VOTE JOSEPH BESS FOR STYLE ICON ‘25; VOTING ENDS OCT. 23

Photo courtesy of Joseph Bess.

St. Croix designer, stylist, educator, and all-around Renaissance man, Joseph Bess, is vying for Los Angeles-based Flaunt Magazine’s “Style Icon 2025” —and Virgin Islands, we have the power to help him win!

Public voting ends tonight, Oct. 23, at 7PM (PDT)/10PM (EDT). Click HERE to cast your FREE vote today.

Joseph says this opportunity—to be named Style Icon 2025—feels like a full-circle moment for him. He was entered into the style contest by a friend in London.

“From my 20’s exploring London, Paris, and NYC…to school years in Toronto and Montreal…to trips to LA, Miami, and ATL— style has always been part of my story,” he writes on Facebook.

“Traveling through Africa and the Caribbean in my 30’s gave me the cultural context I needed to fully embrace my roots and personal style. And now, in my 40’s, I get to bring it all together — turning what once came naturally into a skill set that fuels my creativity and pays me, too,” he adds.

He’s the man behind iconic fashion moments on St. Croix, including 2020’s Modern Madras showcase in Frederiksted, as well as fashion designer and consultant for numerous cultural, social, and musical events.

For Joseph, who is an avid traveler, his dream fashion moment would be to once again visit Africa and “work with designers and create a collection.” He says “the idea of building something in collaboration with people who carry such a deep well of creativity and cultural richness feels liberating to me.”

Joseph describes his style as blending “cultural values, textures, and diverse life perspectives—enriched by academic study for fashion with depth and meaning.”

As part of the prize package for earning the coveted Style Icon 2025 title, one lucky winner will receive a $20,000 cash prize. Joseph says he would use the winnings to fund his own consulting business “that combines life coaching, branding, personal styling, and interior decorating.”

He adds: “This vision is rooted in my belief that building a new version of yourself is always an artistic pursuit. When someone goes through transformation, it should be felt, seen, and experienced in every part of their life. The way you feel, the way you look, and the space you live in are all connected, and I want to help people bring them together.”

I think that’s something we can all get behind!

Go HERE to vote for Joseph up until 7PM (PDT)/10PM (EDT) tonight.