Guiding Star

Model and mentor Jan Strimple takes pleasure in sharing her stardust-sprinkled life

by Natasha Spinks

 
International couture fashion model, fashion event producer, and columnist of “Ask Jan” for The Dallas Morning News, Jan Strimple is celebrated worldwide as one of high fashion’s most glamorous professional runway models. Her porcelain complexion and statuesque frame have graced the pages of the top fashion magazines of America and Europe, stages of the world’s finest runways, and such prominent television shows as CNN “Style” and “Good Morning America.”

Jan Strimple was introduced to the international fashion world in 1982 when designer Bob Mackie discovered her in Dallas. He immediately booked her for his New York press show, which gave her exposure and brought offers from agents and designers worldwide. Since then, her success in the fashion industry has been staggering, taking her from Dallas to cities as far away as Hong Kong and Moscow. Jan’s success in the fashion industry is paralleled by the success she brings to the numerous fundraising events she participates in. Amid a hectic schedule of deadlines and travel, Jan participates in more than 25 fundraising events annually.

For over 15 years, Jan modeled for Dallas’ top fundraising event, D.I.F.F.A.’s (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) “The Dallas Collection,” and served as creative director for six years. She has also helped organize fundraising events for AIDS Interfaith and Attitudes & Attire, among many others. Her outstanding work with these organizations has won her multiple honors, awards, and accolades. In October 1996, Jan was inducted into the New York National Women’s Hall of Fame for her AIDS fundraising efforts; in 2001, she was honored as D.I.F.F.A.’s “Legend in the Fight Against AIDS”; and in 2003, Fashion Group International awarded her the Fashion Forum Career Achievement Award for achievements in her field. After Jan produced an event for the Dallas Floral Symposium, DMA League President Pat Pace commented, “The fact that Jan is both a legend and an icon of elegance is confirmed upon each of her appearances. Her production was remarkable.”

Jan is passionate about using her gifts to mentor young adults in the fashion industry. “I have a gifted life and take great pleasure in being able to share some of the stardust that has fallen on me. My greatest pleasure is to use my gifts to help others feel better about themselves. It’s part of the reason I work effectively with young adults. Beauty is power with today’s youth, so I have a tremendous God-given tool to get their attention,” she says.

	Left: Jan Strimple steals the show at the 1996 D.I.F.F.A. “The Collection” annual event.
	Left: A longtime believer in reaching out to young women, pictured is Jan Strimple with residents of Girls Town in 1991.

Jan handpicks interns to work alongside her, helping create the fashion fundraising extravaganzas she is famed for, while simultaneously exposing them to an aspect of philanthropy. Using interns helps Jan give them a taste of the industry, as well as helps them use their creative skills in a real-world situation. It also saves on production cost for nonprofits and allows Jan to be a role model, teaching self-respect, dignity, and what it means to be beautiful, confident, and kind. “It’s a win-win. Everybody wins from the work, and that makes it a perfect thing. One person can change another’s life. One person can be that limb, or the work of an organization can be that light, that helps a young person find a way out of the dark,” she says.

Jan gives because she can, because there is a need, and simply because she enjoys it. “Giving gives me pleasure, especially when that love you’ve given comes flying back at you full-force, I just love being knocked over by it,” says Jan.