Modeling Journey

Before the emergence of Doutzen Kroes, Lara Stone, Daphne Groeneveld et al, the Netherland's was duly represented by supermodel Karen Mulder. Mulder was discovered in 1985 at the age of fifteen year when a friend sent in pictures of her to the Elite Agency's reknowned Elite Model Look competition. Mulder placed second and was swiftly signed onto Elite's books. Standing at 180 cm with honey blonde tresses and classically beautiful features, Mulder quickly ascended the ranks of the modelling ladder working for high-profile clients like Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Versace and Calvin Klein. Mulder came to represent the epitome of the classic blonde however with a refined European elegance and sophistication that was missing amongst her American counterparts.

Mulder became a regular fixture within the pages and on the covers of high fashion publications like British Vogue, Paris Vogue and American Vogue, and was photographed habitually by influential photographers of the day; Arthur Elgort, Patrick Demarchelier, Peter Lindberg, Francesco Scavullo, Helmut Newton and Irving Penn. By 1991, Mulder had hit her stride professionally, landing multi-million dollar contracts with Guess, Calvin Klein and Chanel cosmetics. Mulder formed part of an exclusive group of supermodels during the nineties including Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Claudia Schiffer and Tatjana Patitz, appearing together on the cover of the 100th Anniversary issue of American Vogue shot by Patrick Demarchelier.

During the latter part of her career, Mulder capitalised on her wholesome good looks by appearing in the coveted Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue and became a Victoria's Secret staple model. Mulder retreated from modelling in 2000 and has gone on record as saying that "From the beginning I hated being photographed. For me, it was just an assumed role, and in the end, I didn't really know who I was as a person. Everybody was saying to me, 'Hi, you're fantastic.' But inside, I felt worse from day to day." Mulder's life post-modelling has since been characterised by personal and emotional issues which have been widely documented in the international press.

Canadian model Kate King was tipped by top casting agent Anita Bitton in the lead up to the Fall/Winter 2011 collections as one of the faces to watch. Seventeen year old King has more than lived up to industry expectations by amassing a list of blue chip shows including Alexander Wang, Rag & Bone, Marc Jacobs, Phillip Lim, Ports 1961, Diane Von Furstenburg, Cushnie et Ochs, Tommy Hilfiger, Prada and Emilio Pucci. Standing at 178 cm in height, King has a look that is exotic and modern. Of all the new models, King stands out to me the most with her long, languid limbs and a face that is mesmerisingly beautiful and relevant to modelling's current disposition toward distinctive faces. Represented by Elite Models in New York, King possesses a grace, presence and beauty that is reminiscent of Supermodel Christy Turlington.

Seventeen year old Angolan model Roberta Narciso was discovered in 2010 at the Elite Model Look of the Year Competition where she placed in the top fifteen finalists. Narciso made a stunning debut at the recent Spring/Summer 2011 Haute Couture shows in Paris, where she glided down the runways for Valentino and Bouchra Jarrar. Represented by Elite Models in Paris, Narciso's career is being guided with meticulous precision. Narciso skipped the New York and London show circuits, opting instead to make her Fall/Winter 2011 debut in Milan. The buzz generated has been worth the wait with Narciso walking for Prada, Albino, Brioni, Angelo Marani, Ermanno Scervino and Gareth Pugh. Standing at 181 cm in height with a face that is reminiscent of the legendary late Naomi Sims, Narciso could well be the next great pioneer for diversity in modelling. Next stop Paris!

After a succession of Brazilian, Beglian, Russian, and Dutch models, it appears that Australians could very well be riding high on the next wave of models set to infiltrate the modelling world. In the agency show packages released in the lead up to the Fall/Winter 2011 shows, Australians feature prominently, with 7 out of the 25 models presented in the official Elite Models show package being Australian.

Established Australian models Catherine McNeil and Abbey Lee Kershaw are not officially slated to appear at New York Fashion Week but will be duly represented by emerging talents; Bambi Northwood-Blyth, Julia Nobis, Ajak Deng, Alice Burdeu, Tallulah Morton, Amanda Ware, Myf Shepherd, Lauren Brown, Annaleise Smith, Ruby Jean Wilson, Melissa Johannsen aka MJ, and Codie Young. This is just the tip of the iceberg with fellow Antipodean models; Stephanie Cherry, Samantha Harris, Juliana Forge, Meg Lindsay, Rachel Rutt, Stephanie Carta and Alexandra Agoston O'Connor yet to be confirmed for appearances during the Fall/Winter show season.

According to influential US casting director Ashley Brokaw in an interview with the New York Times, "Thing's are steering away from the army casting we've seen in recent years." With the focus shifting towards personality and individuality, models like Abbey Lee Kershaw who possess a quirkiness and an unaffected, natural beauty that is endearing, are positioned to do well. There is no doubt that Australian models will feature prominently throughout the Fall/Winter 2011 shows, the question that remains however is which models will garner the attention of the all important fashion editors, photographers and stylists?