The first four pages of the August/September fashion issue of Giant are full page adverts for Phat Premium, the new executive brand from Phat Farm. The new fall campaign features dark and lovely Rod 2.0 fave Oraine Barrett, the Jamaican-born model who is storming the runways for Ralph Lauren and seen everywhere from Flaunt to the cover of OUT. Photography is by Camilla Akrans.
What caught our eye is the fact that Oraine's Barrett's distinctive facial scar was not retouched. This is often the case in most of his major print campaigns—such as when the model made the cover of OUT's summer double issue. (He was also retouched for VIBE twice in the last year.) Oraine Barrett was featured in the June FLAUNT and the editors decided not to airbrush the scar. Speaking for me personally, it is very refreshing to observe some honesty in the fantasy-driven fashion industry. Oraine is a beautiful man. A modeling agent and a photographer have shared the story behind the scar and it's very touching.
Oraine Barrett is represented by New York City-based Major Models, who also reps Rod 2.0 faves such as Chad White, Joshua Sarrazola and Marcus Hill.
Bravo to Phat Farm and Oraine Barrett.
More FASHION
More ORAINE BARRETT
Did You Read ? ...
The Hottest Models Come "Out" [R20]
Oraine Barrett Flaunts It [R20]
This is a very nice post. Thanks for pointing this out.
Posted by: Tim L | 08 September 2008 at 13:44
Oraine is very handsome, with or without the scar. It is very interesting that "Out" and "Vibe" retouched the scar but "Flaunt" and "Giant" did not. It doesn't see, to have a racial or economic angle, only style.
Posted by: Alvin Baxter | 08 September 2008 at 13:47
To be very honest, I've seen this model many times and never knew he had this facial scar. Wow. It's great that he gets so much work.
And please let me say Rod welcome back, you were missed and much needed.
Posted by: Andy | 08 September 2008 at 13:51
Did he get the star before or after he started modeling? I've never seen it before.
Posted by: David | 08 September 2008 at 14:00
Major kudos on this shoot!!! Finally a little reality seeps into the fashion pages. I love it.
and btw, that scar is SO sexy .....
Posted by: Taylor Siluwé | 08 September 2008 at 16:19
He is very handsome but why is it that black people feel the need to represent realness in the fashion industry? Fashion is about fantasy. All that scar says is "black savage beauty" or "he's had a hard life but look at him model." Those images play into white stereotypes about blacks. I've seen a lot of flawless black men, both models and actors, that can't get work because they may over shadow their white counter part. I pass brothers on the streets from L.A. to Harlem that should be taking the fashion industry by storm but can't because the white world of fashion just can't take all that flawless beauty.
Posted by: freeleo | 08 September 2008 at 16:59
I was disappointed that there wasn't more Barrett in that "Out" spread. Great cover, but only one shot inside....wtf!?
Posted by: ReggieH | 08 September 2008 at 17:00
I agree with Reggie. The Out cover was very nice but I wanted more.
Brotha Freeleo, we may disagree. I am all for fantasy but sometimes want fashion to refelect reality. If for no other reason, seeing the scar reminds us all that no one is perfect and many of these models look like you or me. Just my thoughts.
Posted by: Carter G | 08 September 2008 at 17:05
I also did not know this model had a scar. I agree, it's very sexy. Oh and welcome back Rod, I hope your tech issues are solved!
Posted by: Willy | 08 September 2008 at 17:12
another fine specimen
Posted by: nahtans | 09 September 2008 at 02:47