Hot-Lister Jan Baiboon has been climbing her way up Models.com’s ranks since her start in 2013 in her native Bangkok market. After a few years of developing her book, a chance introduction to a European agent catapulted the Thai native almost overnight with her first exclusive debut for Burberry S/S 2020 show. “I met Riccardo Tisci at Burberry [and] he asked me if I would change my hair color to copper, and as you can see, I have kept it ever since!” Since then, the Burberry muse has been seen on the runways of Chanel, Simone Rocha, Rick Owens, and Kenzo while stacking up money jobs for Fendi, Bottega Veneta, Dion Lee, and Carolina Herrera. Currently stationed in London, the copper-tinged charmer has worked with the staunch visions of photographers like Rafael Pavarotti, Scott Trindle, and Alexandra Leese. Models.com spoke with Baiboon about how she got her start, her impressive show list, and moments that have stood out in her career so far.
Where are you from and how were you discovered?
I’m from Bangkok, Thailand, and my real first name is Baiboon [Arunpreechachai]. A few years ago, I went to a modeling contest in Bangkok but didn’t win anything. After that, I was scouted again for Bangkok Fashion Week and I walked almost every show. I had never thought about it before but it was a new experience for me at that age and I always liked to challenge myself to try and do something new. Then, a Thai photographer introduced me to a European scout who took my picture to Wilhelmina Models in London. A month later, miraculously, I was contacted by the director of Wilhelmina London, who was interested in becoming my agent!
Looking back at some of the shoots that you’ve done, what moments have stood out in your career?
Shooting Vogue with Daniel Jackson was great, the images he created were so crisp and the clothes were striking colors against a stark white background. The contrast and slight clash really did it for me and the other girls in the shoot were just next level to me (Lila Moss, Georgia Palmer, Ajok Daing, and Janet Jumbo).
Take us back to your Burberry exclusive debut back in 2019, how was your first runway experience?
It was quite an intense introduction to London. I met Ricardo Tisci at Burberry, who asked me to do his exclusive show for S/S 2020. For the A/W 21 show, he asked me if I would change my hair color to copper and as you can see, I have kept it ever since! It was exciting for me, it was my first show in Europe with a major brand (and also as an exclusive for Burberry!) I felt super nervous, so my main focus was on walking without falling over, lol.
You walked for Giambattista Valli and Iris Van Herpen’s Fall 22 shows during couture week this summer. How was the experience working backstage and walking for that level of craftsmanship?
Wow! It was such an incredible experience when I saw the garments, the team, the level of preparation and details that go into construction, and especially the embroidery of the garments. It became a transformative experience to wear it. Somehow the characters that can be conveyed by clothing came through to me in those moments, and to be honest, it was quite a special feeling for me; it felt performative and immersive.
Is there anyone that you look up to in the industry and why?
I don’t have any idols. I’m doing it for Thailand. I want people to see what I’m doing and I hope they can take inspiration from it. Everything is possible, you have to be brave and do it!
What is the most surprising thing about you? When you’re not modeling, what mostly takes up your time?
I am incredibly powerful like everyone is, but nobody knows that! I always kept a lot of ideas in my head but I’m pushing them out to the world now! I actually don’t have a lot of free time between work and travel but the free time I do have I like to spend in thinking, reading, exploring the UK countryside and relaxing as well as thinking of every tomorrow and what it will bring.
What changes, if any, would you like to see in the fashion industry?
Well, the talk since the pandemic was a calm down in the cyclical nature of fashion but things seem to have sped back up rapidly, unfortunately. I can see changes happening with environmental impacts and inclusivity and I hope to see this continuing and evolving for the best.
Are there any designers or creatives you’d like to work with that you haven’t?
So many! You know fashion is such a big industry — so many fascinating creative people. I don’t have specific names right now, as I like to be a part of the creation of an image or an idea or an outfit.
