Jourdan Dunn has shared a heartfelt open letter on social media detailing her battle with depression. The 27-year-old model is the face of American designer Brandon Maxwell's spring/summer 2018 campaign, and stars in the advert with her eight-year-old son Riley. Opening up about the shoot, Jourdan shared that she felt "overwhelmed with emotions" after she watched the footage back, and as a result felt compelled to be honest about her recent mental health struggles with her fans.
"The truth is before I shot this campaign I was in a deep state of self-doubt and depression. Everything was a struggle for me. My insecurities had me questioning myself every day. What am I doing? Where am I going? Will I ever be hired again?" she wrote on Instagram.
Jourdan Dunn wrote about her struggles with depression on Instagram
The fashion icon, who has also posed for the likes of Burberry and Yves Saint Laurent, went on to say that social media has a role in provoking anxiety and vulnerability. "My career has been a rollercoaster of rejection and support. Mostly my own. And now it's all being measured by instagrams (sic) popularity contest. 'I just don't think I can do this anymore' I would often find myself saying," Jourdan shared.
The model credited Oprah Winfrey for helping her come to terms with her struggles
However, the London-born star ended her emotional revelation on a positive note, crediting talk show host Oprah Winfrey for her newfound resolve. Jourdan's poignant Brandon Maxwell campaign shows Riley helping his mum get ready for a night out. Talking to British Vogue, the designer said the premise was inspired by an Italian holiday he and his partner Jessy took with the model and her son. "During a heartfelt discussion over dinner Jourdan explained that becoming a mother at 19 as her career was taking off ultimately led to a greater purpose in her life and work. We felt compelled to tell their story," he said.
