Canada’s Top Models Uncovered

By: Souzan Michael, FW Writer

Jessica Stam

Also known simply as “Stam”, this Canadian beauty was born in Kincardine, Ontario and raised on a farm with her six brothers. She was discovered in a Tim Hortons
coffee shop in Barrie by an agent from International Model Management, a local modeling agency. Stam won the Los Angeles Model Look Search in 2002 and soon after, photographer Steven Meisel cast her in all of his campaigns, jump-starting her career. Since then, she has appeared in advertisements for Marc Jacobs, Anna Sui, Gucci, Giorgio Armani, Vera Wang, Valentino, Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, Versace, Holt Renfrew, Dior, Lanvin, Roberto Cavalli, Prada, H&M and DKNY.

Daria Werbowy

Born in Poland, Daria moved to Mississauga, Ontario, when she was 3 years old. At the age of 14, she won a national modeling contest, but was unsatisfied
with her current agency. After switching to Elite Models, she was met with considerable success in Canada, but was still internationally unknown. When Elmer Olsen, Elite Canada’s head scout, started his own agency, Werbowy followed him and her career
flourished. Within a few years, and under the guidance of International Management Group (IMG), Daria experienced the success she wanted. She has worked with international powerhouses like Lancôme, David Yurman, Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Pepe Jeans, Gucci, Roberto Cavalli, Hermès, Valentino,
Missoni, Versace, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Daria also holds the record for opening and closing an astounding
twelve shows in 2005, the highest number held by any model in one season.

When we hear the term “top model”, we often think of international supermodels like Tyra Banks, Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Gisele Bu?ndchen. Canadian models can sometimes be overlooked, but that is all about to change. In fact, internationally-acclaimed model Linda Evangelista was raised in St. Catharines, Ontario and Chanel runway favourite Shalom Harlow was born and raised in Oshawa, Ontario. Over the years, they have become two of the most recognized faces in the fashion industry. Now, a new generation of Canadian models are taking the fashion world by storm. Here’s a look at Canada’s top models and how they got their start.

Coco Rocha

Coco Rocha was born in Toronto, but moved to Richmond, British Columbia at a young age. She was discovered at age 14 during an Irish dance competition.
In 2006, she walked the runway for Marc Jacobs and Anna Sui during New York Fashion Week, where supermodel Naomi Campbell claimed Rocha was her favourite new model. During Paris Fashion Week that same year, she walked for Stella McCartney, Christian Lacroix, and Emanuel Ungaro, and was chosen specifically by Marc Jacobs to open and close the Louis Vuitton show. Rocha is perhaps most well-known for Irish dancing down the runway for Jean-Paul Gaultier’s Fall/Winter 2007 show, which American Vogue called the “Coco Moment”.

Irina Lazareanu

Irina Lazareanu was born in Romania and moved to Saint-Hubert, Quebec at the age of 5. She moved to London, England at the age of 15 to study ballet, until a broken knee abruptly ended her dreams. There she met Pete Doherty and the two were briefly engaged. At age 17, Lazareanu attended an open call and signed with Giovanni Modeling Agency in Montreal. However, it wasn’t until she was chosen by Kate Moss to model for Vogue Paris that her career began. Since then, she has modelled for Chanel, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui, Lanvin, Versace, and many other top designers. In 2007, Kate Moss chose Irina to model for her Topshop clothing line.

Photos from
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