Need to Know: Julian Woodhouse, the American Soldier Who Runs a Fashion House in South Korea

The “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” policy has allowed the LGBT community to serve our country openly and proudly without being discriminated - just look at Eric Fanning, who happens to be an openly gay man, recently appointed as the US Secretary of Army.

In fact, our soldiers can be much more than gay; they can be multi-talented. Take Julian Woodhouse, a fashion designer and model who currently serves in the US Army.

Woodhouse, 26, is an executive officer of the US Armed Forces who resides in Seoul, South Korea, with his boyfriend, Kirill. Growing up, he knew he would serve his country, just like his parents did. Instead of heading straight to fashion school, he chose to join the Reserve Officers' Training Crops. 

The “army brat,” as he calls himself, grew up in the lifestyle living in Europe, Asia, and the US. He was officially commissioned in the US Army in 2012 from the University of Minnesota. "To be honest I love being in the military," Woodhouse says. "I grew up in this life and I knew when I was younger that I was going to, like my parents, serve my country."

Being an openly gay man, Woodhouse feared that he wouldn’t be accepted well by other soliders, but to his surprise, he was received with welcoming gratitude. 

Inspired by the scenery of South Korea, he set his foot there in 2013. Then, he began developing his own label, Wood House.  He finds the Korean fashion world to be impressive and intimidating, which makes it a perfect place for him to search for influences. 

"My designs are thoughtful, progessive, and strong," he says. Wood House made its New York fashion debut recently at the fall-winter 2016 season, with a menswear line that demonstrates a solid masculinity and confidence. 

The designer dreams to one day see artists such Pharrell, Will.i.am or Kanye West wear his impeccable clothes. In the meantime, Woodhouse keeps serving his country, and wearing his army uniform with pride - but he is also working his way become the future of American fashion.