text: The couple that models designer clothes together stays together — or at least that's what one New York-based duo hope, having just inked a deal as the first openly gay couple with Fusion Models. John Tuite, 22, and Carlos Santolalla, 25, go by the Brangelina-like portmanteau Jarlos, and have already earned a following in the modeling world and on New York City's party scene. But while the male model It Couple have starred in a campaign together for DKNY and posed for big brands like Edun and DSquared2, they say it hasn't always been easy for them to work in the industry and be true to themselves. Model couple: Carlos Santolalla, 25, left, and John Tuite, 22, right, are the first openly gay couple to be signed together to a modeling agency . Though the fashion industry seems very accepting of gay people, the couple explains that models are still expected to appear masculine or androgynous. Both John and Carlos had to drop their old agencies after they were told to act straight and delete the Instagram account they share, where they often post loving images of themselves kissing and hugging. 'After coming out, I didn’t want to be weird about it again and act straight at castings,' John told The Cut in December. 'The weird thing about models — something that nobody really realizes — is that they’re all straight,' Carlos recently told Out magazine. Growing fan base: On Instagram, the couple goes by the joint nickname Jarlos, and they have over 22,500 followers . Facing obstacles: John and Carlos were told by their previous modeling agencies to act more 'butch' and delete their joint Instagram account, where they often pose kissing and holding hands . 'There is an unspoken rule of modeling, at least in NYC — even if you get signed as an out model — the first thing any agent tells you to do is to dress butch and talk about girls so no one "finds out",' John added. In fact, when the couple first got together over three years after meeting at a casting call, it was because Carlos became interested in John when he realized he might be gay — which he says was unusual. Soon the pair became well-known on the New York City party scene, getting snapped with celebrities like model Gigi Hadid and Paris Hilton, DJing at trendy clubs, and even curating art shows. 'We used to sneak into parties we weren’t invited to at all and try to take pictures of famous people,' John said. 'Now we’re invited and covering it and DJing.' Looking good: The couple explained that though the modeling industry is filled with well-groomed, well-dressed men, most male models are straight . Party hard: Jarlos is well known on the New York party circuit and has been pictured with Gigi Hadid, Paris Hilton, and Harry Styles . The fact that the pair has become so widely known as a couple made them even more appealing to Fusion Models. 'We signed them as a duo because they are both models and they DJ as a duo, under the name Jarlos,' Fusion's Alexandra Phipps told Dazed. 'They’ve made a name for themselves as a team, so we decided to run with it.' As for John and Carlos, they are as excited to be making strides for gay models as they are to have signed this new deal. 'Finally being represented as an openly gay man, let alone a couple, is a huge milestone for the industry, and the whole gay community,' John said. 'We hope that this will send a message to younger generations that it's possible to succeed without compromising who you are.'
target: John Tuite, 22, and Carlos Santolalla, 25, share an Instagram account that their old agencies pressured them to delete .
  The couple claims that the world of male modeling isn't as gay-friendly as most people believe .
  The in-demand duo also DJs at hot New York City clubs and rubs shoulders with celebrities .