In the world of fashion, height and physique often dominate the conversation. But for Parmanand Ramcharran, fondly referred to as Jay, a model hailing from the ancient county of Berbice, Guyana, passion and perseverance have always outweighed his physical measurements.
Today, he stands as a shining example of resilience, creativity, and determination in the modeling industry.
Ramcharran’s journey began in a simple but bold way; responding to a Facebook ad for Fashion Forward Fridays, a modeling agency ran by Carla Browne. “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do since I saw our local models in ads in the newspaper for local designers,” he recalls. That initial leap of faith opened the doors to a career that has since soared to international heights.
Jay’s first major breakthrough came in 2016 when he opened the section for Expressions Designs by Meleesa Payne at the launch of Guyana Fashion Week. “That was a huge moment in my life, and I’m eternally grateful to Meleesa for giving me that opportunity,” Jay shares. From humble beginnings walking for small audiences of just ten people, Jay has now graced the runway at New York Fashion Week and been photographed by Getty Images.
Despite his success, Jay has faced various challenges, particularly his height.
“Not a lot of designers want to have a short model,” he explains. However, Jay’s determination has allowed him to redefine standards and push past industry misconceptions that male models must be extremely tall and muscular. He started at just 80 pounds and has since proven that confidence and dedication can outweigh conventional expectations.
Some of his most memorable experiences include shooting promotional pictures for GFW Model Image 2016 and his recent runway with PAAIE at New York Fashion Week. “I love doing runways; the energy I get from walking in front of a crowd makes me incredibly happy,” he says.
Jay approaches criticism with grace, viewing it as an opportunity for growth. “I’ve been told no more times than I can count in the industry, but that doesn’t stop me from brushing it off and going to the next casting,” he shares.
His advice to aspiring male models is simple yet powerful: never compare yourself to others, find what makes you marketable, and build on that.
Jay’s story serves as an inspiration to many, showing that with perseverance, self-belief, and hard work, one can overcome stereotypes and achieve dreams, no matter the odds.
