Early Life and Background
Josepha Theodora Stemkens, professionally known as Jose Stemkens, was born on December 29, 1987, in Tembisa, South Africa, a township in Gauteng province. She grew up in a multicultural environment, blending African and Dutch heritage. At a young age, her family relocated to the Netherlands, where she spent her formative years and developed a deep interest in style, aesthetics, and international fashion. Jose has two siblings, including a sister named May Nijssen, and her father was known as Jet Strijbos. Her upbringing across continents shaped her unique perspective on fashion and design.
Education
Jose attended the Bouwens van der Boijecollege in Panningen, Netherlands, where she completed her schooling. Although her formal education was not exclusively focused on fashion, she gained early exposure to retail and fashion through part-time work during her school years. This experience helped her cultivate an understanding of style, presentation, and business management, which would later define her professional career.
Modeling Career
Jose Stemkens began her career as a model in Europe, working with local fashion brands and participating in runway shows and fashion photography. While she did not achieve global supermodel status, her modeling work provided her with essential industry knowledge, including professional presentation, style awareness, and the workings of the fashion market. This early experience laid the foundation for her subsequent roles in fashion consulting and entrepreneurship.
Professional Career in Fashion
After modeling, Jose transitioned into corporate roles within the fashion industry, building extensive international experience. She worked for Esprit, where she spent a decade managing global accounts and overseeing distribution across Europe, the United States, and Asia. She later served as an international account manager for The Great China Wall, a high-end clothing line, and held leadership positions at Dutch brands such as Dept and JC RAGS, overseeing their expansion into U.S. markets. These roles equipped her with expertise in brand strategy, retail operations, and international business development.
Entrepreneurship
Sunrise Fashion Consulting
In 2014, Jose Stemkens founded Sunrise Fashion Consulting in the United States. The consultancy helps international fashion brands enter and expand in the U.S. market, offering guidance in brand positioning, marketing strategies, public relations, and business development. Through Sunrise, Jose has connected emerging and established designers with opportunities to grow their presence in the American fashion landscape.
Eywasouls Malibu
In addition to her consultancy, Jose co-founded Eywasouls Malibu, a lifestyle and fashion brand inspired by California coastal aesthetics. The brand blends casual elegance with high-fashion influences, reflecting Jose’s international experience and creative vision. These entrepreneurial ventures underscore her ability to merge creativity with strategic business insight.
Marriage to Titus Welliver
Jose gained widespread public attention through her marriage to American actor Titus Welliver, known for his roles in Bosch, Lost, and Deadwood. The couple married on April 12, 2014, at Saddle Peak Lodge in Calabasas, California. The wedding was an intimate affair attended by family and close friends, including Jose’s European relatives and Titus’ children from previous relationships.
During the marriage, Jose embraced her role as a stepmother to Titus’ three children—Eamonn, Quinn, and Cora—and legally adopted Cora. She balanced family responsibilities with her professional career, establishing herself as both a businesswoman and a caring figure in a blended family.
Divorce and Life After Marriage
The couple separated after nearly five years of marriage, with Titus filing for divorce in April 2019. The divorce was finalized in 2021, with Jose retaining personal assets, including a 2017 Range Rover, six horses, jewelry, furnishings, and her business interests. Titus retained certain properties, bank accounts, and acting royalties. The court also approved spousal support payments.
Following the divorce, Jose focused on her entrepreneurial projects and continued expanding her fashion consulting and lifestyle brand. She has maintained a relatively private personal life while remaining active in her professional ventures.
Personal Life
Jose Stemkens stands at approximately 5’6” (167 cm) and is recognized for her South African-Dutch heritage. She has no biological children but played an active role in raising her stepchildren during her marriage. Her estimated net worth is around $1 million, derived primarily from her consulting work and entrepreneurial activities. Jose maintains a social media presence, including Instagram, where she shares aspects of her professional life, style, and lifestyle interests.
Public Image and Legacy
Although Jose Stemkens became widely known through her marriage to a Hollywood actor, her professional identity is firmly rooted in fashion and entrepreneurship. She is respected as a former model, an international fashion consultant, and an entrepreneur capable of guiding brands to global success. Her journey from modeling to corporate leadership to business ownership demonstrates a blend of creativity, strategic thinking, and professional resilience.
Jose Stemkens serves as a role model for aspiring models, fashion entrepreneurs, and international business professionals, showing how experience, vision, and determination can build a lasting professional legacy beyond public attention.
Conclusion
Jose Stemkens’ story is one of determination, skill, and entrepreneurship. From her early life in South Africa and the Netherlands to a modeling career in Europe and corporate leadership in international fashion brands, she has established herself as a respected professional. Her marriage to Titus Welliver brought public attention, but it is her work in fashion consultancy, brand development, and lifestyle entrepreneurship that defines her legacy. Jose continues to influence the fashion world through her creative vision, business acumen, and dedication to helping brands succeed globally, solidifying her reputation as a dynamic and accomplished professional.