Second Glance

One of the aspects that I enjoy most about compiling this blog is that I get the chance to profile models whose work I admire and that perhaps have been overlooked in the fashion industry. Twenty-three year old Dutch model Marloes Horst is a perfect case in point. Originally discovered in 2007, Horst was catapulted into the modelling's major league when she was cast in the Spring/Summer 2009 Prada show alongside a slew of Dutch models including Bette Franke, Ymre Stiekema, Cato Van Ee and Lara Stone. A deluge of bookings followed including campaigns for Valentino fragrance, Sportmax Code, Iceberg, and editorial appearances in Dazed & Confused, V magazine, Vogue Russia, and the Italian editions of Elle, Flair, Amica, and Marie Claire.

Marloes Horst
Photographer - Dan Martensen
Source - thefashionspot.com

More than meets the eye
Free People - S/S 2010
Photographer - Thomas Wolfe Northcut
Source - thefashionspot.com

Horst's classic blue-eyed, blonde, bombshell looks and va-va-voom physique should have played to her advantage but instead she found herself reluctantly cast in the ilk of a commercial model, more suited to lingerie and swimsuit clients. The buzz surrounding Horst gradually dissipated and she was no longer as sought after on the international show circuit nor for high fashion editorial work. Realising that Horst's modelling options had stalled, her management team at Next Models went into overdrive to strategically reposition the budding model on the market by paring back her bookings and through careful selection of the types of jobs that she would take on. 

Harpers Bazaar Australia - March 2012
Photographer - Will Davidson
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Australian Vogue - February 2012
Photographer - Nicole Bentley
Source - thefashionspot.com

W Magazine - June 2011
Photographer - Santiago Sierra
Source - models.com

Allure - June 2011
Photographer - Nicholas Moore
Source - the fashionspot.com

The past twelve months have played witness to Horst displaying a stunning versatility in editorials for a diverse range of publications including W, Intermission, Muse, French Revue de Modes, Dazed & Confused, Allure, US Glamour, and the Australian, Mexican and Spanish editions of Vogue. Don't get me wrong, Horst is still capable of donning a swimsuit with her trademark sex appeal, the difference now though is that she does so with a high fashion slant. In an interview with digitaldiamonds.de Horst reveals that, "The agency always tells what kind of jobs I'm on option for and they advise me. You talk about what way you and your agency want to present and push you. Every model has her own road to take."  With lucrative bookings for the likes of Victoria's Secret, Pirelli Calendar, Calvin Klein Swimwear and Sisley, Horst is well and truly back in the winner's circle.

Dazed & Confused - September 2011
Photographer - Kacper Kasprzyk
Source - models.com

Marlon Texeira & Marloes Horst
Vogue Espana - December 2011
Photographer - Bruce Weber
Source - thefashionspot.com

Intermission - Fall/Winter 2011
Photographer - Patrick Selstedt
Source - thefashionspot.com

Vogue Australia - February 2012
Photographer - Nicole Bentley
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

French Revue de Modes - Fall/Winter 2011
Photographer - Thierry Le Goues
Source - models.com

Sisley Campaign  - S/S 2011
Photographer - Terry Richardson
Source - thefashionspot.com

Calvin Klein Swimwear - S/S 2011
Photographer - Sebastian Kim
Source - models.com

Playing it Safe

As the big name campaigns begin to emerge, it appears that designers are relying on established faces to draw in consumers. Gisele Bundchen flaunts her trademark sass appeal for Versace and Givenchy whilst fellow Brazilian turns it out in Haiti for Donna Karan. Natasha Poly is one of the boys for DSquared2 whilst iconic Italian model Maria Carla Boscono embodies the very spirit of Yves Saint Laurent and doubles up for Givenchy. Age and experience appear to be a major draw card with each of the aforementioned models having been in the modelling game for more than a decade. The exception to the rule is Prada who assemble an eclectic cast of recognisable faces alongside new recruits. Natasha Poly and blasts from the past - Elise Crombez and Meghan Collison, join newcomers Katryn Kruger and Kati Nescher for its gas guzzling hotrod themed campaign. 

Maria Carla Boscono
Yves Saint Laurent - S/S 2012
Photographer - David Sims

Maria Carla Boscono
Yves Saint Laurent - S/S 2012
Photographer - David Sims
Source - models.com

Adriana LIma
Donna Karan - S/S 2012
Photographer - Russell James
Source - nymag.com

Adriana Lima
Donna Karan - S/S 2012
Photographer - Russell James

Adriana Lima
Donna Karan - S/S 2012
Photographer - Russell James
Source - models.com

Gisele Bundchen
Versace-  S/S 2012
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - models.com

Chris Moore, Gisele Bundchen & Simone Nobili
Givenchy - S/S 2012
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Maria Carla Boscono, Simone Nobili & Chris Moore
Givenchy - S/S 2012
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Natasha Poly, Dmitriy Tanner, Matt Woodhouse,
Paolo Anchisi & Ton Heukels
DSquared2 - S/S 2012
Photographer - Mert Alas & Marcus Piggott
Source - models.com

Ymre Stiekema & Katryn Kruger
Prada - S/S 2012
Photographer - Steven Meisel

Kati Nescher & Meghan Collison
Prada - S/S 2012
Photographer - Steven Meisel

Natasha Poly & Elise Crombez
Prada - S/S 2012
Photographer - Steven Meisel
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

The Contender

Models like 19 year old Santo Domingo native Marihenny Rivera Pasible remind me of why I fell in love with modelling in the first instance. Rivera Pasible possesses a rare innocent, child-like beauty that is simply mesmerising in its purity. Backed by casting agents Michele Lee, Russell Marsh and Katie Grand, Rivera Pasible made an indelible mark at the Spring/Summer 2012 collections appearing in a total of 16 shows. The Dominican stunner who is represented by New York Model Management, was earmarked early on for success by influential casting agent Katie Grand who selected her to open the Giles show in London. The buzz generated paid dividends in Paris and Milan with Rivera Pasible walking for Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu, Loewe, Kenzo, Hussein Chalayan, Prada and Marni.

Introducing Ms Marihenny Rivera Pasible
Photographer - Terry Gates
Source - thefashionspot.com

With editorial appearances in V Magazine, Lurve Magazine, Teen Vogue and Nylon under her belt, as well as an up-coming British Vogue editorial lensed by Paolo Roversi, Rivera Pasible is fast becoming one of the most coveted newcomers of the Spring/Summer 2012 season. The interest in Rivera Pasible is evident with the Cut, models.com and Vogue Italia all featuring interviews with the elegant and articulate beauty on their websites. Watch for Rivera Pasible to dominate at the Fall/Winter 2012 collections in February where I am certain she will have the bounty of New York's designers falling before her well turned feet.

Photographer - Unknown
Source - models.com

Lurve Magazine - Issue 5
Photographer - Matteo Montanari
Source - fashiongonerogue.com

Photographer - Unknown
Source - interview.com

Photographer - Idris & Tony
Source - vogue.it

Photographer - Idris & Tony
Source - vogue.it

Ohne Titel - S/S 2012
Photographer - Filippo Fior

Hussein Chalayan - S/S 2012
Photographer - Filippo Fior

Prada - S/S 2012
Photographer - Monica Feudi

Rebecca Taylor - S/S 2012
Photographer - Alessandro Viero

Marni - S/S 2012
Photographer - Yannis Vlamos

Top Shop Unique - S/S 2012
Photographer - Yannis Vlamos
All runway images courtesy of style.com

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