a conversation with
Jan Strimple
When I began thinking about what it means to be a fashion icon . I realized it meant more than setting trends others followed . The word icon in itself means creator , highest quality and powerful . The epitome of what constitutes being a fashion icon .
Flawless and timeless is what I would say about Jan Strimple . Her presence is undeniable when she enters a room . Signature flaming orange hair and statuesque height of 5 ” 10 she has been turning heads since the tender age of 13 when she began modeling .
Her career took off in 1980 after moving to Dallas and signing with the Kim Dawson Agency . Her modeling career took off after meeting the brilliant Bob Mackie at Lou Lattimore in the Dallas Apparel Mart . Jan had mastered her signature walk which led her down the runways walking for Carolina Herrera , Mary McFadden and Bill Blass in New York . The doors continued to open her next step was Paris , where she was booked by Yves St . Laurent , Dior , Lanvin and Givenchy for the Haute Couture season in Paris . Her international career spanned the 80 ’ s and the first half of the 90 ’ s .
Jan ’ s career has spanned the entire globe . Ultimately she returned back to Dallas with her husband where it all began . She had a fashion column in the Dallas Morning News entitled “ Ask Jan ” for five years . A natural progression she began producing some of the largest runway shows in Dallas . A noted fashion producer and runway coach , Jan is sought out by all the major markets to come in and produce shows . She loves to mentor and share her knowledge and assist in nurturing new talent in the field of fashion .
When asked about her technique as a runway coach . She said , “ It ’ s fun and often challenging to take 13 , 14 and 15 year olds , put them in heels , and teach them a graceful and powerful walk . Some people doubt the difficulty of a models walk . I offer that both tight rope walkers and balance-beam gymnasts place one foot directly in front of the other when they move , but they do it with their arms extended and in ballet-type flats or no shoes . Models do it in 4-inch heels with their arms to their sides . There ’ s nothing easy about it .”
One of my favorite discovery ’ s upon meeting Jan , was watching her mesmerize an entire room . She shared a nickname given to her by a colleague at the Kim Dawson agency , Sarah Blacketer who named her “ The Walk Whisperer .” Well I have to concur upon meeting Jan Stimple , her exquisite presence is jaw dropping . Definitely still turning heads by simply entering a room – but that ’ s to be expected when you are a Fashion Icon .
RUNWAY TULSA SPECIAL EDITION 9