SAINT’s Jessie Craig fronts Miu Miu’s latest collection
Published:Sunday | January 5, 2025 | 12:09 AM
Jessie Craig, SAINT International breakout star, is a Miu Miu girl. The Jamaican beauty from Spanish Town shines as one of three faces in the Italian luxury brand’s newly launched advertising campaign for its Prelude 2025 collection, which had its debut last Thursday. Craig shares the spotlight with Chinese model Xiaohan Chen and Argentine national Ro Pinheiro for the high-end fashion assignment.
This marks a crowning achievement for Craig, who just three months ago stormed the runway as Look 54 in legendary creative director Miuccia Prada’s Miu Miu Spring-Summer 2025 show in Paris.
“The opportunity to shoot my first luxury-brand campaign was thrilling,” a justifiably animated Craig told The Sunday Gleaner.
“It’s an inspiring moment I’ll always remember. I found out I was booked for the Miu Miu Prelude project when I was in London last October and remember saying to Jill, my apartment manager, how excited I was to shoot this brand as I’ve seen their layered style of outfits.”
Shot in Milan, Italy, back in November by photographer Alessio Bolzoni, the new campaign – featuring Miu Miu’s latest signature raw cuts and dynamic tailoring of blousons, pleated miniskirts, and single-breasted jackets – was creative-directed by Edward Quarmby and styled by the influential and in-demand Lotta Volkova, who has a long history of working with SAINT models for Balenciaga and Ferragamo.
Already, Craig is squarely on Team Lotta. “Working with her was great. Her creative approach brought a unique energy to the project, and she’s just the sweetest soul,” she shared, adding, “I have fallen in love with Miu Miu as it’s a very unique brand that gives a mix of youthful fun and modern sophistication, and I really respect how Lotta delivered her special touch to the collection.”
Prior to Craig’s new campaign for the brand, SAINT’s Nigerian star Tomiwa Adesina co-fronted Miu Miu’s Spring-Summer 2020 advertising campaign alongside supermodel Bella Hadid.
Contrary to the general slowdown being experienced in the luxury market, Miu Miu, which falls under The Prada Group, has bucked the trend and seen its sales delivering a major uptick globally.
Craig remembers well her introduction to Miu Miu after being booked and strutting the catwalk on the last day of Paris Fashion Week last October. She was joined by two other SAINTS, Dru Campbell and Sanique Dill, in the model cast that also included Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank and Academy Award-nominated actor Willem Dafoe, who closed the show.
“It was reassuring to be in the show with Dru and Sanique,” she reflected. “Sharing the experience with my two SAINT sisters brought joy and comfort. We were always together backstage unless we had to go and do hair and makeup. That’s when we’d separate. And knowing our agent, Dewight Peters, was backstage all the way from Jamaica, made us really happy.”
Subsequent to the two-day Prelude collection shoot, Craig disclosed that she extended her Milan stay to shoot different projects for Miu Miu.
Set to depart the island this week for work obligations in Europe, the rising fashion star – signed to Elite Paris, Monster Management in Milan and The Squad Management in London – looks to build upon the lessons learnt from her Fashion Week cycle debut.
Craig had the most auspicious of beginnings, with an exclusive booking by SAINT CEO Deiwght Peters for the much-hyped Valentino Spring-Summer 2025 show, and was gifted the honour of being the closing model.
“I learned the importance of patience and staying focused and positive alongside the excitement. Pops (Peters) was there every step of the way, and I also realised you need someone like him who believes in you from day one,” the 20-year-old said.
She continued, “Going into the next fashion month cycle, I’ll carry the lessons of trusting and believing in myself more and embracing every opportunity that comes along no matter how challenging.”
Speaking further, the newly appointed frequent flyer said: “I enjoy being in Europe because it’s a mix of culture, history and atmosphere. It’s also a great place to start your career as a new model. Each city has its own vibe going on, and there’s always something new and thrilling to discover. As for learning new languages, Duolingo has been my friend. This app can help you learn any language you’re short on even if it’s a new phrase.”
Cluing us in as to what her New Year’s resolutions are, Craig said: “I’m determined to push my limit and grow both my career and personal life. I plan to stay disciplined, work hard, be positive, and present for the wonderful opportunities while also taking time to rest and reflect. I am excited for greater things to come. 2025 will be special.”