If anyone knows how to play to win it’s Jasmine Asia. Whilst best known for her modelling, working with the likes of YSL Beauty and Yeezy, at the heart of it Jasmine’s really a gamer. From first being scouted at a gaming convention to doing interviews discussing her perspectives on the Metaverse, Jasmine’s certainly stuck to her roots throughout her modelling career. 

This is one of the reasons she makes an ideal ‘Visionary’ for Ellesse’s SS23 campaign, as Ellesse is a brand ingrained in the themes of individuality, self-confidence, and diversity. Despite their ‘Visionaries’ campaign being led by the concept of teamwork, driven by a padel-inspired narrative which displays their five newly appointed Visionaries collaborating on the court, Ellesse chose said Visionaries based on their unique qualities, as they each brought something different to the table. We sat down with Jasmine to find out what she loves most about gaming, how she made it as a model, and what it was like working on Ellesse’s ‘Visionaries’ campaign. 

Hi Jasmine, what’s up? What do you think our readers should know about you?

Hi Culted! I think your readers should know that I’m #real – I love to laugh, read and dress up in silly clothes! 

Your career title might be ‘model’ but we know you for your love of gaming and everything virtual. As a self-proclaimed gamer, what’s your favourite video game?

My all time favourite is Tomb Raider: Legend – But a current favourite right now is Overwatch 2! I’m a big Call of Duty fan also.

Whilst most models are found in clothing stores and on social media, you were scouted at a comic convention. How did you find the transition into modelling?

When you’re cosplaying at a convention you’ll find yourself posing for lots of photographers, so it was basically the same! In modelling I found confidence, the art of posing and how to switch styles quickly. 

Being a female gamer in the male-dominated field is said to have its issues. Have you ever found it hard being a female gamer?

Yeah, but times are changing and the new generation of gamers today are seeing more female presence than 10,20 years ago. Life is good!  We must look forward. The ones being sexist just show how stuck in the past they are.. like. 

Sometimes gaming just doesn’t feel real enough; you want to actually live it. Are you excited for a future living in the Metaverse or a little apprehensive?

(Rant) The “Metaverse” has existed for time, it’s just became real popular with brands to market something to appeal to Gen-Z lately. I’ll be honest. Major flop. Gen-Z will stick to traditional video games with customisable features if they want a Metaverse experience. If you’re a brand and you’re still pushing for Metaverse, it’s time to partner with established Metaverse platforms, like IMVU, VR Chat. Speak to Fortnite even. If you’re not putting a major, stable platform as a host to your Metaverse living, it’s not happening!

Being such an avid gamer you must be pretty used to winning, but in Ellesse’s shoot were you as good on the padel court as you are with a controller?

I thought we were gonna tell everyone I destroyed TJ.. anyway no I prefer digital, online sports. I’m horrid at anything with bats or paddles, I’m great at something like rock climbing though! 

There’s a gaming element to the Ellesse campaign video, with a shot of you playing the padel video game at the start. Do you think you’d be able to beat a real Ellesse Padel Video Game?

Sure, if I don’t have to swing my arms around and I just have to mash a controller instead.

It’s kind of a stereotype of gamers to stay holed up in front of their screen all day. But in reality would you say you’re more of an indoors or an outdoors person?

WE OUTSIDEEE. I love going outdoors, forest area, playing the Legend of Zelda soundtrack, can’t go wrong. I hibernate in the winter.  I can’t stand being cold. 

If you could have a dinner party with any three video game characters, who do you think you’d pick and why?

1. Bayonetta, she’d dress to the nines, have fabulous chat and make everyone laugh with her dry humour. 
2. Shadow The Hedgehog, he would ruin the night with edgy doom and gloom, but he would look cute sitting next to me. 
3. Cooking Mama, she would insist on making the food, and I wouldn’t stop her!

Being an Ellesse Visionary is kind of like levelling up in real life. What about yourself do you think makes you an ideal member of Ellesse’s Community Club of Visionaries?

I love collecting Ws in my life, it’s my manifestation technique. I think Ellesse Community Club of Visionaries is ideal for me because it’s a cute and funny environment to thrive and be yourself in! I’m lucky I’ve been on a unique journey in my career, I love making happy memories and treasuring the people around me! 

Imagine Ellesse is making an avatar of yourself for a new padel-inspired video game; what items from the SS23 collection would you want your character to wear?

I would totally wear the oversized jumper with the bicycle shorts – it’s so Princess Diana coded and I think I suit the look a lot. It was my favourite! But the paddle has to turn into a sword.

What’s a change you’d like to be a part of through your work?

I wanna communicate to everyone that gamers are interested in fashion and we’re just chilling! I want to be included and put others on. I don’t bite! I wanna vibe! 

Check out the full collection at ellesse.com

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