Joan Smalls Quotes

Powerful Joan Smalls for Daily Growth

About Joan Smalls

Joan Smalls, born on July 11, 1988, in Hatillo, Puerto Rico, is a trailblazing fashion model and philanthropist who has redefined beauty standards in the industry. Growing up in a small town, Smalls' passion for modeling was ignited at the age of 15 when she was discovered by a talent scout during a trip to her grandmother's house in New York City. After moving to New York, Smalls signed with Elite Model Management and quickly rose through the ranks, walking for designers such as Prada, Versace, and Chanel within her first year. In 2010, she became the first Latina model to walk for Calvin Klein in over a decade, solidifying her status as a groundbreaking figure in the fashion world. Smalls' influence extends beyond the runway. She has graced the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and i-D Magazine, and has been featured in high-profile advertising campaigns for brands like Estée Lauder, Lancome, and Tom Ford. In 2017, she made history as the first Latina model to appear on the cover of American Vogue three times. In addition to her modeling career, Smalls is deeply committed to philanthropy. She serves as a global ambassador for (RED), an organization that fights AIDS in Africa, and has partnered with UNICEF to support education initiatives in her home country of Puerto Rico. Smalls continues to push boundaries and inspire generations with her unapologetic beauty and fierce advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry. Her story serves as a testament to the power of self-belief, perseverance, and the transformative impact of representation.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Always believe in yourself and never doubt who you are."

This quote emphasizes self-confidence and self-acceptance. Joan Smalls encourages everyone to have faith in their own abilities, strengths, and identity. By advising against self-doubt, she suggests that questioning one's worth or capabilities can hinder personal growth and success. Instead, she urges individuals to embrace who they are and recognize their unique qualities, allowing them to live a fulfilling life with self-assurance and resilience.

"I think it's really important for young girls and women of color to see themselves represented."

This quote emphasizes the significance of representation, particularly for young girls and women of color, in creating a more inclusive and equitable society. When individuals can see themselves reflected in media, art, or other aspects of culture, it fosters a sense of belonging and empowers them to aspire towards those roles. Representation contributes to breaking down stereotypes, challenging norms, and inspiring future generations to pursue their dreams without limits based on their race or gender.

"Success is not just about what you accomplish in your life but the overall person you become."

This quote by Joan Smalls highlights the multidimensional nature of success. It suggests that while achieving personal goals or milestones is a crucial part of success, true success encompasses more than just accomplishments. It includes the development of one's character, values, and overall growth as a person. In essence, it implies that becoming a compassionate, resilient, and well-rounded individual contributes significantly to achieving a meaningful form of success.

"Beauty comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and backgrounds."

This quote by Joan Smalls emphasizes the universal and diverse nature of beauty. It asserts that beauty is not confined to any specific shape, size, color, or cultural background; instead, it exists in all its variances and forms. This perspective encourages a more inclusive understanding of beauty, breaking down traditional stereotypes and celebrating the richness and diversity that makes up our world.

"I've learned that the more I love myself, the less I need the validation of others."

This quote by Joan Smalls underscores the power of self-love and self-acceptance in fostering personal growth and independence. It suggests that when one has a strong sense of self-worth and self-esteem, they become less dependent on external validation from others. Instead, they find contentment within themselves, reducing their need to seek approval or affirmation from others.

My personal style is bipolar. Sometimes I feel like dressing in a boyish leather jacket; other times I want to dress more elegantly. Most of the time it's what I like to call 'comfortable chic': Giuseppe Zanotti flat sandals, Rag & Bone jeans, slouchy Isabel Marant shirts.

- Joan Smalls

Dress, Sometimes, Other, Flat

A career high was when I did a cover for 'W Magazine's July issue with Steven Meisel. So few girls shoot with Meisel in their career, and a lot of people had told me I would never achieve that, so it was a dream come true.

- Joan Smalls

Career, Achieve, Had, Steven

I felt most beautiful on the red carpet in Givenchy's sheer lace dress at a dinner hosted by Givenchy in honor of Marina Abramovich at the closing of her Museum of Modern Art retrospective, 'The Artist is Present', in 2010. It was the first time I had been dressed for an event, and everybody just fell in love with the dress.

- Joan Smalls

Love, Dress, Been, Retrospective

I would always hunch over, I was always taller than the boys. I had the extremely skinny legs... I would double up my socks, those ones from Footlocker, to make my legs look thicker.

- Joan Smalls

Always, Over, Taller, Thicker

When you look at the world, the world isn't just one palette. It's a beautiful rainbow, and why not have someone to represent that rainbow?

- Joan Smalls

Beautiful, Look, Why, Why Not

I think it's nice to know that people in the industry are paying attention to all of the hard work you've done throughout the years and rewarding you for it. It reminds you to keep doing it, to keep pushing yourself, and to always remain that way.

- Joan Smalls

Doing, Rewarding, I Think, Reminds

I became obsessed watching fashion TV shows when I was a teenager and recognized that I had the height and body frame. I especially became hooked when I saw on 'E! True Hollywood Story' how much a model can make and how I can achieve a better living for my family and me.

- Joan Smalls

Hollywood, TV, Became, Teenager

I just want to continue to break barriers and to show the industry and the world that beauty is diverse, and you don't have to be a certain stereotype to be beautiful.

- Joan Smalls

Beauty, Want, Break, Diverse

I'm a little bit of everything. Sometimes people think I'm not Puerto Rican, because my name doesn't sound Spanish.

- Joan Smalls

Think, Spanish, Puerto Rican, Puerto

I know I'm representing a group - black, Latin, whatever you want to put me with - and I want to show that they are beautiful the way they are. I think that's really important for our youth to see.

- Joan Smalls

Think, Want, I Think, Latin

I was always very, very insecure about my height. Even as a 15-year-old I was a foot and a half taller than everyone.

- Joan Smalls

Always, Very, Taller, Height

I still get butterflies when I'm doing a runway show. The music starts, you're wearing these gorgeous clothes and your nervous about your high heels, if your shoes are going to break, if your going to slip or do something wrong.

- Joan Smalls

Doing, Butterflies, Show, Slip

I would like to pick Rihanna's brain. I love her style and what she does.

- Joan Smalls

Love, She, I Love, Rihanna

I try not to go to sleep with makeup, because I think it clogs your pores. I always wash my face with something that contains salicylic acid.

- Joan Smalls

Makeup, Think, Always, Contains

I also work out because I have scoliosis. I have to maintain certain strength in my core.

- Joan Smalls

Work, Strength, Core, Work Out

Fashion is part of our culture, and it's about more than just a pretty dress.

- Joan Smalls

Culture, Dress, Pretty, Fashion

When you want something so bad and when something great happens, I think it's instinct that you say, 'This is gonna be the moment that's gonna change everything. Everybody is gonna see me a different way.'

- Joan Smalls

Bad, Everybody, I Think, Different Way

I adore my two older sisters, Erika and Betsy.

- Joan Smalls

Two, Older, Sisters, Adore

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