Modeling Journey

W Magazine profiles three of modelling newest stars in a beauty feature entitled "A Model U.N". Emily Baker, Sui He and Joan Smalls are photographed by dynamic duo Daniele Duella and Iango Henzi in a series of smouldering black and white portraits. 

Seventeen year old New Zealander Emily Baker had a killer debut season at the Fall/Winter 2011 shows where she appeared in a staggering total of 60 shows. Baker was the name on every designer and major casting director's watch list and is about to parlay her runway traction into major editorial overdrive. Standing at 177 cm in height and blessed with incredible bone structure and a beguiling presence, Baker is simply the complete package.

Sui He hails from Whenzhou and is the latest modelling export to come out of China. Discovered four years ago in a modelling competition, He made history at the Fall/Winter 2011 shows by being the first model of Asian descent to open for Ralph Lauren. He possesses a versatile beauty that can veer from edgy androgynous one moment to sultry bombshell the next. Blessed with elegant, long limbs and exquisite features, He is likely to be a long-distance contender.

Puerto Rican native Joan Smalls is already a bonafide modelling star having signed on with Estee Lauder in December 2010 as a spokesmodel. Whilst Smalls undoubtedly has the all important physical attributes and beauty to succeed, it is her personality, eloquence and professionalism that are fast earning her accolades in fashion circles. Smalls is a firm favourite with US Vogue, V Magazine, Italia Vogue and Paris Vogue and has appeared in three consecutive Gucci campaigns. 

Shortly after my arrival in Berlin in July 2010, I was meandering down the main shopping precinct of Friedrichstraße, when I caught glimpse of an astonishingly beautiful woman with shoulder length, grey hair cycling past me. It was only upon second glance that I realised this vision of loveliness was the very spitting image of Nineties Supermodel Kristen McMenamy.

During the early Nineties, McMenamy reached the peak of her fame, creating iconic images with the likes of Helmut Newton, Richard Avedon, Juergen Teller and Steven Meisel. With her bleached eye brows, strong nose, androgynous looks, ever-changing hair colour and formidable personality, McMenamy came to represent the epitome of unconventional beauty. In an interview with i-D, McMenamy recounts how "My upbringing was very Catholic, very strict. I lived in suburban America where you had to fit the norm; otherwise you'd be considered an outcast. I was always an outcast. I fought my whole life against being normal, I'm not gonna start now."

Vogue Italia - May 2011 Photographer - Steven Meisel Source - fashiongonerogue.com

i-D Magazine - September 2010 Photographer - Daniele Duella & Iango Henzi

i-D Magazine - September 2010 Photographer - Daniele Duella & Iango Henzi Source - Models.com

In 2010, McMenamy ever the non-conformist, returned to modelling with a vengeance and new waist length silver, grey tresses. At age 46, McMenamy's ensuing editorial appearances in US Vogue, Vogue Italia, Paris Vogue, LOVE, Dazed & Confused, and i-D Magazine have cemented her near legendary status in the fashion industry as a muse to designers, photographers and stylists. 

McMenamy continues to enthral, with her latest appearance on the cover of the May 2011 edition of Vogue Italia and in the accompanying editorial shot by Steven Meisel. I have not seen McMenamy looking better. She exhibits an inner calm and confidence whilst also retaining the free spirited nature of her personality. In the same interview with i-D Magazine McMenamy concurs "Well, I am still modelling at 46, that goes to show that there isn't a cut off point for beauty or coolness. I wanna be a rockin' senior citizen!"