer alternatives. We say no more often than yes, as not every brand is the right fit.
Stay Grounded
Public life, especially when it comes with high visibility, can be overwhelming. We maintain a strong personal routine—whether it’s working out, meditating, or journaling—which helps us stay centred and genuine, even in challenging situations.
What inspires you to take on new adventures and projects?
We draw inspiration from several key areas:
Curiosity
The desire to explore new ideas, learn, and push the boundaries of our understanding is a significant motivator. The unknown often presents opportunities for growth and discovery, which excites us.
Personal Growth
We’re often driven by the chance to challenge ourselves. Taking on new adventures that stretch our abilities and help us grow, whether through developing new skills or gaining deeper insight into the world, is incredibly important to us.
Creativity
The creative process inspires us—building something from the ground up, solving problems in innovative ways, and collaborating with passionate individuals.
Making a Positive Impact
Knowing that a project can have a positive effect on someone’s life or within a community fuels our passion. Contributing to something meaningful gives purpose to the journey.
The Thrill of Adventure
There’s a certain thrill in stepping out of our comfort zone and embracing the unknown. The excitement of venturing into unfamiliar territory adds an extra layer of excitement to new projects.
Inspiration from Others
Seeing the passion, resilience, and creativity of others can be incredibly motivating. For example, a friend of ours, Kayla Perez, recently summited Mount Everest, and witnessing people pursue their dreams inspires us to do the same.
These sources of inspiration turn new projects into opportunities for growth, discovery, and a sense of purpose, which ultimately drive us forward.
What qualities do you believe are essential for success in multifaceted projects?
Flexibility and Openness to Change
When dealing with complex projects, adaptability is crucial. Being able to pivot when faced with unforeseen challenges has helped us navigate tricky situations while keeping things moving forward.
Resilience
Setbacks are inevitable in any field. Resilience allows us to persist, learn from mistakes, and continue pushing forward, even when things don’t go as planned.
Curiosity
Approaching each project with curiosity ensures continual growth. The willingness to learn new skills and explore unfamiliar topics has broadened our capabilities and kept us open to fresh opportunities.
Time Management
Managing multiple projects requires disciplined time management. Prioritising tasks, setting realistic deadlines, and staying organised have all helped us stay productive without burning out.
Passion and Purpose
Passion is key. When you love what you do, it provides the energy and motivation to push through difficult moments. Aligning projects with a deeper sense of purpose keeps the drive alive.
How have these qualities helped you in your careers?
Curiosity has led us to opportunities we might not have otherwise considered—such as Jamie’s involvement in competitive pistol shooting or Jon’s business ventures abroad. Collaboration has also opened the door to meaningful partnerships. Ultimately, our combination of vision, time management, and passion has been the foundation of our professional success.
What’s one piece of advice you would give your younger self? (Jamie says)
“Trust the process, but don’t be afraid to carve your own path—and always let your intuition guide you.”
In the beginning, I often felt compelled to follow traditional routes to success. Looking back, I would tell myself to embrace uncertainty and trust my instincts more. Innovation and personal growth often come from stepping outside conventional structures and comfort zones. Following what resonates with your heart is, in my experience, the best path to success.
Photographer: Christos Sewell
Hair: Madison Decker @blondes.and.braids
Makeup: Maile Bello @mailebellomua
Nails: Kim Lahuillier
Stylist: Lisbeth Siren @iamlisbethsiren
Lashes: lux lash LV @luxlashhouselv
Hair product: Oribe
Makeup products: Pat McGrath, Charlotte Tilbury, Nars; Makeup by Mario
PR: @say__media