An Interview with Loren Browder, the New Face of Diddy's Clothing Line

Sean Combs has seen many milestones in his career as an artist/executive/producer and lately, as a fashion designer for his world-renowned Sean John clothing label. With an eye for excellence (and for multiple names-"Puffy", "Puff Daddy", "P. Diddy", "Diddy"), Puffy has been able to establish his identity as a man of the people, but with the taste of a king. One look at Sean John's newest upstart model, Loren Browder, 23, says why.

With keen features, an alluring stoicism, along with a particular interest in a personal high-standard for fashion perfection, Browder has gone from an unrepresented unknown from Ohio to a bright spot for Mr. Combs' latest Sean John ad campaigns. With his eyes set on becoming a more experienced professional behind the camera and building on his outside interests in real estate and aviation, it's hard to figure that the young model won't be anything but big in the near future. In revisiting his vacillations in making his way to the Big Apple to the common misperceptions of big city "discovery" stories to why he thinks he was one of a chosen six of 600 model choices for Sean John, Browder was able to spare enough time to share his thoughts on his past, present and arising future.

Sandy Dover: So, for the rest of the world that doesn't know who you are, you're a model for [Sean "Puffy/Diddy" Combs'] boutique fashion line, Sean John, and living in the Big Apple--how did you get all the way to being in a national ad campaign [the Sean John fall 2007/winter 2008 seasons] so soon, after having no other exposure with other companies? Tell me how you got to where you are...

Loren Browder: Man, I came up here grinding it out. Going to open calls and castings. So I eventually lucked up going to Sean John's casting call with over 600 guys, and they ended up picking six of us. I am very thankful to be one of those six, considering I did not have an agency to back me.

SD: Go into that a little more. Most of the famous models you hear about always seem to have this same story going about how they were "discovered" on the street, or were walking around the mall somewhere. What are your thoughts about that, in relation to your personal experience?

LB: To be honest, I can't see how that happens. Living in New York, you never notice any of those things happening. You don't see scouts out looking for talent. I have been approached on the streets here, but only for small gigs. Nothing has turned into something spectacular. Those of who have been discovered good for them. Run with it.

SD: So essentially, your break came without having an agency, essentially making you a success as a legitimate free agent in the business. Does that allow you a certain flexibility with gigs/cast calls or do you think that hinders you, particularly with the jobs you've done for Sean John?

LB: Well, it's has its pros and cons, being a free agent and being able to book Sean John meant a lot. It was a huge confidence booster, knowing I didn't need an agency to be able to land a major gig. Then again, not having an agency, you are kinda in the dark about castings/open calls in the area. It's harder for a model with no representation to go out and find gigs, than suppose a model that has representation to get the exclusives.

SD: In saying that, you've been on the cover of a heavily circuited book across bookstores nationwide with "C.P. Time", as well modeling with some of Puffy's main featured models of the past few years (and you've had the benefit of seeing yourself in the world's largest Macy's store)--in a way, you are sort of exclusive. How do you feel that those unique experiences will benefit you?

LB: They will benefit me hopefully with agencies in the near future booking work. It's a great start on my modeling portfolio. I have some very strong material I can offer agencies. Also, it helps me understand what I can do better in photographs, like facial expressions, my body language. Also, it being my first major photo shoot, I know what to expect. I went into this not knowing what a real photo shoot would be like. Everything was so unreal to me. Now I have had my first time, the jitters shaken off.

SD: We both know that Puffy is known for his clean cut look and his immaculate attire. He has a refined edge that he puts off when he's in the public eye and he takes great care to make sure he looks a certain way that identifies him as the man that we know him to be--that being said, why do you think that you were chosen to essentially represent Puffy as a face for his product? What do you think that the company saw in you to make you one of them, looks-wise?

LB: I think that [Puffy] chose me because I showed that clean, smooth male urban look. I also think they picked me, because I looked like I could be mixed with multiple backgrounds

SD: You came from a small city in Ohio, and before your move to NYC, you were in college. If you could, tell me about your background and take me back to a year or so, before you decided to jump to New York and pursue your dreams. What was the process that led you to where you are now?

LB: Man, a year before I moved to NYC [in 2005], I was attending Wright State University [in Dayton, OH] studying aviation technology, which I really loved doing, but it just got so expensive for me to keep up with. I was also working at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base

SD: On a brief side note, before we conclude, you mentioned your brother (James Brandon King). He has a photography/design firm he's created with his best friend (Our Own Thing, with co-founder/graphic artist Aaron Blazey). Tell me about his influence and his activity in helping you get things popping for you.

LB: He has influenced me in many ways. His ability to take such amazing pictures. Being around him, you become a friend of the camera. You get a feel of him snapping tons of pictures of you in a day, so he helps me out in a lot of ways. He got my first comp cards made out for me. Lots of the pictures you see now are from him! [laughing] I love what he does with the camera. So he is always there to support me with any type of shot I need.

SD: Is there anything you'd like to say regarding advice for getting into the business, or any words of encouragement for all that may come across your words today?

LB: Do your homework with this business. Get to know your agencies around the area. See what their look is, what type of modeling work they do. Make sure you try to go into an agency with a strong portfolio. Become friends with as many photographers as you can to get a variety of shots. Always keep your head up, no matter what type of feedback you receive from agencies. You may not have the look for one agency, but you may have the perfect look for another. It's a very cut throat business, it's something you have to put your all in and be tough. Even though I don't have an agency at the moment, I'm standing strong and still knocking down doors knowing that one day, I will have the perfect look for someone.