SNL’s Colin Jost Turns Model for Geoffrey Beene After Learning 100% of Profits Go to Charity
Colin Jost in the new Geoffrey Beene ads. Photo: Richard Phibbs
Colin Jost: Fashion model? Indeed, the SNL news anchor is the surprising new face of Geoffrey Beene’s Fall 2015 collection. The comedian may be known for his funny bits, but is actually very serious when it comes to this particular initiative—and not in a Zoolander kind of way.
“I wanted to get involved with Geoffrey Beene after I found out that 100 percent of their [net] profits are donated to charity,” Jost told Yahoo Style. “That’s something I never knew about Geoffrey Beene. I’m guessing a lot of people don’t know that. So I wanted to help spread the word.”
So what does 100% mean? Geoffrey Beene donates 100% of its net profits to cancer research at Memorial Sloane-Kettering Cancer Center. Let that sink in for a moment—100% of the net profits. Not 10, not 15, but all of it. (There’s a wing at the hospital named for Mr. Beene, who passed away from cancer complications in 2004.) Since 2006, the Geoffrey Beene Foundation and the LLC has raised a combined $144 million for research. The company also gives to other worthy causes under the Geoffrey Beene Gives Back program, including animal welfare, veterans support, Alzheimer’s research, and more.
Colin Jost in the new Geoffrey Beene ads. Photo: Richard Phibbs
What the hell does that have to do with Colin Jost? Good question. No one really knew or talked about the good work Geoffrey Beene was doing and once Jost found out about the passion the company had for philanthropy, he signed on to front the campaigns and spread awareness. And his blue steel good looks are a win-win for all of us.
“Mr. Beene’s irreverent wit was legendary, so when we thought about a new face for the brand that would be relevant for today’s consumer, Colin was the perfect fit,” Russell Nardozza, SVP/COO of Geoffrey Beene said. The ads, which were shot by Richard Phibbs, are due to hit print and digital in September, also sport a tagline: “100%” and the shiny new, rebranded Beene logo, GBGB (Geoffrey Beene Gives Back). Jost was captured in in Weekend Update-worthy blazers, ties, and more casual looks. Hey, if SNL ever doesn’t work out, at least Jost knows he’s got a potential second career as a serious male model.
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