Male Model Jesse Rinderknecht Went Straight From the Farm to Being the Face of Celine

Gone are the days when models were expected to be a blank canvas. A new generation of fresh faces is embracing their personal style and expressing their individuality through their fashion choices—be it jeans and a tee or a statement dress. Every month, Vogue will dive into the stylish wardrobes of a model of the moment to see what they’re wearing off the runways. Consider these the perfect references to pin to your seasonal mood board—because is there anything cooler than model-off-duty style?

For our first male model, we’ve picked the very charming, very handsome Jesse Rinderknecht, who spends his time fishing and farming when he’s not on the runways for Prada, Celine, Dries Van Noten, and Junya Watanabe. Read on to hear about the wild story behind him being discovered, his charming favorite fashion items, and his hopes for his future (it includes donkeys). Tell Us About Yourself …
My name is Jesse Rinderknecht.

I’m 22 years old, and I live in the Swiss countryside, close to the small town of Winterthur. I share a 500-year-old farmhouse with my best friend, surrounded by nature, animals, and a much quieter lifestyle than you might expect from someone working in fashion. I’m currently represented by Success Models, Area Talent Management, and my mother agency, Septembre. How I Got Discovered …
I was traveling alone along the French coast in my old-timer.

I was on my way to Spain

I was on my way to Spain to surf and go fishing, when a group of custom motorcycles suddenly passed me. For some reason, I had this strong feeling that I needed to follow them and see where they were going. So I turned around and followed them for about an hour. Eventually, I arrived at a huge motorcycle festival. It was exactly the kind of place I needed to be. Only five minutes after arriving, I was scouted by my mother agents, Douglas and Diana.

They took some pictures of me and told me they would contact me that evening. A few hours later, I saw them again. They told me I needed to be in Paris in two days. So I packed my things, jumped back into my old car, and drove 10 hours to Paris. Once I arrived, I was signed immediately with Success Models, along with an exclusivity with Celine. I’ve never stayed in a model apartment.

Whenever I’m in Paris, I usually stay with my mother agent at his place. They have become like family to me, which makes being away from home a lot easier. My First Runway …
My first runway show was Celine spring 2026. I wore a baggy suit with a headband and a huge bag. At the time, I was still serving in the Swiss army, so I went directly from my military base to the show and then straight back to the army for training afterward.

I don’t really have a favorite job

I don’t really have a favorite job. I’m grateful for every experience and every opportunity I get. For me, the best part is being able to travel to countries I’ve never visited, meet new people, and make new friends. I’ve never really felt like I’ve “made it.” I’m still at the beginning of my career, and I hope it continues to grow. The closest I’ve come to feeling that way was after my first show.

My family organized a little watch party, and they all celebrated together while sending me pictures. It was really sweet. My Style …
I would describe my style as old Americana mixed with Western, greasy truck-driver vibes, and a bit of traditional Swiss influence. When I’m at home, I usually wear my hiking boots and clothes that I don’t mind getting dirty. There are three pieces in my wardrobe that are especially important to me.

The first is my Appenzeller belt. It’s a traditional Swiss belt that I wear almost every day. It’s nothing particularly special where I come from—a lot of farmers wear them—but it means a lot to me. When I’m away, it gives me a little piece of home to carry with me. The second is my knitted socks. My great-grandmother used to knit them for me, and they have definitely saved me from freezing more than once.

Our house is heated with a fire, so

Our house is heated with a fire, so winters can get really cold. Without those socks, I probably wouldn’t survive! The third is my waders. When I’m home, I spend a lot of time fishing. It helps me keep a healthy balance between the fast-paced world of fashion and the quietness of nature. On Castings and Fashion Week …
On a typical casting day, I just wear what I normally wear.

I don’t want to dress like everybody else. I think castings are also about showing who you are as a person, so I want them to meet the real me. My biggest survival tip for Fashion Week is to find some time for yourself. It can be stressful and difficult to arrange, but taking a little time to slow down is really important for staying healthy and enjoying the experience. And get a bike!

The metro and public transport can take forever during Fashion Week. With a bike, you can save a lot of time and get around much more easily. If I Weren’t a Model …
I would probably be a graphic designer. I worked in graphic design for more than five years and really love being creative. I would also have more time for my sheep and my other animals. I think I would try to grow the farm, get more animals, and slowly build something of my own.

My Bucket List … One of the things

My Bucket List …
One of the things I’m most excited about right now is organizing a music festival with my best friend. Our goal is to make it happen next summer, which is a pretty big project, but I’m really looking forward to it. I also want to see more of the world, and I’m incredibly grateful that modeling gives me the opportunity to do that. And one day, I would love to have donkeys on the farm.

Most of all, I want to keep pushing myself and see how far I can take my career, while still staying connected to where I come from and the things that make me happy.

Source: www.vogue.com