Gary Briggs II Is Elevating the Fashion and Modeling Scene in Northeast Ohio

Briggs II poses for a photoshoot.

Gary Briggs II has been making waves in the modeling world since 2017. His journey began while he was a student at Notre Dame College. Encouraged by friends who saw potential in him, Briggs II participated in a fashion show and quickly fell in love with the experience, deciding to pursue modeling further.

Since then, modeling has opened many doors for him—both creatively and geographically. He’s modeled in Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta, and New York, gaining valuable industry experience and building a strong network of connections.

At Notre Dame College, Briggs II studied Communications with a minor in Theater, a background that continues to complement his work in front of the camera. In 2022, he appeared on the Hulu reality TV show Back in the Groove, which took place in the Dominican Republic. The show centered around three women in their 40s looking for younger romantic interests.

Before that, he was cast for The Bachelorette season 16 after being contacted via Instagram. Unfortunately, he tested positive for COVID-19 upon arrival and was unable to participate.

Briggs II draws inspiration from various public figures including athletes, actors, and models. Some of his key style and career influences include Tyson Beckford, Jalen Hurts, and Fabolous. He gravitates toward individuals with a unique and authentic style.

His fashion sense is diverse and often polarizing. “People either love my outfits or hate them,” he shared. His passion for fashion was sparked during his time at John F. Kennedy High School, which he described as a “fashion forward” environment. There, staying on trend wasn’t just encouraged—it was expected.

Briggs II finds motivation in the drive not to fail. To keep himself available for acting, modeling, and entertainment opportunities, he continues working bartending and serving jobs. He’s honest about the hustle and the reality of the industry. “...Shoot as much as you can. Make sure you get yourself in different looks, make sure you get yourself with different angles with different photographers and shoot as much as possible because that's what you’re selling, what you're marketing…”

Briggs II models for a photoshoot.

He acknowledges the difficulty of the "in-between" periods in modeling— when work is slow or uncertain. Yet, he remains focused on his ultimate goal: becoming a household name in the entertainment industry. Whether it's modeling, acting, or potentially music, he wants to be booked often and paid well.

Briggs II has modeled for several major brands including Ilthy, Jack Daniels, Crown Royal, and Herradura. He also modeled for the book Where We Found Our Heart. Among these, his collaboration with Ilthy holds special meaning due to his strong connection with Cleveland.

Briggs II models Ilthy.

His love for the city runs deep, and he hopes to one day have the same kind of cultural impact on Cleveland as Steve Harvey and Halle Berry. “...I wanna be able to show people, little black boys and little black girls, like hey it's possible. Hey I’m from the same neighborhood you from and I’ve ran the same streets you ran but I did it and you can do it too and show em’ that they can do it…You don’t have to sell drugs, you don’t have to go out and sell your body you don’t have to do none of that stuff. Just be who you are…don’t be afraid to work a little bit, actually work a lotta bit. Don’t be afraid to sacrifice…”

Briggs II recognizes that the modeling scene in Northeast Ohio is still developing. “...I think it's growing but I don’t know if the Northeast Ohio modeling scene is there yet. It's not bad but it's still in the oven right now. It's still cookin’. I do see great things from it. I do see it goin’ in the right direction. I just personally don’t know if it's on par with the LA, with a New York, with Atlanta from what I’ve seen…”

When it comes to modeling styles, Briggs II prefers photoshoots over runways. “Runways are fun,” he said, “but photoshoots have a lot more versatility.” One of his notable career moments was modeling at New York Fashion Week through an agency called Westhaven.

Briggs II walks the runway.

Currently, Briggs II is leaning more into commercial and style modeling, with an eye on transitioning into acting. As he continues building his brand, his impact on Northeast Ohio’s creative landscape is undeniable—and only just beginning.

Follow Briggs II:

Instagram: @_just_gary1