With a foot in both the academic and fashion worlds, he redefines what it means to be a modern Renaissance individual.
Team credits :
Model: Jaxson W. Holliday @j.w.holliday
Photographer: Lalo Torres @lalotorre
Contributing Fashion Editor / Stylist: Davis Carrasquillo @daviscarrasquillo
Grooming: Ammara Rana @ammararanamua
Jaxson Holliday is a young polymath, seamlessly integrating the analytical world of mechanical engineering with the creative realms of fashion modelling and the disciplined pursuit of athletic excellence. His journey began in Miami, where he ventured into modelling, and has since expanded to include a rigorous academic focus and a commitment to physical fitness. Balancing these diverse pursuits, Jaxson embodies the convergence of intellect, creativity, and discipline, aiming to leave a distinctive mark across multiple domains.
You’re just 19 and already juggling so many roles as a student, model, and athlete. What does a typical day in your life really look like??
Most mornings, I’ll start with my classes for engineering. Afterwards, I’ll go get some lunch and then head to the gym for about 1-1.5 hours. The rest of the day, I try to fit shoots, castings or fittings. No two days look the same, which makes my schedule sometimes inconsistent, but it works well for me.
When you’re on set, is there one thing you always keep with you that feels like a good-luck charm or a grounding ritual??
Normally, I’ll just take a deep breath and shake my hands out while bouncing on my toes like a boxer. Helps shake off the tension in the moment.
Do you remember the very first moment you felt the thrill of being in front of the camera? What was that experience like for you??
The first time I was a baby modelling for a magazine, and I don’t remember, and my first memory was in Miami doing a casting. I had a fake cake put in front of me, and they told me to speak as if I was congratulating a friend’s graduation. I just awkwardly started talking nonsense for about 30 seconds, and it was very strange. At the moment, I was very confused, but it’s funny now looking back.
You are studying Mechanical Engineering while also building a modeling career. How do these two worlds inspire or challenge each other?
I like that it keeps me busy. Engineering pushes me to problem-solve, while modeling teaches me be creative and present. One sharpens my logic, the other makes me a better presenter.
Discipline seems to define so much of your journey, whether in athletics, academics, or fashion. Where do you think that inner drive comes from??
I had a weight-lifting coach in high school who pushed me in the right direction. Having a great mentor like that and being in the gym, pushing my body to its limits, taught me that I can apply that same mentality to other aspects of my life.
Your parents’ victory on The Amazing Race is such a unique family story. How has growing up in a household filled with adventure shaped your own outlook on life??
It inspired me to achieve goals that would surpass their victory. To explore and do more than they ever had the opportunity to, facing it all without fear or doubt.
Many people see fashion as purely aesthetic, but you bring both style and substance to it. How do you personally define fashion??
For me, fashion is energy. Clothes are just the start—it’s how you carry yourself that makes them come alive.
Fitness clearly plays a big role in your routine. Beyond the physical results, what does training in the gym give you mentally and emotionally?
Training is like turning the volume down. If I’ve gone to the gym, it’s like nothing can bother me for the rest of the day. It also gives me more self-confidence, knowing that I’m doing right by myself, staying strong and in shape. I like to focus on leg and glute strength. My personal best is squatting 435 pounds!
Mechanical engineering is about solving problems and creating for the future. If you could design one innovation that blends technology and fashion, what would it be??
I’d design adaptive clothing. Something like jackets that adjust insulation based on temperature or fabrics that shift color with light. Something with a practical purpose, but looks good.
At 19 you are already stepping into spaces that demand confidence and vision. How do you stay grounded while navigating industries that can feel so fast-paced and image-driven?
I just feel that I have to do it. I feel like I’ve been given too many gifts to let it go to waste. With that in mind, my competitiveness only amplifies my ambition to perform at the highest level.
Your mother graced the cover of L’Officiel in 2022. What does it mean to you to now be part of that same legacy in fashion?
It’s surreal, honestly. Growing up, I always admired her confidence and grace and ability to remain humble. She’s a beautiful and resourceful woman. Now to be walking in her footsteps—and literally on the same cover she once was—is an honor. It feels like carrying a family torch in a modern way.
When you are not in front of the camera or in class, how do you like to unwind and reconnect with yourself?
I like to go have a nice quiet evening with my girlfriend, or I’ll just take a night to go hang out with my friends at one of our places. It’s relaxing being able to take a couple of hours out of a day to do something that isn’t work.
Looking ahead, do you see your future more on the runway, in the design lab, or in a place that combines both worlds??
Both. Engineering lets me think and tinker, and innovate, while offering a more than stable career. Modeling makes a great side hustle and lets me travel rather often, so I get to go see and learn about places I’ve never been to before.
