As the fashion industry slows for the end of year festive season, Pulse's top male face, Oraine Barrett, shows no sign of letting up. Barrett has been on a super run in the last quarter of this year, nabbing campaigns for minimalist ultra classic Liz Clairborne, the Phillipe Starck architecturally inspired Target TV adverts and the sophisticated retail powerhouse Lord & Taylor.

Phat Farm stint

And as he closed the campaigns for Baby Phat and John Bartlett the newly minted executive urban collection from Russell Simmons' flagship brand, Phat Farm, came calling. Not one to rest on his laurels, Barrett is now en route to Los Angeles to do duties for footwear giants Timberland, as he celebrates his front man status in the debut of the Phat Premium campaign, which is now out in all major fashion magazines and on billboards across America.

Rugged sex appeal juxtaposed with high fashion elegance is the hallmark of this new campaign, captured by Swedish photographer Camilla Akrans (New York Times, Japanese Vogue). Fedoras, fitted cardigans and finely tailored suits are staples among the campaign images and Barrett's effortless ease in wearing any and all of the above shows off his versatility and strength as one of the world's most in demand leading man in modelling.

No stranger to the high-powered campaign scene Barrett has, from the beginning of his career, been sought after by fashion's influential international movers and shakers. While on the global fashion market for merely months he was snatched up by the industry's major players, including Abercrombie & Fitch, John Bartlett and Pepe Jeans, for which he shared frontline duties with agency colleague Jaunel McKenzie.

Rising star

Both Barrett and McKenzie have been photographed by two of fashion's most revered lensmen, Bruce Webber and Steven Miesel. The famed Mario Testino also took note and it didn't take long for other fashion leaders to enrol the Jamaican export for their brands; shortly after Barrett's stint with Webber, the rising star was on a shortlist for Ralph Lauren's Polo Line.

Signed to Major Models in New York, Barrett has had a truly amazing year, littered with many significant milestones including his illustrious Italian Vogue spread and a special feature on him in Interview magazine. Earlier in the year he also made appearances in Arena Homme and ID magazine. Barrett followed up on his editorial and advertising campaign success with appearances at New York Fashion Week, where he sported collections for some of the top menswear luminaries in the business.

The former Munro College old boy from St Elizabeth is proud to represent his parish and community, as he feels that his success can only be motivational for other youths. "My success is testament to the fact that you can do anything if you work hard enough," says the Pulse star.