Super Model Readies to be Super Mom

Written by Lizzy Reisinger/Photos by Jonathan Barbara

Devon Windsor grew up in St. Louis and signed with local modeling agency West Model & Talent Management when she was 14 years old. After graduating from Mary Institute and St. Louis Country Day School (MICDS) in 2012, she moved to Milan to pursue modeling full time. Windsor’s career took off and she walked in several top fashion shows for brands including Victoria’s Secret, Sephora, and Moroccan Oil. She launched her own swimwear line Devon Windsor in the summer of 2019. Since then, the line has expanded into sunglasses, activewear, coverups, menswear and even children’s clothing.

Windsor currently lives in Miami with her husband Johnny Barbara, the co-founder and owner of the contemporary women’s clothing line Alexis, which was established by his mom and sister in 2008. The couple met through mutual friends in New York about eight years ago and got married in November 2019. Their three-day island wedding in St. Barths featured high design, fashion, and celebrity guests. Windsor is expecting her first child (a girl!) in September. SL caught up with the St. Louis supermodel to discuss her childhood, career goals, and pregnancy. 

SL: Describe your childhood in St. Louis and how it has influenced you as an adult.

I absolutely loved growing up in St. Louis. As a kid, to have that space to grow and run around, was very important. We also had a house on the Gasconade River that we would go to on the weekends and holidays. It was amazing to have that connection to nature. I feel like I will never lose those homegrown roots and love for nature because of it!

SL: How often do you come to St. Louis, see your family here, and speak to your childhood friends?

I wish I had the chance to come home more, as it is so close to Miami and New York. My parents both live in St. Louis full time and I was able to go home once last August as well as during the holidays. I was so lucky to be able to do that. I speak to my St. Louis friends weekly as well. We are still very close. 

SL: Describe your business, how it's doing, some of your goals, and what you want everyone in St. Louis to know about it?

The business is doing really well. COVID-19 had a negative effect on many retail businesses, but for us as a swim brand I think people were living in bikinis last summer. COVID also gave me the chance to be in Miami more and really put all of my focus on my brand. My goal is to continue to build up the brand and test out different categories. I feel like I want people to know that this isn’t just a licensing deal for me, this is like my baby! I live, breathe, eat, and sleep thinking and working on Devon Windsor (the brand). I am working on everything from design, creative, social media, sales, and everything in between.

SL: What is it like to work with your older sister and business partner Alex? What are your different strengths? Who has the last word? 

I love working with my sister. I honestly cannot imagine starting my own line without her. It is great because we really have an open and honest relationship and she is such a hard worker and plays a major role in this business. I also think working with my sister has been a great balance because we do have different strengths and things that we focus on. Of course my husband, owner of the women’s clothing line Alexis, also has been a huge helping hand and a guide throughout the whole process. 

SL: What's most exciting to you about becoming a parent and how do you want to raise your child?

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be a mom. Aside from modeling, my life goal is to have a family. I can’t wait to show her the world and to teach her to be strong, creative, and confident in herself and her abilities! We will be raising her in Miami as of right now, but I am sure she will be our travel companion on our many journeys. I would love to show her New York, as that was such a huge part of my life, as well as Paris, Milan, and the other countries where I’ve lived. It is very important to me though that she has a base with a place that is connected to nature and has the space to grow outside of a city environment. That is something from my childhood that I would like to carry over for my family. 

SL: Have you asked your parents for advice? What’s the best parenting advice you’ve received?

I speak to my mom almost every day. I have so much to learn as a new mom, so advice is always welcome! That being said, I feel like the best advice I have gotten is to trust your gut and do what is right for you and your baby. Everyone has so many opinions on how you should do things or raise your kids; I feel like listening to what is right for you is key. 

SL: Johnny and his family speak Spanish. Do you want your children to be bilingual?

Of course! What an amazing trait to be bilingual, I wish I were raised like that. I will be speaking English and Johnny and his family will speak Spanish to her.

SL: What do you miss most about St. Louis?

Honestly you can’t beat a Carl’s cheeseburger and root beer float or a Ted Drewes on a hot summer day.

SL: What advice do you have for aspiring St. Louis models?

Find a local agency that believes in you and start there. They can guide you in next steps and help build your book and experience.

SL: Is there anything else you want the people back home to know about you, your life now, and career?

I feel like I try to be super open and honest about my life on social media. I hope that people know I am always coming from a genuine place and that I am a human like everyone else! Life isn’t always what it may seem on social media, but I hope I can paint a realistic picture by sharing even the difficult times or my struggles. 

For more on Windsor, follow her on social media @devwindsor.

Lizzy Reisinger is a summer editorial intern who graduated from MICDS in 2018 and is currently studying journalism and Spanish at the University of Southern California.