Gone are the days when the high fashion model was nothing but a pretty face and even prettier body. While these traits still remain true, today models seem to be much more… well interesting to be honest. In addition to strutting our favorite collections down the catwalk, most of them are double, triple or quadruple threats, at the very least. More importantly, they have become style icons in their own right, taking street style to a new level, providing us with the daily inspiration we so very much covet. And, not to mention, keeping us tuned to our social media accounts for style advice. This week, we’re counting down our five favorite (and most stylish) “It Girl” models.
1. Karlie Kloss
Born in Chicago in 1992, Karlie Elizabeth Kloss was a trained ballet dancer before she was discovered at the age of 13 at a charity fashion show in St. Louis. Fast forward eight years and she now stomps her trademark “moody gait” walk for the biggest fashion houses in the world. She is currently the face of Marc Jacob’s Lola perfume, is John Galliano’s muse, models for Victoria Secret and was named one of the Top 30 models of the 2000’s by Vogue Paris. If that wasn’t enough, the girl can bake. In collaboration with Momofuku Milk Bar, she created a fashionably wholesome cookie line called karlie’s kookies for which proceeds benefit FEED Projects. Follow her on Twitter and on Instagram.
Currently the face of multiple Burberry campaigns and Yves Saint Laurent Baby Doll Spring 2013 campaign, you’re sure to recognize British model Cara Delevingne. In the past few months, Cara has walked more F/W 2013 runways than we can count – Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Stella McCartney, John Galliano and Lanvin, to name a few. At just 20 years old, the fun loving beauty (known to rock a onesie from time to time) has just been named British Vogue’s Model of the Year. She also tried her hand at acting this past year, alongside Kiera Knightley, in Anna Karenina. Oh and did we mention she’s business-savvy too? After recently trademarking her name, she also registered her own company, Cara & Co. Follow her on Twitter, Instagram and on Tumblr.
3. Liu Wen
Beginning her career with Chinese editions of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar, it didn’t take long for Beijing native Liu Wen to break into the international spotlight. She has become a fixture on the runways of New York, Milan and Paris, walking for all of our fashion faves including: Rodarte, Alexander Wang, Balenciaga and Proenza Schouler. The 25 year old was the first Chinese model to be signed on by Estée Lauder joining its roster back in 2010. These days, Liu is part of “The New Icons” collection by H&M debuting next month. The collection channels the personalities and style of Liu, along with fellow leading models Daphne Groeneveld, Lindsey Wixson and Joan Smalls. Follow her on Twitter and on Instagram.
4. Jessica Hart
Known for her gap-toothed smile and her preppy on-point style, Australian native Jessica Hart can currently be seen in Pour La Victoire and Banana Republic campaigns. The 26 year old blonde bombshell recently walked the Louis Vuitton F/W 2-13 show and is no stranger to the Victoria’s Secret catwalk and catalogue, the Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit issue or the the editorial pages of Vogue, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. You might also recognize her from her stint on MTV reality show The City, in which she was featured on a few episodes with her long time boyfriend, Nicolas Potts, band member of Tamarama. Follow her on Twitter and on Tumblr.
5. Joan Smalls
As mentioned above, another model inspiring the H&M “New Icons” collection is Puerto-Rican beauty, Joan Smalls. But her work definitely does not stop there. Ranked the number one model in the world by models.com in 2012, she has captivated the hearts of leading designers, photographers, editors and brands around the world. In the past few months alone her work includes the S/S 2013 campaigns of H&M, Prabal Gurung and Versace. She has walked for big names such Jean Paul Gaultier, Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Balmain, Emilo Pucci, Fendi, Gucci, Bottega Venata… shall we continue? And, She has been an Estee Lauder global beauty ambassador since 2011. It seems there is no stopping this 24 year old and we can see why. Follow her on Twitter and on Instagram.
