During the late Eighties, Kara Young formed part of an elite group of African-American models who helped to redefine the ideal of the "All-American" look. Young along with fellow compatriots Karen Alexander, Veronica Webb, Louise Vyent, Beverly Peele and Gail O'Neill heralded a shift in society's perception of All-American beauty from the stock standard blonde hair blue-eyed look to an appreciation of the true American melting pot.
Young began modelling in 1987 in her hometown of San Francisco and her modelling career kicked into overdrive when she moved to New York a year later, signing with Elite Model Management. With her smouldering gaze, cheshire cat grin and wild, unruly tresses, Young had a look which was distinct, fresh and alluring. Young was a muse for photographer Santé D'Orazio to whom she was married at the time and consequently was photographed frequently by D'Orazio for British Vogue, Vogue Italia and Paris Vogue.
Young's bi-racial looks played to her advantage by appealing to a broad cross-section of communities. Recognising her mass-market appeal, US Vogue selected Young to appear on an unprecedented three solo covers of the fashion bible photographed by Richard Avedon and Patrick Demarchelier. Young's girl-next-door look also made her a regular fixture in mainstream fashion publications including Glamour, Mademoiselle and US Elle. Advertising campaigns for the Gap, Byblos, Revlon and Guerlain cosmetics followed suit as well as appearances in the Victoria's Secret catalogue and Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, making Young one of the most in-demand models of her generation.
Young began modelling in 1987 in her hometown of San Francisco and her modelling career kicked into overdrive when she moved to New York a year later, signing with Elite Model Management. With her smouldering gaze, cheshire cat grin and wild, unruly tresses, Young had a look which was distinct, fresh and alluring. Young was a muse for photographer Santé D'Orazio to whom she was married at the time and consequently was photographed frequently by D'Orazio for British Vogue, Vogue Italia and Paris Vogue.
Young's bi-racial looks played to her advantage by appealing to a broad cross-section of communities. Recognising her mass-market appeal, US Vogue selected Young to appear on an unprecedented three solo covers of the fashion bible photographed by Richard Avedon and Patrick Demarchelier. Young's girl-next-door look also made her a regular fixture in mainstream fashion publications including Glamour, Mademoiselle and US Elle. Advertising campaigns for the Gap, Byblos, Revlon and Guerlain cosmetics followed suit as well as appearances in the Victoria's Secret catalogue and Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue, making Young one of the most in-demand models of her generation.
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| Glamour - May 1989 Photographer - Paul Lange Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| Sports Illustrated Swimsuit - 1989 Photographer - Marc Hispard Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| Photographer - Santé D'Orazio A Private View - Santé D'Orazio Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| UK Vogue - July 1989 Photographer - Santé D'Orazio Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| Christy Turlington & Kara Young Vogue Italia - September 1993 Photographer - Santé D'Orazio Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| UK Vogue - Unknown Photographer - Santé D'Orazio Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| UK Vogue - June 1991 Photographer - Santé D'Orazio Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| US Elle - Unknown Photographer - Gilles Bensimon Source - bellazon.com |
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| Kara Young, Laurence Treil & Christy Turlington The Most Unforgettable Women in the World wear Revlon Photographer - Richard Avedon Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| Kara Young & hairdresser John D'Orazio Photographer - Santé D'Orazio Source - johndorazio.com |
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| Kara Young, Carré Otis & Jennifer Noble US Vogue - Unknown Photographer - Patrick Demarchelier Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| US Vogue - Unknown Photographer - Steven Meisel Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| US Elle - Unknown Photographer - Gilles Bensimon Source - bellazon.com |
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| US Vogue - April 1988 Photographer - Richard Avedon Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| Glamour - November 1989 Photographer - Unknown Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| US Vogue - October 1989 Photographer - Patrick Demarchelier Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| Glamour - August 1989 Photographer - Unknown Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| US Elle - March 1988 Photographer - Gilles Bensimon Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| US Vogue - October 1988 Photographer - Richard Avedon Source - thefashionspot.com |
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| US Elle - December 1989 Photographer - Gilles Bensimon Source - thefashionspot.com |