Daily Front Row

2011 November 17

Catching Up With...Joel West

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(NEW YORK) Recently, The Daily checked in with designer Richie Rich and legendary fashion journalist Hilary Alexander (just because!), but let's bring some eye candy to the table this week! Remember Calvin Klein model Joel West? Who could forget! He worked with every maje photographer, walked for every important designer in the nineties, and worked with Kate, Naomi and Christy. We gave him a call to find out what's new in his world, share some memories, and get the deets on his current TV gig. We'd be remiss if we didn't mention that it's no wonder he's considered one of the few male supermodels, he remains super sweet! Getting on the phone now... EDDIE ROCHE

 

Hey, Joel. Is this an OK time to talk?

Perfect! I'm driving and getting on the 10 East towards Palm Springs. It's a friend's 40th birthday this weekend.

 

So besides driving, what are you up to these days?

I've been living in LA for 14 years now. I moved out here to be an actor. I've been on and off busy with that, theatre, movies, guest starring roles. My biggest guest star appearance was 10 episodes of CSI Miami. Two years ago I went to Spain to play the role of Jesus in a movie. That was an exciting experience.

 

I bet!

Five years ago, I also got my general contractor's license, because acting wasn't as fruitful as I would have liked. I've now put acting aside because I have so many construction projects. I'm almost finished building a preschool; it's about a million dollar project. That's been my biggest one.

 

But you're not totally out of the limelight…

I'm finishing my first season of Design on a Dime on HGTV. I'm hosting and building custom pieces on the show. We just finished our 12th episode, and we've been picked up for another season, so that will be my full-time job. I'm not giving up acting, but I'm just not pursuing it sat heavily as I was before.

 

What's your company called?

West Boys Construction. I'm around a lot of old blue collar guys, and they have no idea of my past or my side-jobs.

 

Do people ever recognize you in your new profession?

Yeah, but with Google, who knows! If they are curious, they're going to find out. I did a project for this really cool actor who was in his seventies. He was on a bunch of shows like St. Elsewhere. I didn't want to tell him that I was a model or an actor because I'd lose validity as a general contractor, but this guy would talk about the acting business and being on set. He'd show me pictures and say, "This was called a movie set!" I never told him that I was an actor. 

 

Personal life? 

I've been married for going on 10 years. We have two kids.

 

Where did you meet your wife?

The dog park. Our dogs attacked each other. They were playing, but she was worried. The dogs are unfortunately in boxes in ashes today. They were the matchmakers, our original kids! When I first met my wife, I thought she was beautiful and looked like a sunflower. We were both seeing other people at the time, but we started dating a year later.

 

How has being a father changed your life? 

There is nothing better than coming home to your kids jumping on you. It makes you realize what's important. It's grounded me more than ever.

 

Let's talk about your career as a model. You were discovered at a Dairy Queen? Really?

It's true, actually. I was at the Mall of America in Minnesota. I was 16 or 17, and I was with my girlfriend at the time. A photographer/scout was there looking for young faces. That's how I was initially discovered. 

 

How old were you when you came to New York?

I came to New York at 19, but I was in Paris first. One of the first people I met in New York was Carolyn Bessette at Calvin Klein. She was so amazing. She saw something. That was the start...

 

Did you get to know her over the years?

I did. Not like Michael Bergin or anything. [Bessette and Bergin were lovers.] I admired her so much. She was so beautiful, she was just glowing. She was so sweet to all of the models. She treated us with dignity and respect. She was a big champion of the male model.  

 

You were 20 when you did the underwear campaign for CK. What was that like to have your body splashed all over?

It was shocking. I remember going to a newsstand and picking up a copy of Playboy. I was on the back cover, and it was the image of me with my legs spread in my underwear. I  was in shock, and got in a taxi and drove to my agency. I was like, 'What is going on here? This is nuts!' Then, there was all the controversy and conservative groups protesting. It made it really uncomfortable for me, for sure. I was pretty naive. I had a secluded upbringing in rural Iowa, so it was a big shock to my system.

 

Do you regret it?

No! It's pretty awesome. I appreciate it a lot more now.

 

Still wearing Calvin Klein undies now?

No. Sorry! I wear Hanes. Boring.

 

Do you have any of those pictures framed in your house?

I don't. I do keep my pictures in books. I have 10 portfolios with the old images. 

 

What was your favorite job?

The job that comes to mind was working with David LaChapelle on an editorial. It was a bunch of models naked in plexi glass boxes, weird stuff. I was the one that got to wear the clothes. It was very surreal. He was a wild nut job, so fun to work with. Another stand out was an editorial on a yacht with Amber Valletta for Mario Testino. 

 

What about working with Richard Avedon?

I'm so thankful that I had that experience. I worked with him later in my career. I remember sitting across from him at lunch, and he took the time to have a conversation with me. I couldn't believe it was happening, because he was such a legend. It was an uncomfortable shoot, because we used the old 8"x10" cameras, and we'd have to hold these funky, unnatural positions for a really long time, which makes his work unique, but it was very painful. You kind of need to see a chiropractor afterwards. 

 

You worked with Kate Moss...

A few times. Probably three or four runway shows. I did a shoot with her and Mario Testino. She's a funny girl.

 

Why do you say that?

She was very lively. You never knew what you were going to get. I don't know where she's at with her partying these days...One day it took her four hours in hair and makeup before she could actually start. She did not look like Kate Moss when she walked in. Who was that hot mess?

 

I'm assuming you didn't go to the wedding...

Is she married? I'm out of it.  

 

What about Naomi?

Best Naomi story was when we opened a Versace show together. It was a men's show and she was supposed to hold this card like she's a ring girl. We were supposed to meet in the middle of the runway, turn and then go to the end of the runway. In the middle of the runway, we stopped and posed, and she turned to me and said, 'Is this almost over? I'm sick of holding this card.' She handed it to me, and made me hold it. I was then stuck holding this sign that covered the white tuxedo that was supposed to be seen, because it was a men's runway show. I was like,'How much did she get paid to hold that and she couldn't hold a sign until the end of the runway?'

 

Did you work with Cindy Crawford?

I feel like she was before my time. I loved working with Christy Turlington. She was my favorite. I got to work with her on an eyewear job for Calvin. We were both in our underwear, and having a conversation with her in my underwear was kind of funny because I admired her so much.

 

Who are you still buddies with from back in the day?

I see guys out here sometimes. I used to run into Andrea Boccaletti a lot. I see Marcus Schenkenberg when I go to New York. I usually crash at his place when I go there. I used to hang with Boris Kodjoe a lot. 

 

Are you still with an agency for modeling?

I'm with Ford, but I haven't really spoken to them for quite awhile. Last year I was pushing hard, and I had a lot of good options, but nothing really big ever came through. 

 

Who is your acting agent?

Right now I'm with Don Caroll Management. I don't have an acting agent.

 

Maybe someone reading this will take you on! You never know...

You never know! 

 

Who was the most intimidating designer you worked with?

Hmmm…Gosh! I never thought of them as intimidating. The funny thing about working when Calvin Klein was still there, was there was so much anxiety when he was coming, 'Calvin's coming! Calvin's coming!' I was like, 'OK. Calvin's coming… Why is everybody freaking out?' There was a level of anxiety there that was higher than others, but the designers were all entertaining people. You could see they were in their own world. It was fun to watch. I felt lucky to be a part of that world and witness it. 

 

Is your body exactly the same as it was when you were appearing in the CK ads?

Exactly the same? [laughs] I'm 36. I am the same weight. I mountain bike like crazy and work out. My work keeps me pretty fit, and now I chase after my kids. 

 

If you were to give advice to a young male model today, what would you say?

Be very thankful of your opportunities, be professional, don't party too hard, use your judgement.

 

What would you Joel at 36 say to Joel at 20?

Take your time and enjoy each moment. It doesn't last forever. 

 

Would you encourage him to save money?

Yeah! I thought I was being good, but I wasn't. Take a financial course in saving.  

 

Don't miss Joel on Saturday nights on Design on a Dime on HGTV!