Born in the Free State, having lived in Durban and Cape Town and recently back from Thailand, where he was a part of the ZOOM International Model Agency where he was included in major campaigns like Thai Superstars in Bangkok  this young, beautiful South African model shares some of his journey with us.

 

Jay started modeling with Glam Models before joining Ice Models and eventually moving to Cape Town where he modeled for FanJam. It wasn’t long before he was off to grace the pages and billboards of international ad campaigns. He has appeared on billboards in India for Megamart Clothing and Jeffrey Bean and was part of the TATA motor car campaign.

 

He had been modeling part-time for five years when his mentor and coach, Durban fashion designer Haroun Hansrot, suggested that he was good enough to make it on the international scene. Of course, he took the advice seriously and realized that it would also be a great way to change perceptions about  modeling. Today, Jay is a huge success in the modeling world and a true example of ‘living the glamour’ without the negative connotations. As a model, one needs to take care of one’s body and health and Jay has done this in a stellar manner.

 

Both his parents are vegans and Jay was raised to believe that the body is the temple of the soul, so he grew up knowing how great the body feels when you eat well and exercise properly. Says Jay, “I was the skinny, little guy who was teased about his strange diet of only vegetables. But thanks to that, I that skated faster and exercised harder than anyone else. I always had loads of energy, and this made me the fastest skater when I represented South Africa at the ice hockey World Championship in 2006.” He loves exercising and lives a clean life  - no smoking or drinking alcohol or using artificial substances.

 

Having lived near the Vaal Dam for a while when he was young, Jay learned about and developed a love for sailing. He went on to be a full-time sailing instructor in Durban, coaching a development team for Sail Africa Youth Development School. Under his guidance they placed 2nd at the Provincial Championships in 2011. The team did extremely well in the Recent Lipton Cup regatta in Durban. From being complete amateurs, they went on to place 2nd at the Youth national championships and won a race at the national championships recently, beating top South African sailors. One of the young girls Jay trained, Talia Naidoo, who was a novice when he met her, is now on the African sailing team. Jay’s eyes light up with pride when he speaks about ‘his’ sailing team. The love and passion he has not only for the sport but for the sailors is evident.

 

A man of many talents, Jay is also a qualified International Latin American dance teacher. A few years ago he was part of a development project that taught dancing to kids in Soweto. Before his qualification Jay competed in many amateur dance competitions. He loves teaching dance, especially to bridal couples, and takes great pride when he sees them doing a great dance on the most wonderful day of their lives.

 

Jay is happy to share his knowledge of the modeling industry and often hosts talks for young aspirant models too. He recently did a talk to a group of new models and loved being able to give them tips on how to present themselves with confidence.

 

Clearly this is a man on a mission and whether he’s modeling in some exotic destination or teaching dance to wedding couples or sailing on the open sea, I’m sure we will be hearing about Jay D’engle for a long time to come.

 

“I broke a bone in my foot in Bangkok, and had to come back for an operation. I really missed the wonderful fruit and vegetables here, and the sea, and the beach, and the people.

 

 But the truth is: There really is no place like home!”