Whirlwind journey from beach to boutique

Spanish model works with emerging Chinese designers, Lara Farrar reports

For a kid from a small village in the Canary Islands, model, entrepreneur and fashion designer Jose Acosta has come a long way.

Less than 10 years ago, Acosta had only traveled beyond the beaches of his paradisiacal island home, twice. He has since worked as a model for major designers, including Giorgio Armani, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana, in the European fashion capitals of Milan, Paris, Barcelona, Munich and Athens.