Oraine is 'Olympic Americana' leading man

Pulse's Oraine Barrett (right) with another model in Ralph Lauren's Winter Olympic campaign. - Contributed

Pulse and the Caribbean's leading male modelling star Oraine Barrett has captured another major assignment, this time as the front man for Ralph Lauren's Polo Winter Olympic campaign. The worldwide release of the campaign comes ahead of one of sport's biggest global events which begins in Vancouver, Canada, later this month.

Charged with styling the official US 2010 Winter Olympic team, Ralph Lauren summoned the top Jamaican model to star in his 'Olympic Americana' campaign. Barrett channels the spirit of the red, white and blue, courtesy of the All-American mega brand and showcases the smart and sleek outfits to be worn by Team USA during the games.

Shot by world-renowned photographer Arnaldo Anaya Lucca, Barrett, who is no stranger to the iconic Polo brand, takes chief campaign credits, donning svelte vests, cardigans and tailored slacks bearing the indomitable Polo logo as well as the trademark Olympic patch. "This was certainly another great partnership between myself and the Ralph Lauren brand. I thought the designs were fantastic and I look forward to continuing our amazing synergy." said Barrett, "It was definitely a wonderful project and I thoroughly enjoyed working with the cast and crew".

Solid partnership

And it has indeed been a solid partnership for both Barrett and Lauren. Since bursting on the scene in 2004, Barrett has climbed steadily up the fashion rung with early campaigns for Abercrombie & Fitch, Pepe Jeans and Liz Claiborne, until catching the attention of fashion directors at Ralph Lauren. He was primed and then selected as the worldwide face of Polo, making him the second Caribbean native (after Tyson Beckford) to hold the honour. The Pulse model has also donned Lauren's ultra-exclusive Purple Label brand and now his central role in the official 2010 Olympic Americana campaign buoys his star status even further.

Positive indication

An athlete himself in his formative days at Munro College in St Elizabeth, Jamaica, the Ralph Lauren Winter Olympic campaign heralds a positive indication of what will be an amazing 2010 for Barrett. His latest bookings - campaigning for footwear giants Timberland and eyewear nouveau Pure Metal; exclusive editorials for the Japanese edition of fashion's foremost authority on style, Vogue, with acclaimed photographer Steven Klein; cover of Brazil's DOM Magazine among other high notes - detail Barrett's unwavering stature and versatility in an ever-changing industry.

Oraine was discovered through Pulse's Caribbean Model Search in 2004. His career is littered with many significant campaigns, including Phat Premium, Pepe Jeans and John Bartlett. There have also been several illustrious milestones, including his Italian Vogue spread, Arena Homme, ID magazine and a special feature in Interview magazine.

Oraine Barrett (centre) stands tall in Ralph Lauren gear.