Modeling Journey

Dazed & Confused delivers a 60-plus page visual smorgasbord for its September issue featuring a genius mix of established models, new faces and kids discovered at street castings. Kacper Kasprzyk photographs the cast of nearly 40 models including Joan Smalls, Liu Wen, Emily Didonato, Marloes Horst, Aymeline Valade, Hanna Ben Abdesslem and Ajak Deng in a series of moody black and white and colour shots with blue lit backdrops. The editorial showcases looks from the Fall/Winter 2011 collections with styling by Katie Shillingford, Karen Langley and Robbie Spencer. An element of surprise is gleaned with each turn of the page thanks to the eclectic mix of high fashion faces, commercial models and unknowns.

Just in, are these candid snaps of photographer Terry Richardson with three of modelling's most gorgeous faces. Joan Smalls, Candice Swanepoel and Aussie sensation Bambi Northwood-Blyth pose solo and alongside Richardson for these studio shots. Richardson "thumbs up" studio shots have become his signature trademark and bring a sense of lightness and fun on set. The candid pics also give the models the opportunity to ham it up and to express a side of their personalities that we don't get to see often enough.

Go-sees play a fundamental role in a model's day-to-day existence and usually involves trudging from one end of town to the other chasing appointments. Upon arrival at the client's designated address, the model switches from her comfortable flats to heels and walks the length of the room, stopping, turning, and walking back. The client or casting agent then takes a a series of polaroids usually a front and side profile shot, and the go-see is over in a matter of minutes. It may seem like an uncomplicated, seamless process however, imagine trying to make a lasting impression within the space of three minutes whilst being scrutinised from head to toe amongst an endless stream of model hopefuls.

Ezra Petronio the editor-in-chief and creative director of Self Service Magazine has mastered the art of capturing a model at her best within a simple polaroid shot. The beauty of a polaroid is that there are no props, styling, and visual wizardry to distract from the model's face. In essence, the focus is entirely on the model, her face, skin tone and presence. Either the goods are there, or they ain't. The following series of go-see polaroids taken by Petronio of some of modelling's biggest names and emerging new faces illustrate best how to impress. 

Estonian born Karmen Pedaru began modelling in 2005 after being scouted whilst at a theatre performance in her hometown of Tallinn. Pedaru was formerly an elite athlete competing for the Estonian national soccer team prior to being discovered. Pedaru has since hung up her soccer training boots for the equally rigorous runway circuit where she is now a permanent fixture. Pedaru's modelling career has been gradually building momentum and following more than six years in the industry, is set to hit overdrive. Pedaru is a firm favourite with Paris Vogue and British Vogue, and recently landed her first Vogue covers for the Portuguese and Greek editions of the publication. Pedaru also starred recently alongside Joan Smalls in Gucci's Spring/Summer 2011 campaign lensed by Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott and appears in the current Fall/Winter 2011 campaign for Michael Kors shot by Mario Testino.

Photographer - Unknown Source - bellazon.com

As a former athlete, Karmen compares her career to sport; stating that, "Modelling is kind of like a sport. You need a lot of endurance and focus." In an interview with Michal Figurski for reserved-fashion.blogspot, Pedaru elaborates "In this business you can't afford to be tired. It's really hard work. I fly about three times a week, yesterday I was in NYC, today I'm in Poland, tomorrow I'm flying to Paris. If I don't keep my energy and enthusiasm, I'll drop out. There's no work for tired models." Pedaru's sporting background puts her in good stead, "I played as a goal keeper for 6 years. I was well-built back then. You can still see my muscles here and there. I'm still quite fit, I play basket ball and roller skate."

As one of the most industrious and down-to-earth models in the industry, I am delighted to see Pedaru's strong work ethic paying dividends. Represented by Ford Models in New York, this statuesque 178 cm tall, olive green eyed beauty remains grounded in spite of her success. In the same interview for reserved-fashion.blogspot, Figurski poses the question; "Does being beautiful make life easier?", to which Pedaru replies, "It's a question of personality. If you're beautiful on the inside, then yes. Being beautiful only on the outside, you're nobody. I sense such people at first glance. There are many people like this in every business."

British Vogue - March 2011 Photographer - Mario Testino Source - models.som

Numero - May 2008 Photographer - Greg Kadel Source - thefashionspot.com

i-D Magazine - September 2008 Photographer - Pierre Bailly Source - nymag.com

Paris Vogue - July 2011 Photographer - Cedric Buchet Source - models.com

Purple Magazine - S/S 2009 Photographer - Mario Sorrenti Source - models.com

Paris Vogue - February 2011 Photographer - Paolo Kudacki Source - models.com

British Vogue - May 2011 Photographer - Mario Testino Source - nymag.com

Interview - August 2011 Photographer - Fabien Baron Source - models.com

Karmen Pedaru & Karlie Kloss British Vogue - August 2010 Photographer - Daniel Jackson Source - models.com

W Magazine - March 2010 Photographer - Mario Sorrenti Source - nymag.com

Numero - March 2010 Photographer - Solve Sundsbo Source - thefashionspot.com

Costume National - S/S 2010 Photographer - Glen Luchford Source - models.com

Gucci - S/S 2011 Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott Source - bellazon.com

Russh Magazine - April 2009 Photographer - Simon Burstall Source - models.ocm

Michael Kors - S/S 2011 Photographer - Mario Testino Source - models.com

W Magazine - July 2009 Photographer - Claudia Knoepfel & Stefan Indlekofer Source - nymag.com