Modeling Journey

The September issue of US Vogue has finally landed on newsstands with the newly-wed Kate Moss gracing the cover in Alexander McQueen with an accompanying editorial feature on the nuptials. Moss looks every bit the radiant bride-to-be as she prepares to wed Jamie Hince in the Mario Testino lensed editorial. The mix of candid and posed shots have a poignant feel to them which is made all the more appropriate given that most of us have witnessed the evolution of Ms Moss since her days as a gangly sixteen year old on the cover of the Face. My favourite shot hands down of the editorial would have to be of Moss posing with her daughter Lila Grace, in what is surely one of the most beautiful images ever of this modelling icon.

British Vogue's September 2011 edition showcases the talents of Mario Testino in an editorial inspired by the 17th century Dutch masters, featuring modern day muses Arizona Muse and Freja Beha Erichsen. Testino captures Muse and Beha Erichsen as 17th century nemeses in ensembles by Valentino, Lanvin, Salvatore Ferragamo, Givenchy and Giles. The editorial has an ethereal, haunting effect and is a true example of when the worlds of photography, fashion and art collide with sublime results. British Vogue Editor Alexandra Shulman says of the editorial that it "earns its place among Vogue classics."

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

Of all the Brazilian models to emerge during the late nineties, Caroline Ribeiro is my absolute favourite. Born in Belom do Para, Brazil, Ribeiro's exotic, unconventional looks were a result of her Portuguese and Amazonian Indian heritage. Ribeiro's multi-cultural looks, which were an considered a hurdle during the initial stages of her career, drew the attention and admiration of the then Gucci designer Tom Ford who cast her in his Spring/Summer 1999 show. Ribeiro became a muse to Ford, who declared that "Her face is an unusual blend of cultures"and featured her prominently in multiple Gucci campaigns.

Ford's adulation opened doors for Ribeiro to work with other fashion houses and she has since starred in campaigns for Escada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta, Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent and cK1. Championed by the likes of Mario Testino, Steven Meisel and Patrick Demarchelier, Ribeiro was a permanent fixture in American Vogue, Harpers Bazaar and Vogue Italia. In September 2001, Ribeiro entered the holy grail of modelling when she was signed a reported $6 million dollar contract as a spokesperson for Revlon cosmetics. Ribeiro's exposure was also maximised in the same year when she was selected to walk in the Victoria's Secret runway spectacle.

During the late nineties, Ribeiro's distinct hybrid looks set her apart and drew comparisons to the iconic beauty Bianca Jagger. The 178 cm tall chameleon downplays her looks, stating that "I think my face is different, it's exotic - not like normal beauty. I don't have what you would call perfect beauty....with a face like mine I can play around."