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 |
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 |