{"id":27751,"date":"2015-08-30T17:34:56","date_gmt":"2015-08-30T17:34:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/viconsortium.com\/?p=27751"},"modified":"2015-08-30T17:34:56","modified_gmt":"2015-08-30T17:34:56","slug":"locals-on-the-rise-young-st-croix-model-is-face-of-new-toys-r-us-handcrafted-jewelry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/wp.viconsortium.com\/?p=27751","title":{"rendered":"Locals On The Rise: Young St. Croix Model Is Face Of New Toys \u201cR\u201d Us Handcrafted Jewelry"},"content":{"rendered":"

When nine-year-old Egypt Jackson competed in and won the <\/span>VI Child Model of the Year<\/span><\/i> competition on St. Croix in April 2014, a part of her prize package was a signed contract with renowned New York-based model management agency, Funny Faces Models NYC. But, she could not have imagined that less than two years later she would be the face of a new handcrafted jewelry product being introduced by mega toy retailer, Toys \u201cR\u201d Us.<\/span><\/p>\n

But, that\u2019s exactly what happened for Little Egypt. Beating out over 200 girls who attended the casting call for the international retailer this summer in New York City, Egypt\u2019s beautiful face will be splashed across boxes of the jewelry product, expected to be on store shelves across the U.S. between February and March 2016.<\/span><\/p>\n

And none could be prouder of her than Jason Gardener, principal at JG Management USVI, the St. Croix modeling agency that trained Egypt and for which the young model has signed a mother-agency agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"egypt-jackson\"<\/a><\/p>\n

When asked how he felt when he got the news that Egypt had booked with Toys \u201cR\u201d Us, Gardener\u2019s excitement bubbled over.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey absolutely loved her. It was beyond amazing, my head was so big,\u201d he laughed. <\/span><\/p>\n

Then, more reflectively, Gardener said Egypt\u2019s success served to validate the hard work he and his team has been doing at JG Management since he founded the company in March 2011.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt really feels good to know that what we\u2019re doing, you\u2019re seeing the results of it,\u201d he pointed out, adding, \u201cThat we have a product that works. \u201c<\/span><\/p>\n

But Egypt\u2019s road to Toys \u201cR\u201d Us was not necessarily easy. Gardener said it took him some years to convince the once-painfully-shy girl to attend his classes; and when she eventually enrolled in 2013, he worked on building her self-confidence.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNow, her confidence is great and to hear the way she projects her voice is remarkable,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p>\n

While the Toys \u201cR\u201d Us deal is the first major contract any of his models\/talent have signed, Gardener said four others of his models are currently participating in New York City Fashion Week events and 11 others have been placed with agencies in New York, Miami and Chicago.<\/span><\/p>\n

JG Management is now entering its fifth season and Gardener said auditions for interested male and female participants are being held Sun., August 30 from 1-4 p.m. at his studio above Jane\u2019s Bridal in the Mt. Pleasant Mall. Auditions will also be held Sat., September 5 from 11 a.m. \u2013 4 p.m. and Sun., September 6 from 1-4 p.m. at the same location.<\/span><\/p>\n

This year, Gardener is expanding. He has added more instructors to the agency\u2019s roster and has \u201cexpanded to all forms of modeling, as well as included acting, singing, theater and, arts-and-crafts,\u201d he explained.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not to mention, The JG Center of Excellence, the charitable arm of JG Management, will host its first charity gala dubbed <\/span>St. Croix Style<\/span><\/i> in November 2015. Gardener said proceeds from the event will benefit several of his young models who are expected to travel to Paris next summer. These models, Gardener said, are ones he sees with the potential for \u201chigh fashion,\u201d and that have \u201cthe right height and body type\u2014who have editorial appeal.\u201d <\/span>St. Croix Style<\/span><\/i> will feature red carpet interviews, dinner and dancing. It will also celebrate Gardener\u2019s 25<\/span>th<\/span> year in the industry.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Jason<\/a>

Jason Gardener<\/p><\/div>\n

Under its umbrella, JG Management hosts several competitions each year. The agency\u2019s signature competition, <\/span>VI Model of the Year,<\/span><\/i> is going into its third year and will have its annual weekend-long celebrations, workshops and competition on April 8-10. <\/span><\/p>\n

Additionally, Gardener\u2019s popular <\/span>Kids Rock<\/span><\/i> competition is back for its fourth year and, he said, realizing the need to take the event to \u201canother level,\u201d he has expanded the traditionally one-day competition into a weekend he\u2019s calling \u201cKids Rock Fashion Weekend,\u201d to be held March 5 and 6. On the Saturday, an agency that works specifically with children will conduct a go-see commercial audition and live photoshoot with the participants. That same evening, the young models will enjoy a \u201cPink and Blue\u201d party in their honor. And on Sunday, they will hit the runway for the annual competition. <\/span><\/p>\n

At the end of the season in June 2016, JG Management will also host its first model and talent showcase, featuring performances in each category of the company\u2019s offerings. <\/span><\/p>\n

For more information or to register for the upcoming season that begins on September 14, contact Mr. Gardener at (340) 244-5544 or email info@jgmanagementusvi.com.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Feature Image:\u00a0Egypt Jackson<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When nine-year-old Egypt Jackson competed in and won the VI Child Model of the Year competition on St. Croix in April 2014, a part of her prize package was a signed contract with renowned New York-based model management agency, Funny Faces Models NYC. But, she could not have imagined that less than two years later […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":27753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[228,11,2308,191,2474,147],"tags":[3083,3084,71],"yoast_head":"\nLocals On The Rise: Young St. Croix Model Is Face Of New Toys \u201cR\u201d Us Handcrafted Jewelry - V.I. 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