**model of the moment: doutzen kroes
Every design reveals a meaning or an attitude, even if unintentionally, for every design is tied by its very existence to the reality for which it was created. Thus, having good style requires both attitude and raw aesthetic appeal, for the beauty of the clothes must function within the reality of our individual lives. Similarly, the appeal of a good model more often results from an attitude than from her appearance or aesthetic alone. Among the countless models strutting down the runways or appearing for casting calls, there is no shortage of cut-and-dry beauty. The attitude of a model, much like the formation of a design, reveals the reality in which she herself chooses to exist.
For the modern woman, there are so many attitudes from which to chose, both in life and in our wardrobes, as evidenced by the multitude and variety of designs that fashion designers send down the runway each season. From the edgy-cool antics of Alexander Wang to the enduring "low-key collegiate funk" of Marc by Marc Jacobs (Style.com), at the heart of any style exists not just a look but a way of life, and the options are seemingly endless. Gone are the days when women (or men for that matter) must play out some limited persona. If the late 60's were free-spirited, or the early 90's rebellious, then today every attitude seems to be available at once. Style and attitude today are less a pervasive generational obligation and more a personal choice. Among the prepsters or beach babes or high-fashion goths, one attitude stands out to me of late. Let's call it modern elegance, or grace and composure viewed under a fresh light.
As the poster-girl for such a movement, I've selected Doutzen Kroes, a long-standing Victoria's Secret model, but nonetheless, a woman combining a rather nice attitude with her stellar looks. In a world of glossy self-promotion and exhaustive PR efforts, Doutzen Kroes is gracious in her honesty and composed in the most serene way. She's one of the few models to acknowledge the guilt she feels about her unique and inordinately paid job, while nevertheless admitting to possess an unquenchable desire to beat out the competition in her quest to rise to the top. She'll admit to a real-life workout routine, the tiresome pace of fashion week work hours, and the frustration of back-to-back fittings. She willingly acknowledges, similarly, travel and opportunity as amazing benefits in an exclusive and rarefied field of occupation. In other words, Doutzen is a real human being, vulnerable to the trials and tribulations that other more glamorous models may choose, in their own interviews, to omit. With Doutzen honesty never comes across as crass or rude, offering a reminder that an open conversation does not have to be a defensive one.
Upholding elegance does not mean to denigrate, by comparison, the delightfully rocker appeal of Kate Moss or the sweetly original girlishness of Lindsey Wixson. Elegance today is simply another alternative, a choice made in a world of seemingly endless possibilities. Modern elegance exists separate from the ironic or rebellious, but it is by no means a condemnation of such. I once read an article describing a girl as being "so classy you could take her anywhere." Doutzen Kroes, with her gracious attitude and breathtaking beauty, perfectly embodies this ideal. You can imagine her being composed, graceful, and elegant, no matter the scene.
I love that Doutzen Kroes, who grew up in the Netherlands, submitted her own photos to a local modeling agency. Most successful models are recruited by modeling scouts, but there's something to be said for knowing what you want and going for it.
A young Doutzen...
Doutzen Kroes has appaeared on the covers of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Elle, and has starred in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Valentino, and Tiffany's. In 2005, Doutzen was named model of the year by Vogue.com readers, and in 2007, she was selected by US Vogue as one of the world's next top models. While she got her start modeling for Victoria's Secret, her editorial work has made Doutzen an interesting model beyond the world of swimwear and lingerie alone.
Editorials...
In Elle France September 2012, photographed Alex Cayley...
This is my favorite Doutzen editorial by far... in Harper's Bazaar US March 2012, photographed by Daniel Jackson...
In The Edit September 2017, photographed by Sebastian Kim...
In Vogue Turkey March 2014, photographed by Cuneyt Akeroglu...
A brief interview...P.S. Get more Doutzen Kroes on Twitter and Instagram.
(Photo credits: Fashion Gone Rogue, The Fashion Spot, SUPERMODELS, DNA Model Management, Beauty Sweet Spot, Coco Rocha's Twitter, Source Unknown)