By Faith Callens, Blessed By Faith Staff Writer

Since a child, Marques Jones has always had the dream to become a model, working for fashion companies like Shein and Hollister but he said didn’t really know in the beginning how to get started in the industry.

Jones said when he was enrolled in Bessemer City High School before his transition to Hoover High School, he was unaware of his style because he was used to wearing uniforms all throughout his academic years including middle school.

“I didn’t really have a style (back then),” Jones said. “I didn’t know what style was for real, I just know I always wanted to wear black.”

Jones said at Hoover High School, his dress code was limitless, allowing him to show his unique style, even though he wasn’t sure of what it truly was yet. 

“I was like, what do I even wear,” Jones said. “For while, I was self-conscious about my style (in school) because I was like everybody else look good and I don’t fit in with them and that’s when I started wearing black clothing.”

Now, three years later, Jones said his style has improved a lot, wearing less of black clothing and more of color but it all started through a couple picture posts on Instagram. 

“I started posting a lot of poses in certain outfits,” Jones said. “And, I would just leave them on there.”

One day, Jones said he was attending a football game with his mom when saw someone doing a photoshoot and thought of the idea to walk in his purpose and pursue the idea he always had, to model.

“It’s always been a dream of mine,” Jones said. ” I was like, you know what, let’s try some stuff. I was looking around browsing the web and I saw the opportunity that I could be a clothing model for Hibbett Sports. So, I applied, submitting a good bit of face pictures like selfies and full body pictures with and without my shirt on.”

Jones said three weeks later, he received a text from a guy who worked at the sports retailer giving him the opportunity of a lifetime that he always dreamed of.

“I felt like I was on air to be honest,” Jones said. “Because it’s something that I always wanted to do.”

Jones said coming from a time where he used to be self conscious about who he was and seeing the outlook of his peers wearing certain clothing to school, he felt like he had to make a choice whether to follow the crowd or find his own style and he chose to stand out pursue a different look.

“My style is more out the box,” Jones said. “Showing skin a little bit while keeping it appropriate. I love my accessories including earrings and my style to me is one of a kind.”

Last week, Jones was featured on the front page of the Hibbett Sports website for the first time, showcasing their upcoming sportswear line. 

“Oh my God,” Jones said. “I didn’t even know I was even on the website until the guy that took the pictures reached out to me and said I was. And, still now, I just get chills thinking about it.”

Jones said during the initial call of the picture reveal with Hibbett Sports, he screamed so loud in joyfulness that startled his roommates in his dorm room and got tears of joy from his mother, Lisa Jones on the other end of the phone.

“I was really proud because that was Q, independently,” Lisa said. I had absolutely nothing to do with the booking of Hibbetts and when he had his first photoshoot with them in an alley behind a building , I was scared for him but he reassured me things would be fine and keep in mind we lived an hour away.”

Lisa said when she heard the news that the first photoshoot went well and that Marquis was called again to do the second photoshoot, she was proud of his enthusiasm with it and the determination he had, regarding his dream.

Marques said he would tell others who inspire to become a clothing model like himself to go for it.

“If it’s something that you want to do,” Marquis said. “Because a lot of people doubt themselves like I did. It took me a while to get into modeling but branch out, and know there’s somebody for everybody and there’s something for everybody.”

Jones said he plans to continue to working with Hibbett Sports to build his portfolio and he said soon, his featured photos with the retailer will premiere in the Riverchase Galleria Shopping Mall in Hoover. 

In the future, Jones said he plans to connect with other clothing brands and expand his modeling career to the video gaming industry.