Modeling Journey

French newcomer Aymeline Valade is fast becoming one of my favourite faces of the moment. Valade appears in two compelling editorials for Numero and Vogue China lensed respectively by Tom Munro and Camilla Akrans. Munro's feitsh inspired editorial for Numero, taps into Valade's sultry beauty and depicts her as a woman not afraid to show off her brazen sexuality. Aymeline's versatility as a model is demonstrated further as she reveals a softer, more winsome, romantic side for Vogue China's editorial. Akrans captures Valade in a sun dappled garden setting amidst cherry blossoms and hydrangeas. Valade looks simply divine wearing creations by Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga, Celine and Maison Martin Margiela. 

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." 

Raquel Zimmerman's blue chip appeal shows no signs of wavering even after more than a decade in the modelling biz. Zimmerman's reign continues with three Fall/Winter 2011 campaign appearances for Alexander Wang, Lanvin and Yves Saint Laurent lensed by Fabien Baron, Steven Meisel and Inez Van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. Zimmerman also features in the August 2011 editions of US Vogue in two editorials captured by Meisel and Steven Klein, in Paris Vogue posing again for Lamsweerde & Matadin, and on the cover of Vogue Espana photographed by Josh Olins.

Zimmerman first rose to prominence in the late nineties amidst the Brazilian wave of models bringing sexy back into fashion. Whilst many of her Brazilian counterparts have since fallen by the wayside, Zimmerman's appeal and reputation as one of the most versatile models in the industry has made her an enduring presence in publications like Paris Vogue, US Vogue, Vogue Italia, V Magazine and W. I particularly adore Zimmerman because she is not your conventional cookie cutter beauty. Zimmerman's elongated face, distinct jawline, and distended gap between her upper lip and nose, make for a face that is uniquely beautiful and intriguing.

Zimmerman is the undisputed campaign queen having figured prominently in campaigns for Gucci, Chloe, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Alexander McQueen, Hugo Boss, Hermes, Fendi, Oscar de la Renta and Shiseido cosmetics. Zimmerman's stunning versatility and her ability to transform in front of the camera ensure her the kind of longevity that is only accorded to models truly worthy of supermodel status.