IN CONVERSATION WITH SHOMARI FRANCIS

Interview by Jana Letonja

Shomari Francis is an international model, who got discovered after working for his hometown hospital as an emergency department technician during the pandemic. Outside of his modeling career he is working on educational projects geared towards optimizing one’s overall wellness.

left
full look JIL SANDER
right
full look MM6 MAISON MARGIELA

Shomari, you’ve been a model for the past two years. Tell us more about how your modeling career got started.

It all began when I decided to step out of my hometown bubble and take a solo trip to Los Angeles. In LA, I made some friends who suggested that I should get into the modeling scene. One of them was a stylist and the other was a photographer, so we decided to head to Venice Beach and see what we could come up with. They both handled everything professionally, sourcing the clothing and the photoshoot location, which ended up being the Venice Beach basketball court where we took some great photos. You can see the first images on my Instagram. The shoot was a lot of fun, but ultimately, I didn’t expect anything to come from it. However, the photographer posted the images on their Instagram, promoting the post to modeling agencies. Within a few weeks, a mother agent reached out to me. I wasn’t sure if it was a scam initially, but after a few FaceTime calls, it felt legitimate. Eventually, they flew me back out to LA and I got signed.

Did you ever think about this career before you got discovered by a modeling agency?

A few people suggested I look into modeling, but it never occurred to me that it was a career I could seriously pursue. It wasn’t until this opportunity presented itself that I began considering it as a potential career.

full look GUCCI

What excites you the most about modeling and fashion?

Modeling becomes exciting for me when I view it as a form of creative expression. I enter a flow state during a shoot and enjoy pushing my strength and flexibility. I always hope it captures well and it usually does.

Can you share with us a bit more about your favorite memory from your modeling career so far?

My favorite memory in my modeling career so far was probably booking my first job. I remember being in LA for just one weekend, completing four test shoots. I was so exhausted one day that I slept in the Uber on the way to the next shoot. On the way home, my agent e-mailed me to tell me I had booked a job. I was so excited that I called my mom from the airport and told her I was going to quit my job when I landed. It may have been a bit premature in hindsight, but sometimes you have to take a leap of faith.

full look BALENCIAGA

underwear BALENCIAGA
jacket & boots ANDRE DEVEAUX STUDIO

Which brands would you say you connect the most with over their values and vision?

I’m not a big consumer. I’m somewhat of a minimalist, but when I got my first job in high school at a restaurant, I remember happily spending what I could at Urban Outfitters. To this day, when I need a new look, Urban Outfitters is my go-to. I love the earthy and dreamy feel of their clothes and it’s such a comfortable place to shop.

Before being discovered, you worked at your hometown hospital as an emergency department technician. You have a background in medical biology and psychology. Do you ever miss this line of work? Is it still something you plan to continue doing in the future?

I am incredibly grateful for my experience as a healthcare worker and often think about ways I can contribute to and impact people’s health.

bag DIESEL

full look DIESEL
glasses OAKLEY

Outside of your modeling career, you’re currently working on educational projects geared towards optimizing one’s overall wellness. Why is an individual’s overall wellness so important in life?

An individual’s overall wellness is critical because it is essentially your vehicle for experiencing all of life as you know it.

Your upcoming project focuses on the importance of cultivating proper breathing mechanics and the benefits they bring forth. What made you decide your project focusing on breathing techniques? Tell us more about the whole project.

I became fascinated with breathing techniques last year after reading a book called ‘Breath’ by James Nestor. I was surprised that what I learned was not mainstream knowledge. Since then, I’ve practiced different breathing techniques, tracking their impact through daily journal entries and health analytics from my Apple Watch. I’m now working on sharing this knowledge through social media to raise awareness of the importance of proper breathing mechanics.

What are your goals and dreams for the future? What impact do you want to have on the world and society?

I have too many goals and dreams to list here, but one of my current goals is to create an online space where people can find simple, actionable steps to achieve better overall wellness. Although I am by no means an expert, I believe there are many gaps in our educational system that I hope to help fill. There are so many ways we can optimize our lifestyles to improve the quality of our lives and work towards the lives we desire. Many people settle for the life they have, but I believe that with some focused attention and a clear vision, anyone can create their own path to freedom.

Shomari, when you’re not working or modeling, what are some of your biggest passions and hobbies?

When I’m not working or modeling, you can usually find me in the gym, reading my Kindle or listening to podcasts and audiobooks. Lately, I’ve been fascinated with dream science and am currently recording my dreams and experimenting with lucid dreaming. I find the topic of consciousness incredibly interesting, so I’m always keen to learn more in this field.

jewelries PARTS OF FOUR
trousers SALVATORE FERRAGAMO

talent SHOMARI FRANCIS @shomarifrancis @nevsmodels
photographer EDDIE BLAGBROUGH @eddieblagbrough
stylist ANDRE DEVEAUX @andredeveaux
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA @timiletonja