Model of the month: Karlie Kloss

While Lara Stone undoubtedly reigns supreme as 2009's model of the year, 17 year old American Karlie Kloss is no doubt a close second, who is hot on Stone's heals. A Vogue favourite with no less then an amazing 37 international vogue editorials in 2009 alone, this statuesque St. Louis natives star is progressively on the rise. Discovered at 13, while helping a friend organize a charity fashion show, by 15 she had already landed exclusive catwalk contracts with luxury fashion houses Calvin Klein and Gucci for the spring shows as well as being signed by renowned modelling agency, Elite (now with Next). Kloss's now prospering editorial career began like many of her fellow young and prominent models, such as Chanel Iman, in Teen Vogue of August 2007.


In recent years Kloss's good girl American beauty, swaying and statuesque frame and alluring downcast eyes has propelled this Missouri teenager into the realms of top model status. With a diverse portfolio, encapsulating the elite of the international fashion industry, Kloss's runway career has included opening for the Marc by Marc Jacobs, Carolina Herrera and Chloé shows as well as stints for Alexander McQueen, Rodarte, Alexander Wang, Valentino and Givenchy. Her editorial work on the other hand, has spanned the global fashion publication industry including appearances in Numero, Korean and American W, Australian fashion bible Russh, I-D, Vanity Fair, as well as reocurring feautures in French, Italian, British and most reoccurring, American Vogue. On the campaign front there has been no shortage of jobs either, with campaigns for See by Chloe, Topshop Bvlgari, Nina Ricci, Gap, Dolce & and Gabanna, Marc Jacobs perfume Lola as well as most recently Dior and Hermes.


However while Kloss is presented as an all rounder, working for the elite of the fashion industry in all aspects, fame hasn't gone to this young models head. She still attends high school, even taking online courses while travelling and cites baking cookies and going to Disneyland as her favourite activities.As for her personals style she wears "something Alexander Wang every day". But it her dancing background, with 5 years as a student of ballet has given her an edge in this competitive business, allowing graceful, flowing and ever conscientious movement in front of the camera.


Photographer Arthur Elgort has described Kloss as "disciplined, has danceability, repetition and gorgeous legs and shes happy to hang her clothes up after each picture. Fashion connoisseur Steven Meisel portays Kloss"an amazing model. She knows clothes. he has tonnes of energy. She will add things to the shoot i would have never thought of. she thinks from the point of view of an editor and a photographer , not just that of a model". With such glowing recommendations, Kloss is no doubt a supermodel in the making.

Model of the month: Lara Stone

As W Magazine declared fashion has a new it girl. At 25 years old Lara stone doesn't seem like a likely candidate for the next top model, but her quirky look, voluptuous figure and versatility are a potent mix which has shaken up the fashion industry's perspective of what is beautiful. Stone isn't your typical cookie cutter model, with her infamous tooth gap and womanly figure, the Dutch model has been branded the anti-model, Unlike the innocent doe eyed look of now-a-days typical model, stones overt sexuality and Bridget Bardot-esque look exert a powerful femininity and a dominating presence.


However stone isn't a completely fresh face to the modelling scene, at 12 years old she was discovered in a Paris metro by a model agent's wife. At 15 she entered into the Elite Model Look competition. While not winning she didn't go unnoticed. For the next few years she worked internationally, doing regional print in places like Japan and Barcelona. However Stone wasn't getting the recognition she has hoped for and at 22 years old felt that she was too old to make it big. Then with the switching of agents from Elite to IMG, she was relaunched as a fresh face even though she had been working the industry for years. IMG'S tactics worked as she was became bombarded with requests for runway shows and editorial work. It was however Ricardo Tisci, creative director of Givenchy who really helped her establish her position in the modelling industry by casting her in his Fall 2006 show.


Her feminine frame and feline features enthralled the fashion industry and with editorials, covers and campaigns galore Stone doesn't have to worry about her hatred of the runway hindering her career. With her unusually small feet not fitting into the catwalk standard size shoes, her fear of falling has made her catwalk appearances far and few. But when she has graced the runway it has only been for the best, including Prada, Chanel, Balmain, Marc Jacobs, Victoria's secret and Miu Miu. As well She has become a sort of muse for Vogue Paris editor Carine Roitfeld, and was the sole model featured on both the cover and editorials of the February 2009 edition.

Stone also has managed to capture some of the most coveted campaigns in the industry such as Givenchy, Hugo Boss and Dsquared as well as replacing Kate moss as the face of Calvin Klein. With her soft curves and atypical features this girl is a refreshing shake up in the monotonous modelling industry.

Model of the Month: Lily Donaldson

Flick through any fashion magazine with their sumptuous and extravagent advertisements and editorials and there will remain one consistent face in the overcrowded world of modelling, that of Lily Donaldson. The 22 year old model has graced the covers of countless magazines, the catwalks of numerous designers and is the face of limitless fashion houses. Last thursday night at the unveiling of the new Burberry US headquarters, which is now the newest member to illuminate the New York sky line, Donaldson reined supreme, nearly overshadowing the man of the hour, Christopher Bailey (Burberry’s head designer). The self declared Burberry girl and face of the brand for over 2 years hung onto Bailey's arm for the night, draped (of course) in head to toe Burberry.


But while being a self described member of the Burberry family, the model has graced the campaigns of many competing fashion houses. As well as being the main face of the British luxury goods label, last year Donaldson scored the highly coveted position as the face of iconic label Gucci. Since, Donaldson has earned her supermodel status with the past 5 years being a whirlwind of prestigious international cover shoots and gracing the catwalk for many esteemed designers.

Donaldson started her career in a typical fashion, after being scouted in Camden market while
shopping with friends at the young age of 16. Only 2 years later she was catapulted into the spotlight as she scored her first Vogue cover (UK), which was shot by iconic photographer Mario Testino. Since she has since been featured on covers and in editorials for the leading international fashion publications including Vogue (UK, US, Chinese, French, Australian, Italian and Nippon), W, Harper's bazaar, I-D, V magazine, and Numero. Her presence has also graced the catwalks for a diverse range of designers including Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Chloé, Dior, Diane von Furstenberg, Dolce & Gabbana, Donna Karan, Fendi, Giorgio Armani, Gucci, Hermès, Jil Sander, John Galliano, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Missoni, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Roberto Cavalli, Rochas, Stella McCartney, Tommy Hilfiger, Valentino, Vera Wang, Versace, Vivienne Westwood, Yves Saint Laurent and Zac Posen.


But what makes Donaldson stand out in the modelling world is her vast portfolio of advertisements for renowned high fashion houses such as Dolce & Gabbana, MaxMara, Jill Sander, Chanel, Balenciaga, Dior, Roberto Cavalli and Valentino which embellish the pages of international fashion bibles.

With the re-emergence of the model as key, it is Donaldson's time to shine.