Rebecca-Jo Dunham-Baruchel

Meet Rebecca-Jo Dunham Baruchel a.k.a. @youthin.asia, a Toronto and NY-based content creator, stylist, model, and actress whose career is rooted in creative reinvention. After building a full career in modelling and model management, Rebecca-Jo pivoted toward content and styling as a way to explore personal style beyond industry confines. Her work champions authenticity, self-expression, and the power of women creating together, a philosophy that extends into Small Town Boys, the sustainably focused accessories brand she co-founded with her best friend.

Q&A

How would you describe yourself? A small town girl who moved to Europe. 

What is your favorite public realm, and where is it located? My favourite public realm is the streets of the French concession in Shanghai, specifically at night while riding a bicycle, with the hot air cooling your skin as it rolls over you. 

How did you first discover this space, and what makes it special to you? I was modeling in Shanghai, living in a small apartment in the French Concession. I would either walk or take the metro most places until a friend gave me her pink bike. The summers in Shanghai could be unbearably hot, so I often spent my days escaping the heat inside, enjoying the air conditioning while waiting for the sun to set. Once the temperature dropped, I would ride my bike around the city, running errands or simply soaking in the vibrant energy of Shanghai. It was during those rides that I felt the most free and truly myself—away from the days spent transforming into the creative visions of designers on set.

Photo Credit: Nazmi Azmir

If this space had a personality, how would you describe it? Loud, funny, kind and effervescent.