From Moss to Kloss: The Most Buzzed About Models of 2011
2011 was definitely the year of the model. Models gained influence in pop culture, with new TV shows, documentaries, and larger features in magazines. It looks like editors will have to fight for their right to call themselves the "new models."
And there were certainly enough big news stories to keep models in the headlines. From Kate Moss' wedding to Jamie Hince, to a crop of new girls who instantly zoomed to the top, to both Karlie Kloss' and Andrej Pejic's topless photos that caused minor scandals, there's been a lot to talk about in modeling.
We've collected the models that created the most industry buzz in 2011, from Moss to Muse. Click through to see them all.
Raquel Zimmermann Agency: DNA
You couldn't open a magazine without seeing Raquel Zimermann's face in 2011. The Brazilian blonde had one of her biggest years ever, appearing in US Vogue a whopping eight times.
Ads: AW11: Alexander McQueen, Alexander Wang, Juicy Couture, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Shesheido SS11: Chloé Fragrance, H&M, Louis Vuitton
Editorials: American Vogue (8), Vogue Italia (3), Vogue Paris (3), W (3), Vogue China (2), British Vogue, Vogue Japan, Vogue Brazil, i-D, T, V
Covers: Vogue Italia (2), Vogue Espana, Vogue Brazil, i-D, W Korea, Elle Brazil
Models.com Ranking: #10
Kate Moss Agency: IMG
Kate Moss' wedding extravaganza gave the fashion press a public relations miracle. Whereas another British Kate refused interviews and editorials, Kate Moss flurry of appearances in fashion mags was welcomed by her devotees. And by devotees, I mean everyone.
Ads: AW11: Dior Addict, Rimmel, Kate Moss for Longchamp SS11: David Yurman, YSL Parisienne
Editorials: Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue Paris (2), Vogue Japan (2), LOVE, Harper's Bazaar UK, Elle France
Covers: Vogue Paris (2), Dazed & Confused, Vogue, British Vogue, Vogue Brazil, Vogue Japan, Harper's Bazaar UK, LOVE
Notables: Pirelli 2012 Calendar
Models.com Ranking: Icons: #2, Money Girls #3
Lindsey Wixson Agency: Marilyn
The upward popularity of Lindsey Wixson continued from 2010 into 2011, and will probably keep going until 2012. With about just as many appearances on Terry's Diary as Jared Leto, Wixson is making herself a star in real life and in print.
Ads: AW11: Versace for H&M, Versace Vanitas SS11: Jill Stuart, Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, Opening Ceremony lookbook
Editorials: British Vogue (4), V (3), W (2), AnOther Man, Elle UK, Harper's Bazaar, i-D, LOVE, Muse, Purple, Vogue China, Oyster, Vogue Italia, Vogue Japan, W Korea
Covers: Muse, i-D, Oyster, Purple, W Korea, V, Style.com Magazine
Models.com Ranking: #12
Karlie Kloss Agency: NEXT
America's Sweetheart became a woman in late 2011, baring all for Vogue Italia and walking in the Victoria's Secret fashion show. Kloss buzz has never been higher.
Ads: AW11: Dior Beauty, Donna Karan, Oscar de la Renta, Bally SS11: Dior Addict, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs Lola, Donna Karan, Dior
Editorials: Vogue (10), British Vogue (4), Numéro (2), Vogue Italia (2), Allure (2), AnOther, i-D, Vogue China, Vogue Germany, Vogue Japan, W
Covers: Vogue Italia, Vogue Germany, Harper's Bazaar Australia, i-D, Life, Numéro
Notables: 2011 marked the first year Kloss walked in the Victoria's Secret fashion show. Oh and then there was that whole Vogue Italia "is she photoshopped" "is she too skinny" "why did that image disappear" controversy?
Models.com Ranking: #3
Nyasha Matonhodze Agency: Marilyn
Nyasha Matonhodze was the unknown star of LOVE's promotional poster. Then came a LOVE cover and editorial, and Matonhodze's position as a new star was sealed. A favorite of Kate Grand, Matonhodze models for Giles lookbooks, and starred in Louis Vuitton's AW11 campaign.
Ads: AW11: Topshop, Louis Vuitton
Editorials: LOVE (2), Vogue, Dazed & Confused, i-D, Numéro (2), Russh, Vogue Japan, W, V (2)
Covers: LOVE
Models.com Ranking: #38
Arizona Muse Agency: NEXT
Arizona Muse went from Urban Outfitters catalog model to Vogue Paris cover girl in 2011. The young mom appeared in just about every major magazine and landed great campaigns for both fall and spring.
Ads: AW11: Rag & Bone, David Yurman, +J Uniqlo, Chloe, Alberta Ferretti, Jil Sander Navy, YSL Beauté SS11: YSL Beauté, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent
Editorials: Vogue (9), British Vogue (7), Vogue Paris (5), Vogue Italia (3), Dazed & Confused (4), Self Service (2), V (2), Vogue Russia (2), Numéro, Visionaire, LOVE, Vogue Spain, Vogue Germany, Vogue Korea, W
Covers: Vogue Paris, Vogue Australia, Self Service, Vogue Korea, Numéro, Dazed & Confused, Vogue Italia
Models.com Ranking: #7
Gisele Bündchen Agency: IMG
Gisele will never get old. The highest earning model in the world isn't a title you reach easily, so Bündchen's ascendance to the top of the top proves exactly how valuable she is. Gisele reentered the runways by closing Givenchy SS12, and 2012 is already proving to be another big year for her. She's already booked Givenchy, Versace, and Salvatore Ferragamo campaigns.
Ads: AW11: Esprit SS11: Isabel Marant, H&M
Editorials: Vogue, British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar Brazil, i-D, Vogue Australia, Vogue Brazil, V Spain, Elle Brazil, Numéro Tokyo, Vogue Paris, Vogue Portugal, Muse, Vogue Turkey, Vogue China, Vogue Japan, V
Covers: British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar Brazil, i-D, Vogue Australia, Vogue Brazil, V Spain, Elle Brazil, Numéro Tokyo, Vogue Paris, Vogue Portugal, Muse, Vogue Turkey, Vogue China, Vogue Japan
Notables:
Models.com Ranking: Icons: #1, Money Girls: #1, Sexiest: #2
Fei Fei Sun Agency: WOMEN
Not only did Fei Fei Sun book great advertisements for 2011 (including two fragrances), but she also appeared in the most important editions of Vogue, and gained street cred by starring on the cover of i-D.
Ads: AW11: Louis Vuitton, Barney's, Lane Crawford SS11: cK One, DKNY Be Delicious, DSquared
Editorials: V (5), Vogue China (5), Vogue (3), Vogue Italia (2), British Vogue, i-D, Interview, Vogue Paris, W
Covers: Elle China, i-D, Vogue China, Harper's Bazaar Malaysia, Harper's Bazaar Singapore, Vogue Japan
Models.com Ranking: #14
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Saskia De Brauw Agency: DNA
Saskia de Brauw's androgynous look and air of confidence instantly made her a favorite of Karl Lagerfeld, who used her in every Chanel show of 2011 and the brand's Resort 2011 ad campaign. Saskia's not a one-trick-pony, though--she landed great editorials that showed her range.
Ads: AW11: Chanel Resort, Zara, Eres, Barney's, Dsquared, Versace, Moncler SS11: Givenchy, Eres
Editorials: Dazed & Confused (2), i-D (2), Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia, Numéro, Elle Netherlands, V, Vogue, AnOther, British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar
Covers: Vogue Paris, Vogue Italia, Numéro, Elle Netherlands, V, i-D, Dazed & Confused
Models.com Ranking: #11
Aymeline Valade Agency: WOMEN
Instantly after the Alexander Wang SS11 show, everyone was wondering about Wang-exclusive Aymeline Valade. One year later, Aymeline has appeared in enough editorials to make your head spin.
Ads: AW11: Kenzo, Etro, Just Cavalli SS11: Alexander Wang
Editorials: V (3), Numéro (3), Vogue Italia (2), Vogue Gerany (2), Vogue Japan (2), Interview (2), W (2), Harper's Bazaar (2), Vogue, Dazed & Confused, Harper's Bazaar Spain, i-D, Russh, Self Service, The Journal, The Last Magazine, T, Vogue China, Zoo
Covers: Vogue Japan, Vogue Germany, Vogue Turkey, Harper's Bazaar Spain, Russh
Models.com Ranking: #20
Candice Swanepoel Agency: IMG
South African Candice Swanepoel became a household name in 2011. After inking that deal with Victoria's Secret, high fashion brands were quick to scoop up Swanepoel as well, proving her versatility.
Ads: AW11: Victoria's Secret, Ralph Lauren Big Pony, Rag & Bone, Tom Ford, Versace Fragrance, Versace Eyewear SS11: True Religion
Editorials: V (7), Vogue Italia (2), Vogue, Esquire, Esquire UK, Allure, GQ UK, Harper's Bazaar, Industrie, Interview, Vogue Brazil
Covers: Vogue Italia, Vogue Portugal, Vogue Brazil, Harper's Bazaar Russia, V, Marie Claire South Africa
Models.com Ranking: #18, Sexiest: #7
Andrej Pejic Agency: DNA
The new face of gender-bending, Andrej Pejic was everywhere in 2011, even Buckingham Palace! The gorgeous Australian created a special buzz when his cover of Dossier, which featured him shirtless, was censored by retailers because they thought Pejic was a woman. Oops.
Ads: AW11: Hema Lingerie SS11: Jean Paul Gaultier, Marc by Marc Jacobs
Editorials: Dossier, Out, Fiasco, Fiasco Homme, Schön!, PF, New York Magazine, Citizen K, L'officiel Ukraine, Zeit, Carbon Copy, 1883, 7th Man, Dazed & Confused, W, Numéro, LOVE, Lovecat, The Block, V, Vogue Australia, W
Covers: Dossier, Out, Fiasco, Fiasco Homme, Schön!, PF, New York Magazine, Citizen K, L'officiel Ukraine, Zeit, Carbon Copy
Notables: Chris Benz SS12 lookbook
Models.com Ranking: Men: #18
Julia Nobis Agency: FORD
Julia Nobis may not have the most covers, ads, or editorials, but her strong presence is felt every fashion week when she stomps her way down nearly every runway. She was the most booked runway model of SS12, with over 70 shows walked internationally during fashion month.
Ads: AW11: Balenciaga SS11: Proenza Schouler
Editorials: Vogue Australia (3), Interview (2), V (2), LOVE, Vogue Italia, W, Exit
Covers: Vogue Australia
Notables: Walked most SS12 fashion shows out of any model.
Models.com Ranking: N/A
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Agency: WOMEN
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is another Victoria's Secret Angel who made major news in 2011. Rosie replaced Megan Fox in Transformers: Dark of the Moon, which gave the public a new, sexy starlet to fawn over. Rosie walked the red carpets in the all best looks, and was made the face of Burberry Body fragrance where she wore nothing but a Burberry trench and her famous body. Not a bad year at all.
Ads: AW11: Burberry Body, Marks & Spencer
Editorials: British Vogue, Vogue Germany, Harper's Bazaar, Elle UK, GQ UK, Complex, Maxim, Maxim Australia
Covers: British Vogue, Vogue Germany, Harper's Bazaar, Elle UK, GQ UK, Vanity Fair
Notables: Starred in Transformers: Dark of the Moon
Models.com Ranking: Money Girls: #15, Sexiest: #13
Charlotte Free Agency: IMG
Charlotte Free is the latest hybrid It-girl/model/internet sensation to make it big. The pink haired starlet who is just as popular in Terry Richardson's studio as in Vogue, created major buzz in 2011 and will most likely keep gaining momentum in 2012.
Ads: AW11: Topshop Makeup, Pamela Love SS11: Uniqlo
Editorials: Wonderland, Vogue, British Vogue, Bullett, Dazed & Confused, Dossier, Interview, Jalouse, LOVE, T, V, V Man, Vogue Japan
Covers: Wonderland, French Revue des Modes
Models.com Ranking: N/A
Thylane Lena-Rose Blondeau
Thylane may be a child, by the American press had a field day with modeling shots of her posing topless or suggestively. Her mom responded quickly, but the damage was done. Thylane had sparked the "what's-appropriate-child-modeling" debate and there was no turning back.
Aside from the scandal, Thylane is really beautiful and there's probably a serious modeling career not far in her future.
Kelly Mittendorf Agency: Marilyn
The day Prada's AW11 ad hit the internet was madness. Google searches of "Kelly Mittendorf" definitely skyrocketed that day, since the entire fashion world was curious to find out more about this Arizonan beauty. Mittendorf is still young, and has a lot of room to grow in the industry, but with a look as unique as hers, she's always going to be the center of attention.
Ads: AW11: Prada
Editorials: Vogue Japan, Vogue Italia, V
Notables:
Models.com Ranking: N/A
