Julez Smith, Solange’s Son, Stuns for Vogue / Opens Up About Launching Modeling Career

Julez Smith is ready for his close-up!

The 19-year-old son of Solange Knowles and nephew of Beyonce, made headlines in February when he walked the Luar fashion show.

Serving as his runway debut, the much-praised performance kicked off a modeling career he says he is working hard to establish.

In a new profile feature for Vogue Magazine, Smith poses it up and opens up about his foray into fashion.

Full story below…

On Getting Into Fashion:

“It came pretty naturally.

Growing up, my grandma was doing costumes for my auntie and my mom, and I think my mom is one of the best-dressed people in the world. I just wanted to be fly and keep up with them—but I wanted to be on the modeling side.”

On Previous Career Aspirations:

“I went to school. I played basketball growing up, so that was always a big factor when picking a school. I always wanted to play for the school that had the best team. I was really a hooper—I thought I was going to the NBA.”

On Breaking Into Modeling:

“I’ve been wanting to model for a couple of years, it just never really worked out. Luar was really my breakthrough. I was actually interning with them for a couple of months, and maybe like a week before the show they were just like, “Come to the casting.” So I went to the casting and I got it.”

On What He Did While Interning at Luar:

“Anything they needed. Helping them out around the office, helping them style people, boxing things up; regular intern stuff.”

On His Feelings Stepping Onto the Runway for the First Time:

“It was jam-packed and nerve-racking, but it was a lot of fun. It was good to have my family there to support.”

On Preparing for His Debut:

“Nah, nobody coached me—I just spent a lot of time walking on the street like I was on a runway, and walking around my house. And my mom and my grandma were pretty consistent; they were like, “Practice, practice, practice.” I also watched a lot of runway videos on YouTube and saw how the models were so locked in. That’s how I learned.”

On Work Ethic:

“Growing up, my mom and aunt were doing photo shoots every other week, and I saw how jam-packed and busy it was. It’s good to already understand, Okay, you’re going to have to get up early, be on time, and work long hours. And everything moves really fast. It’s work, but I like it.”

On the Music He’s Listening To:

“I’ve been listening to a lot of Cleo Sol and Marvin Gaye. I’m a pretty chill person for the most part, but rap wise, I listen to a lot of Veeze and Babyface Ray—a lot of guys from Detroit.”

Your thoughts?

[Photo Credit: Andy Jackson / Vogue]