Wednesday, December 7, 2011

In Full Bloom

When Seattle native Kendra Spears first emerged on the modelling scene in 2008 via the My Space component of the Ford Supermodel competition, her all-American good looks, killer physique and perfectly placed beauty spot drew instant comparisons to iconic model Cindy Crawford. Spears placed second in the competition, losing out to Korean model Hyoni Kang, but was nevertheless signed by Ford Models to a three year modelling contract. With glamazon looks that hark back to the days of the original supermodels, Spears quickly made her mark at the Spring/Summer 2008 collections in Milan and Paris where she walked for the likes of Gucci, Christian Lacroix, Costume National, Lanvin, and Valentino.

Kendra Spears
Vogue China - January 2010
Photographer - Lachlan Bailey
Source - models.com

Spears' instant runway success parlayed into editorial favour with publications such as Italian Flair, Numéro, Italian Amica, Cover Magazine and Another Magazine. In 2009, Spears parted company with Ford Models, signing instead with Next Model Management and continued her ascent up the modelling ranks, landing on the covers of French Revue de Modes and Dazed & Confused. Spears' big break however came when she was chosen to star alongside models Ymre Stiekema, Julia Hafstrom and Anna de Rijk in the Fall/Winter 2009 Prada campaign shot by Steven Meisel.

Cover - November 2008
Photographer - Rick Shaine
Source - nymag.com

Italian Flair - May 2009
Photographer - Chad Pitman
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Another Magazine - S/S 2009
Photographer - Willy Vanderperre
Source - models.com

Cover - November 2008
Photographer - Rick Shaine
Source - nymag.com

French Revue de Modes - Issue 14
Photographer - Thierry Le Goues
Source - bellazon.com

Dazed & Confused - July 2009
Photographer - Mariano Vivanco
Source - models.com

Kendra Spears & Ymre Stiekema
Prada - Fall/Winter 2009
Photographer - Steven Meisel
Source - models.com

Spears has since established herself as a versatile model with long-term career prospects thanks to editorial appearances in a diverse range of publications including Muse, Exit, the Last Magazine, US Harpers Bazaar, LOVE Magazine, 10 Magazine and virtually every international edition of Vogue. Campaign appearances for Calvin Klein White Label, Diane Von Furstenberg, Etro, Stefanel, the GAP and the Limited, illustrate Spears' widespread commercial appeal.

I have been a supporter of Spears since her early days in the modelling industry. Her looks are reminiscent of a bygone era when models looked, well Super. Currently ranked number 41 on the models.com list of Top 50 models, I have a strong inkling that 2012 will be the year in which Spears realises her full potential. Spears, who has been juggling modelling with sociology studies at Portland University, returned to the runway at the Spring/Summer 2012 collections looking more blue chip than ever at Chanel, Lanvin, DSquared2, Versace, Dolce & Gabbana, Emilio Pucci and Burberry Prorsum amongst others. With her professional work ethic, chameleon-like looks and effervescent personality, Spears is primed to take her place amongst the top tier models in the industry.

Kendra Spears
Photographer - Terry Richardson
Source - terrysdiary.com

The Last Magazine - S/S 2010
Photographer - Lachlan Bailey
Source - thefashionspot.com


British Vogue - August 2010
Photographer - Ben Weller
Source - nymag.com

LOVE - Spring 2010
Photographer - Angelo Pannetta
Source - nymag.com

Spanish Vogue - February 2011
Photographer - Jason Kibbler
Source - thefashionspot.com

Muse - December 2011
Photographer - Mariano Vivanco
Source - fashiongonerouge.com

French Numéro - April 2011
Photographer - Sean & Seng
Source - models.com

Kendra Spears & Toni Garrn
Paris Vogue - December 2011
Photographer - Theo Wenner
Source - thefashionspot.com

Exit - December 2011
Photographer - Benny Horne
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

All-American Beauties
Arizona Muse, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Kendra Spears & Karlie Kloss
US Vogue - February 2011
Photographer - Mario Testino
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Kendra Spears & Ming Xi
Diane Von Furstenberg - S/S 2011
Photographer - Glen Luchford
Source - nymag.com

Kendra Spears, Edita Vilkevicuite & David Smith
cK White Label - S/S 2011
Photographer - Alasdair McLellan
Source - models.com

Jacquelyn Jablonski, Ieva Laguna & Kendra Spears
Stefanel - S/S 2010
Photographer - Mario Testino
Source - models.com