Catwalk Queens S/S '13

Between the Kimye appearances, the Oscar de la Renta/Cathy Horyn/Lady Gaga/Hedi Slimane cat fights, and designer musical chairs at Jil Sander, Saint Laurent and Dior, the spring/summer 2013 fashion shows were exciting, non?

But while the drama is plenty fun to watch, I prefer to keep a closer eye on the clothes, and the models who wear them.

This season, there were many (relatively) old faces, and some young new ones as well. Here's a run down of all the models who made the biggest splash this season. And the winners are...

Most Fashion Shows 

From left to right: Tilda Lindstam opening Antonio Berardi; closing Chloe; closing Blumarine

The busiest model of the season, Tilda Lindstam, walked a whopping 68 runways, including opening for Nicole Farhi, Antonio Berardi and Clements Ribeiro and closing for Chloe.

Most Opening and Closing Spots

Julia Nobis opening Saint Laurent; opening Narciso Rodriguez; closing Dries Van Noten

Julia Nobis booked 14 opening and closing spots for spring's fashion month, and she even skipped London Fashion Week. The Australian teenager nabbed opening spots at Saint Laurent, Roberto Cavalli, Derek Lam, Narciso Rodriguez, Vanessa Bruno and closing spots at Reed Krakoff, Vanessa Bruno, Dries Van Noten and Missoni. The blonde model also tied for most New York shows (23) adn Paris fashion shows (23 also). Not too shabby.

Queen of the Catwalk

Daria Strokous closing Prada; closing Donna Karan; opening Christian Dior

This award is not measured by the number of runways a model walked, but the overall quality of shows she walked in. Daria Strokous, the 22-year-old Russian stunner, easily takes this title for the season. The blonde beauty opened Christian Dior, one of the most talked about shows of the season, Lanvin, Alberta Ferretti, and Y-3, and nabbed the closing spots in Prada, Elie Saab, Giambattista Valli, Donna Karan, Alberta Ferretti and Y-3. 

New York Fashion Week MVP

Karlie Kloss opening Donna Karan; closing Michael Kors; closing Carolina Herrera

My girl Karlie Kloss only walked nine NYFW shows, but opened or closed seven of them, including Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera.

London Fashion Week MVP

Marie Piovesan opening Giles; closing Sass & Bide; closing Jonathan Saunders

Relative newcomer Marie Piovesan opened or closed an impressive ten shows this season and had an especially strong showing in London. The French model opened both Giles and Daks and closed Jonathan Saunders, Preen and Sass & Bide.

Milan Fashion Week MVP

Karmen Pedaru opening and closing Salvatore Ferragamo; closing Bottega Veneta

Veteran supermodel Karmen Pedaru had the most opening or closing spots at MFW this year (4). The gorgeous Estonian opened and closed for Salvatore Ferragamo and closed for Bottega Veneta.

Paris Fashion Week MVP

Kel Markey opening Mugler; closing Maison Martin Marigela; closing Kenzo

Rookie model Kel Markey walked an incredible 23 shows during PFW, and boasted the most opening and closing spots of the week (6). The 21-year-old Florida native opened for Dries Van Noten, Mugler,  Margiela, and closed Margiela and Kenzo, among others. Pretty impressive considering it's only her second season.

Best Veteran Model

Joan Smalls closing Derek Lam; closing Fendi; closing Emilio Pucci

Puerto Rican supermodel Joan Smalls opened for both Stella McCartney and Prabal Gurung and closed Fendi, Pucci, and Derek Lam. And if you haven't seen her co-hosting MTV's House of Style yet with Karlie Kloss, run, don't walk to MTV. Right now.

Best Comeback

Carolyn Murphy opening Jason Wu; closing Marchesa 

Estee Lauder spokesmodel Carolyn Murphy came out of runway retirement to open Jason Wu and close Marchesa this season, and she looked quite smashing doing so.

Top 5 Models To Watch

Nastya Kusakina closing Vera Wang; opening Ann Demeulemeester; closing Prabal Gurung

Nastya Kusakina only debuted last season, but already the ethereal Russian beauty has made a big name for herself, opening Louis Vuitton, Ann Demeulemeester and Vera Wang, and closing Prabal Gurung and Vera Wang.

Vanessa Axente opening Alexander McQueen; closing Victoria Beckham; closing Proenza Schouler

After an equally strong fall/winter 2012 season, Vanessa Axente has shown she's not slowing down anytime soon. Snagging the coveted opening spot at Alexander McQueen proves she has true staying power.

Ava Smith opening Tommy Hilfiger; closing Iceberg; closing Belstaff

Second only to Tilda Lindstam, classic beauty Ava Smith walked an incredible 64 runways, and booked the most Milan shows of any other model.

Maartje Verhoef opening Prada

Prada booked 15-year-old Maartje Verhoef as a worldwide exclusive this season, and the Dutch beauty made her modeling debut opening the show.  Previously, supermodels like Daria Werbowy, Sasha Pivovarova and Lindsey Wixson have booked worldwide exclusives with Prada, so the future looks promising for Verhoef.

Ruby Jean Wilson opening and closing Marc Jacobs; and opening Louis Vuitton with Nastya Kusakina

Marc Jacobs selected Ruby Jean Wilson to open and close his namesake collection, and to open Louis Vuitton. If Marc Jacobs is obsessed with Edie Sedgwick doppelganger, the whole world will soon be as well.

Models strip to their skivvies for Love Magazine

One of my favorite fashion magazines, Love, did a cute calendar countdown to Christmas on its website. Each day in December features a different model doing a Christmas-themed striptease. While it is obviously sexy to watch models stripping down to their skivvies, I like that most of the girls do funny little quirky things and aren't taking themselves too seriously.

A bevvy of Victoria's Secret beauties star in the stripteases - like Doutzen Kroes, Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel and Karlie Kloss. Check out their videos below. Is it just me, or are the VS girls getting super skinny? I can't believe Doutzen and Alessandra have had kids! I need to get hooked up with their trainer.

Two of my other favorites are videos from Daisy Lowe (Day 16) and Abbey Clancey, (Day 19) who are both traditionally men's magazine models and a little bit curvier than the other girls (although they are still both ridiculously skinny).

And out of all 22 videos, only one is of a hot male model, the six pack abs-endowed Oliver Cheshire, (Day 18) who dances around in a Santa beard and not much else. You're welcome.

Happy early Christmas!

NSFW: Karlie Kloss Vogue Italia photos and video

I know I'm extremely late posting these Vogue Italia pictures, but I love them so much I just had to jump on the bandwagon. How ripped is Karlie Kloss? She is clearly not one of the models who stays skinny with a combo of drugs and anorexia. Girlfriend works OUT.

I was one of the naysayers who thought the whole photoshoot was photoshopped to death, but the video (see below) proves that Karlie is as toned as the pictures imply. Love love love.

To see how Karlie's photos inspired me during Christmas cookie season check out my health blog Indy Slim.

Abbey Lee rocks out the new Versace commercial

I'm full-blown obsessed with Abbey Lee Kershaw.  In addition to her awesome white blonde hair and rock chick persona, I can now add this new Yellow Diamond for Versace video to the list of reasons why I want to be her. Shot by Mario Testino, it's a super glam commercial for the new frangrance.

Also, have you seen her H&M commercial? Not the Versace one, the one where she's dancing around? I was going to post that too, but I can't find it anywhere. Let me know if you know where to find it!

Girl Crush! Natalia Vodianova

Natalia Vodianova's first cover of American Vogue with models Daria Werbowy (left) and Gisele Bundchen (right). September 2004. Photo by Steven Meisel.

I remember when gorgeous Russian model  Natalia Vodianove debuted in the modeling world. Doe-eyed and innocent, she looked like a sweet little Precious Moments doll. I think the pivotal moment of her career was in 2004, when she shared her first American Vogue cover with Daria Werbowy and Gisele.   The photo, by Steven Meisel, was stunning and the makeup, by Pat McGrath was luminous and breathtaking. My best friend and I obsessed over that cover in high school. Daria was always my favorite and Natalia was hers. 

Photo by Paolo Roversi

Vodianova is a perfect archetype of a real-life Cinderella. Before her modeling career took off, the teenager used to sell fruit on the street with her single mother in Russia. Determined to leave the life of poverty behind her, the 15-year-old enrolled in a modeling academy, learned English in three months, and signed with Viva models in Paris two years later.

Louis Vuitton Spring/Summer 2008 ad campaign. Photo by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

Since then, Vodianova became one of the most sought-after models in the world, founded a successful charity for poor Russian children, and married a billionaire British property heir.

Above: In American Vogue. July 2007. Photo by Mario Testino

It's been fun to watch Vodianova's transformation from Bambi-like runway model to sex kitten editorial powerhouse and budding actress. Her famous blue eyes killed (literally) as Medusa in Clash of the Titans, and she also stars in the upcoming flick Belle de Signeur. The world class philanthropist and society darling is a front row fixture at all the best fashion shows and counts some of the biggest celebs as her nearest and dearest friends. And despite all of her extra endeavors, her modeling career is still on fire: the supermodel has current contracts with Etam, Calvin Klein, Guerlain, Stella McCartney and Givenchy.



Etam Lingerie. Spring/Summer 2010

In High Fashion magazine. August 2000.

Chanel Beauty Spring 2008 ad campaign.

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2010 ad campaign with Christy Turlington (right) and Karen Elson (middle). Photo by Steven Meisel.

On the cover of Love Magazine Spring/Summer 2010. Photo by Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott

On the cover of Vogue Korea.  Photo by Steven Meisel.

With models Amber Valetta (left) and Linda Evangelista (right)

At the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year party in 2010

On the cover of Vogue Russia. March 2008. Photo by Steven Meisel.

February 23, 2010. Hosting the Love Ball London for her charity, 

The Naked Heart Foundation.

Above: On the cover of British Vogue. June 2009. Photo by Mario Testino.

At Vogue Paris' 90th Anniversary Masquerade Ball, September 30, 2010.
 

As Marisa Berenson in "The Great Pretender" editorial in American Vogue. May 2009. Photo by Steven Meisel.

Above: Calvin Klein Euphoria Fall/Winter 2009 ad campaign. Photo by Steven Meisel.

Above: In "Dream Girl" editorial. Vogue China. May 2010. Photo by Patrick Demarchelier.

Front row with Vogue editor Anna Wintour at 

Christopher Kane's Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show.

On the cover of Vogue Italia. April 2008. Photo by Steven Meisel.

Supermodels Are Dead Part II: Introducing the Catwalk Queens you've never heard of

 So you remember the "Big Six?" That was Claudia, Naomi, Linda, Cindy, Christy and Kate. THE supermodels of the '90s. The only models that mattered.

Well, the fashion world is a lot different now. Sure, most of the same girls dominate the mags, the catwalks and the campaigns, but there are a lot MORE of them. I featured a bevy of model beauties back in August, but I'm coming back for round two, because I know you all want to see more of these magnificent, long limbed creatures.

Fashion's Sexiest: 

Joan Smalls (b. July 11, 1988)

Backstage at Gucci

In Vogue Italia. April 2010. By Steven Meisel

Height: 5'10.5"
Measurements: 32.5B-24-34
Hometown: Puerto Rico

Modeling Agency: IMG

Breakthrough moment: In January 2010, Smalls was featured as the exclusive model for Givenchy's S/S 2010 Couture Show in Paris.

Campaigns: S/S '11: Roberto Cavalli, Gucci, Estée Lauder, Stella McCartney.  F/W '10: Gap, Givenchy, Gucci.  2008: Ports 1961

What's special about her: American Vogue is borderline obsessed with this beauty, and rightfully so. She starred in a whopping EIGHT editorials from June 2010 to March 2011, plus André Leon Talley waxed poetically in an article about her, naming her "this generation's China Machado." Her fabulous strut and arresting beauty earns her the sexy award on this list.

2011 MVM (Most Valuable Model)

Arizona Muse (b. September 18, 1990)

The face of the Yves Saint Laurent Spring 2011 campaign.

In Vogue Spain. March 2011. By Lachlan Bailey.

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 32-24-34
Hometown: Santa Fe, New Mexico

Modeling Agency: Next

Breakthrough moment: Muse opened and closed spring 2011 BCBG Max Azria, Miu Miu and Prada shows; opens for Rochas and Kenzo, and walks for Marc Jacobs, Herve Leger, Narciso Rodriguez, and Proenza Schouler.

Campaigns: S/S '11: Prada, YSL. 

What's special about her: What's not special about her? She's snagged 11 editorials, including three covers so far in 2011, was essentially declared the next Linda Evangelista by Anna Wintour herself, picked up 16 opening or closing runway spots during the F/W 2011 season, all while raising the cutest baby boy, Nikko, who modeled alongside mommy in a Vogue editorial. The Cut declared her Fall 2011's top model, but I'm going to go out on a limb and say she's the MVM of the year. 

She's also my favorite new model since Karlie Kloss. I can't get over her perfect eyebrows, hair and face. Muse has a look that's so modern and fresh, but also reminiscent of a Fitzgerald-era flapper.

Most Unique Beauty

Daphne Groeneveld (b. December 24, 1995)

Backstage at the S/S 2011 Calvin Klein show, who Daphne opened for and modeled for exclusively in NYC

On the cover of Vogue Paris Dec/Jan issue with Tom Ford

Height: 5'10.5"
Measurements: 31-24-35
Hometown: Leiderdorp, Olanda (Netherlands).

Modeling Agency: Supreme

Breakthrough moment: In early 2010, Groeneveld was chosen to be a face of Miu Miu alongside Siri Tollerod, Ginta Lapina and Lindsey Wixson.

Campaigns: S/S '11: Givenchy.  F/W '10: Miu Miu, Isola Marras.

What's special about her: Daphne snagged the Dec/Jan cover of Vogue Paris alongside Tom Ford, who guest edited the mag. The shocking issue featured little girls eerily dressed up in couture amongst other risque features, and is the rumored reason behind editor Carine Roitfeld's alleged firing.  

The Cut also ranked her #2 Model for the F/W 2011 season.

Newest Standard of Beauty

Fei Fei Sun (b. 1989) (Anyone know the exact day?)

In Vogue China. March 2011. By Raymond Meier.

In V Magazine. May 2010. By Cuneyt Akeroglu.

Height: 5'10.5"
Measurements: 31-24-35
Hometown: HeBei, China

Modeling Agency: Women

Breakthrough moment: In Dec 2009, Karl Lagerfeld handpicked the Chinese beauty to walk in Chanel's 2010 Pre-fall collection in Shanghai.

Campaigns: S/S '11: cK One, Dsquared2. F/W '10: H&M. S/S '10: Shanghai Tang.

What's special about her: Fei Fei got her start when she represented China for the Elite Model Look competition in 2008. She didn't win, but her modeling career took off. With the luxury boom in China comes the increasing demand for Chinese models in the fashion world, and Fei Fei is one of the new leaders of the pack.

Most Really Really Ridiculously
Good-Looking

Karmen Pedaru (b. May 10, 1990)

Backstage at D&G. September 2010.

In Vogue UK. August 2010. By Daniel Jackson.

In Harper's Bazaar. September 2009. By Greg Kadel.

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 32-24-34
Hometown: Kehra, Estonia

Modeling Agency: Ford

Breakthrough moment: Pedaru's career started in 2006 when she debuted at the Christopher Kane show, but it really took off when she opened for Burberry's F/W 2010 show in Feb 2009.

Campaigns: S/S '11: Gucci, Gap, Michael Kors. F/W '10: Fendi Fan di Fendi Fragrance, Gap, Ralph Lauren, Lança Perfume, Emporio Armani, Salvatore Ferragamo. S/S '10: Costume National, Jill Stuart Fragrance, Nicole Farhi. F/W '09: Jill Stuart Beauty, Jill Stuart, Gucci Eyewear, Derek Lam. S/S '09: M Missoni, D&G Cruise. F/W '08: New Man, Y-3.

What's special about her: Holy bone structure, this woman is gorgeous! Pedaru's stunning face has made her a favorite for ad campaigns, as you can see above. Her eyes are mesmerizing, her nose is perfect, and those cheekbones... I'm slightly obsessed with her, as you can see. 

Fun fact: Before modeling, Pedaru played goalkeeper for Estonia's national soccer team.

The Cut also ranked her #3 Model for the F/W 2011 season.

Best Post-Baby Comeback

Jourdan Dunn (b. August 3, 1990)

The face of the S/S 2011 Burberry Ad Campaign.

The face of the S/S 2011 YSL Beauty Campaign.

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 32-23-34
Hometown: London, England

Modeling Agency: Women

Breakthrough moment: In Feb 2008, Dunn became the first black model to walk for Prada in 10 years. That same year, the British Fashion Council voted her Model of the Year.

Campaigns: S/S '11: YSL Beauty, Burberry. F/W '10: YSL La Nuit de l'Homme Fragrance. F/W '09: cK Calvin Klein. S/S '09: YSL La Nuit de l'Homme Fragrance, Benetton, Topshop. F/W '08: Benetton, Gap, Topshop.

What's special about her: After giving birth to son Riley in December 2009, Dunn immediately got back in the modeling game. She appeared in the Victoria Secret catalog in the summer of 2010, booked 32 runway shows the F/W '11 season, including opening and closing for Burberry and opening for Zac Posen, and she's appeared in every American Vogue since September.

The Cut also ranked her #9 Model for the F/W 2011 season. 

Most Talked About

Lea T (b. 1981)

In Vogue Paris. September 2010. By Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

 On the cover of Love magazine with Kate Moss. Feb 2011. By Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott.

Height: 5'11"
Measurements: 34-25-36
Hometown: Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Modeling Agency: Women

Breakthrough moment: In July 2010, Riccardo Tisci's chose his assistant, Lea T, to be one of the faces of Givenchy.

Campaigns: F/W '10: Givenchy.

What's special about her: Lea T. is one of the first (if not the first) transsexual supermodels. In August 2010, appeared nude in Vogue Paris pre gender reassignment surgery. In February, she went on Oprah to discuss the challenges of being born a man, and also made out with Kate Moss on the cover of Love magazine's 'Androgyny' issue.

Trendiest New Model Look: 

Strong eyebrows, dark hair, light eyes, button noses and pillowy lips.

Bambi, Barbara and Samantha

The next three models have a remarkably similar look. Definitely a hot new model trend! 

Bambi Northwood-Blyth (b. 1991)

S/S '11 Jen Kao

Height: 5'7"

Measurements: 31A-24-34
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia

Modeling Agency: Elite

Breakthrough moment: The 20-year-old debuted at the Jen Kao, walked for rag & bone and closed for Diesel during the NYC S/S 2011 collections. After meeting Katie Grand of Love magazine in London, the editor/stylist booked her for Giles, Loewe, Topshop Unique and Emanuel Ungaro in Paris. She also walked in Balenciaga, Kenzo and Chanel, rounding out a fabulous first season for the new model.

Campaigns: S/S '10: cK One, Ksubi eyewear.

What's special about her: Bambi's real name is Stephanie. The diminutive model has been dating 32-year-old Ksubi founder Dan Single. The two are rumored to be engaged. 

Barbara Palvin (b. October 8, 1993)

Russian Vogue. November 2010.

In a W editorial. August 2010.

Height: 5'8.5"
Measurements: 33A-23-35
Hometown: Budapest, Hungary

Modeling Agency: IMG

Breakthrough moment: In Feb 2010, Palvin debuts at the fall Prada show in Milan as an exclusive. In Paris she walked for Giles, Miu Miu Louis Vuitton and Pedro Lourenco. She has also appeared in editorials for French, German, Russian, and Spanish Vogue, Vogue UK, Harper's Bazaar, and W.

Campaigns: S/S '11: Chanel Beauty. S/S '10: Isola Marras.

What's special about her: Palvin was discovered when she was only thirteen years old. The girl has old Hollywood good looks and kinda looks like a baby Natalia Vodianova, don't you think? Still relatively new to the modeling biz, the gorgeous Hungarian has a bright future ahead of her, including plans to model for the Victoria Secret PINK line.

Samantha Gradoville (b. January 1, 1990)

Harper's Bazaar. October 2010. By Camilla Akrans.

 Pop magazine, Spring/Summer 2011. By Sean and Seng.

Height: 5'10.5"
Measurements: 34C-24-34
Hometown: Omaha, Nebraska

Modeling Agency: IMG

Breakthrough moment: In Feb 2010, Gradoville opened and closed the fall Prada show, making her one of the most talked about breakout models.

Campaigns: S/S '11: Sportmax, cK One. F/W '10: Jill Stuart, cK One Underwear.

What's special about her: Her sick body. Gradoville has the most luscious curves in high fashion since Lara Stone. It gives her a fantastic upper hand over other models when photographers need a bodacious woman in their campaigns or editorials.

Fastest Rise to the Top

Lindsey Wixson (b. April 11, 1994)

The face of Alexander McQueen S/S '11 Campaign

Height: 5'10"
Measurements: 32-23-33
Hometown: Wichita, Kansas

Modeling Agency: Marilyn

Breakthrough moment: In September 2009, Miuccia Prada took Wixson under wing, and a supermodel was born. She opened the spring Prada show as an exclusive in Milan, and closed Miu Miu as an exclusive in Paris.

Campaigns: S/S '11: Barneys NY, Alexander McQueen, Mulberry, Jill Stuart, Jill Stuart Beauty. F/W '10: Versace Vanitas Fragrance, Barney's, Galliano by John Galliano, Jill Stuart Beauty, Miu Miu. S/S '10: Miu Miu.

What's special about her: After becoming the young face of Miu Miu in 2010, Wixson booked an impressive twenty magazine editorials last year alone. Her huge pout, gap teeth and cleft chin have caught the attention of the fashion world, indeed.

Most Successful Crossover Model

Candice Swanepoel (b. October 20, 1988)

Vogue Italia. February 2011. By Steven Meisel.

F/W 2011 Dolce & Gabbana.

Height: 5'9.5"
Measurements: 32-23-33
Hometown: Mooi River, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Modeling Agency: IMG

Breakthrough moment: After two years of modeling, the blonde bombshell was chosen to walk in the Victoria Secret fashion show in November 2007, followed by a contract with Guess swimwear in early 2008.

Campaigns: S/S '11: True Religion. 2010: Victoria Secret.

What's special about her: This Victoria Secret Angel ruled the high fashion runways for F/W 2011, walking for Stella McCartney, Givenchy, Elie Saab, Viktor & Rolf, Christian Dior, Isabel Marant, Dolce & Gabbana, Blumarine and Fendi. She also recently modeled for Vogue Paris and Vogue Italia. We haven't seen this kind of high fashion to mainstream to high fashion crossover since Gisele!

Most Exciting New Face

Charlotte Free (b. 1992)

In Interview Magazine. March 2011. By Craig McDean.

Backstage at Jeremy Scott F/W '11 

Height: 5'7"
Measurements: 31-24-33
Hometown: Los Angeles

Modeling Agency: IMG

Breakthrough moment: After being discovered in an arcade in LA, she managed to book two high-profile editorials her first day in New York in December. You might have seen the petite pink-haired cutie in VMan's February issue or Interview's March issue. She also had an impressive debut F/W '11 season, walking in Manish Arora, Charlotte Ronson, Moncler, Limi Feu, United Bamboo, House of Holland, Topshop Unique, Richard Chai, and opening for Vivienne Westwood and Jeremy Scott (perfect fit, right?).

Campaigns: none yet, but she's a brand newbie.

What's special about her: Her pink hair, of course! “I was really unhappy, so I dyed my hair," she told style.com. "And then I wasn’t sad anymore."

Now it's YOUR turn. Who's your favorite model of the moment?