Born and raised outside of Augusta, Maine, Joseph Coleman grew up with clear intentions on what he wanted to be when he grew up – Native American.   Even though things wouldn’t turn out as he planned, the spirit, artistry and love of nature have always stayed with him.  Joseph went to college on a football scholarship and majored in Biology, even working as a science teacher in Maine.  But, a desire to pursue his interest in the arts pulled him to New York City in 1991.   

 

 

Working initially as a print model for various luminaries like Bruce Weber, Steven Klein, Herb Ritts, Peter Lindberg  and with the occasional cater job on the side, Joseph had a chance opportunity that would forever change the trajectory of his career.   While working a catering job at Lincoln Center, he sneaked away to fulfill a request from Donna Karan to be the fit model for the 1998 Collection.  Although not realizing this work was viable as a career, he realized he was the right fit. 

As he was sent out on more fit jobs and he became the industry standard fit model for brands big and small, he developed an expertise for determining, technically, what was wrong with the fit of a garment.  In a few words he is able to communicate what change is needed to ensure the proper fit – which is invaluable for any apparel company. 

For the past 16 years he has been and remains the fashion industry’s secret weapon ensuring our clothing fits you well.   In 2007, Joseph started The Fit Report which leveraged his experience to create a service for fashion companies to evaluate trends in fit, construction and manufacturing. 

During all this time, Joseph still focused on developing his artistry through mixed media collage work and writing.   His collage work has been published in Vogue as well as Bruce Weber All American: Family Album and has had a solo show of his artwork in Provincetown, MA.   His poetry has been published in Vogue, Esquire (“A Certain Flair”) and The New Criterion (“Smelt Shacks”).  Joseph cites Wallace Stevens and Emily Dickinson as influences in his work and uses his childhood stomping grounds in Maine as inspiration.  

 

Joseph Coleman splits his time between NYC and the coast of Maine where he shares a beautiful Post and Beam home with his wife of four years – actress Janet McTeer.  He has an 11 year-old son also named Joe Coleman.  From tending blueberry and rose bushes to fishing for the daily catch, ten generations of family make Maine and Joseph an integral part of each other.

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