Karolina Kurkova covers the latest issue of The Edit, and she has some strong opinions about the current crop of young models. Karolina is 31 years old and she’s been modeling for 16 years. She came up in the late 90s/early 00s, before girls could just take heavily filtered selfies, post those selfies on social media and call themselves models. And that bugs Karolina. If I’m being honest, I was never much of a Karolina fan, although I would take Karolina any day over the Kendalls, Caras and Gigis. There is something to be said for the inaccessible model, the model who didn’t need to post on social media to get work. Which is Karolina’s point. Some highlights from her Edit profile:
Modeling in her 30s: “I’ve been modeling for 16 years. I’m amazed I’m still around; we live in such a fast-paced world and get over everything so quickly. I don’t allow myself to compete with the new girls – what good is thinking like that? When you’re older, you’re more confident and comfortable. And there’s something to be said for being seasoned, rather than being very new and raw and not knowing what you’re doing.”
The perils of the Insta-models: “When I started modeling there was no social media, I didn’t come from a rich family and I didn’t date anyone famous – my work spoke for me. I’m glad, because I learned discipline, dedication and patience, and it kept me grounded. Now you can be famous so easily and it’s dangerous, it can mess with your head. People are coming from left and right with two million followers and, whether they say they’re a model or a stylist, they’ve never trained, never worked with anybody, never sacrificed anything. They’re taking work from people who gave up their time and energy to learn their craft. I’m not judging, but who’s going to have the longevity? You might be cool right now, but how long will it last? Are people going to get tired of you?”
Don’t call her a supermodel: “It doesn’t really mean anything. It’s a strange word. I prefer it when people say I’m cool, or that I’m a hard worker, or I’m nice. Those are bigger compliments than saying I’m a supermodel. It’s just a title.”
The full interview is interesting – I didn’t realize she just gave birth to her second child last November. And she’s already back at work and back to posing in her underwear! Crazy. As for what she says about the current generation of Insta-models… I get it. And I agree with her for the most part. Many of these younger girls get their “break” from being well-connected already, then build on that with social media. It’s crazy to me that Kendall Jenner is one of the most-followed people on social media, just because… to me, she’s bland as hell. It’s also crazy that Cara Delevingne is a thing because she doesn’t photograph well and she doesn’t even seem like a pleasant person.
But Karolina seems to be in denial about some stuff: there is a genuine thirst for “relatable” models, models who engage with their fans on social media, models who show people what it’s like behind the image. And these Insta-models are making bank. Karolina probably wishes she could make six-figures for an Instagram or tweet.
Photos courtesy of The Edit, WENN.
Am I the only one who thinks that Kendall actually has the capability to take a really beautiful photograph? I’ve legitimately been impressed with some of her Estee Lauder shots. Anyone else? Anyone? Bueller? Ok, I’ll show myself out.
Your not the only one. She has something.
Kendall is very beautiful, she doesn’t have an “uniqueness”, but she does look good in pictures and that’s what her job is about at the end of the day.
I think Kendall is good for the runway, but she photographs terribly. Dead eyed and bland. Cara, on the other hand, is too short for the runway, but she photographs amazingly. Of all the new nepotism models, she’s the best. If only she would stop acting because she’s awful at that.
And can we really call modelling a craft? I would be fine if none of them became famous. The social media models of today or the supermodels of yeasterday, I don’t care for them. Pay them for their work, sure, but give them interviews and superstardom? No.
I think Kendall is generic plain pretty without make up and with different make up a generic beauty.
Kurkova has an interesting, attractive face without make up and with make up she could be anyone.
Kendall definitely could have been a successful model even if she wasn’t a Kardashian. She does have the “it” factor IMO.
BTW – I agree with Kurkova in that many of these insta-models don’t deserve their fashion status but please, what model is that successful after 30. Longevity isn’t a realistic goal for 99% of fashion models.
I think Kendall is absolutely beautiful in that fresh young girl next door kind of way. She’s like a young Janice Dickinson or Phoebe Cates. She’s got a healthy exuberant youthful look to her that refreshing. Not sickly thin or strung out looking.
She looks like a young Kris Jenner.
No you’re not alone. I think she’s got an intriguing face and the camera loves her.
*off to take 30 showers for saying something nice about a Kardashian. Blech.
I think Kendall is genuinely pretty and deserves to be a model. I’ve thought that since she was little that they needed to get her into modeling. Is she the best one out there? No, but she is pretty and fits the runway ‘mold’ for lack of a better word. She definitely got to walk in coveted shows she probably would not have been able to without her family name. I do get irritated seeing celebrities and singers on the covers of fashion magazines when there are professional models out there.
I am kind of sad that this is happening.
These “new crop” of instagram models and twitterers, are many of them benefiting from the visibility of their parents/families, even their friends. Without them, none would give them a second look.
Nepotism at its best. What can an aspiring model who does not have these connections?
BEfore, it would be that these relatives and offspring of others, could get a job , if they were up to it, and responsible, and talented, they’d make it. But right now? Having a famous name, uploading filtered and photoshopped pics, twittering/instagramming all day makes you rich and famous without really working for it.
It is sad, and it gives those aspiring models with less opportunities, they are “no one”, they do not belong to the “cool”, “it” world.
Celebrities substituted models first, and now reality celebs and the offspring of famous people are “supermodels”.
At least beauty bloggers are still getting attention, even if not big contracts.
I get what she’s saying. She not saying as a model you can’t be on social media but the models that are basically the IT girls are ones because they post filter pictures. There are no Karolinas, Imans, Christies that are up and coming and that went door to door at modeling agencies until they broke through. Instead we get the reality stars that are the new models…who have the right friends and bfs. and they have ZERO presence for runway or ads. So boring
“When I started modeling there was no social media, I didn’t come from a rich family and I didn’t date anyone famous” That’s definitely 90% of the models that are walking the runways now. All of them have rich families, a famous sister/brother/dad/mom, “squads”,dated someone famous, etc. None of them struggle to get where they are, & most of their work is so bland compare to the 90’s models. Kendall & Cara have dead eyes in all of their pictures not saying there not pretty but they have no other face expressions.
I actually agree with everything she says. But I don’t follow any Instagram celebs, don’t give a damn who endorses what or tweets this and that… I do miss seeing interesting faces that were all about the fashion and not vice-versa. Can’t stand any of these current models who seem to get all the work based on their family connections. Yes, nepotism always happens. But when nepotism is ALL that happens… It is a problem, whether it is modeling, acting or something else.
There is a difference though between the models who do work, like her, that are present on social media versa the girl at home taking thousands of selfies just to find the right one then slap the word “model” on to the photo.
Forget this horsey faced lady Gimme ALL THOSE SHOES CLOSE UPS!!! ESPECIALLY everything on the second pic!
She is not cute or pretty, but has a very attractive, mean beautiful face and shape.
Beautiful long lithe body but this lady’s face isn’t all that pleasant. I agree the shoes are wonderful.
I don’t agree with her entirely but I must say I meet her during Fashion Week in NYC years ago. She is stunning in person and so gracious. She actually put her purse on the ground to take pics with fans. She is lovely.
Sour grapes much? I understand her gripe against rich girls becoming models, but come on. Rich girls have always played at being models! Edie Sedgwick being the first one.
More often than not, many of the most famous top models came from a humble or middle-class background, not a fabulously wealthy one: Cindy Crawford, Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, Christy Turlington, Helena Christensen, Stephanie Seymour, Kate Moss, Gisele Bundchen, Paulina Porizkova, Cheryl Tiegs, Lauren Hutton, Twiggy, Jean Shrimpton, Suzy Parker, etc.
They all hustled and worked hard to reach that level of success. No rich connections to smooth the way. Edie Sedgwick, like Christie Brinkley, was in the minority of “models who were famous because they were also socialites”.
Karolina is right. She knows the industry. It’s not sour grapes. Today, it’s all about social media rather than paying your dues with hard work. Because of that, it’s easier to be famous now, but fame is even cheaper and thus, a lot more disposable. Easy come, easy go.
Models like Kendall, Gigi, and Cara are easily replaced. Doubt they will still be working past their 30s or be fondly remembered, unlike many of the 90s supermodels. Heck, even Lauren Hutton occasionally models and she’s 72. Carmen Dell’Orefice still works and she’s 84. Insta-models won’t have that longevity because for many of them it’s about the fame and attention, not the work. “Look at me me me…”
Kendall is a pretty young woman, but she has neither the charismatic personality nor the versatility needed to be a truly long-lasting model. She always give the same dead expression in her photos.
Stella Alpina, you nailed it!
I think she’s criticising models who get hired for their Instagram followers rather than models who use social media to connect with their fans. Kendall, Gigi and company all came up from reality shows plus their families have connections in the industry therefore they mostly get hired for campaigns because of their Instagram
I can see why a model who worked her ass off is upset by the notion that Gigi who’s beautiful but can’t walk a runway to save her life, books all the shows. I know rationally that brands hire what sells and market teens but still… it’s bothering, and I’m not even a model lol.
I understand her POV and I actually like her, she’s tall and has strong features. And I came to like her on “The Face”. Man, she couldn’t deal with Naomi’s crazy hunger for victory! But she handled it well and was fierce!
Anyway I understand what she means.. Now they are the “IT” girls, but in 5 years, there will be another set. Will they be working at 45 like Naomi?
I do not think so, they are exchangeable.
She has a point, but then again, we’re talking about being a model, not being a doctor, lawyer, or politician. I do see modeling as a career, just not a really important one. So the nepotism and rich girl on instagram connections aren’t really a problem to me.
I don’t see how she’s in denial of the “thirst” for this so called relatable models. She acknowledges that some of them have millions of followers. She knows it’s there , she just wonders if it’s enough to build a career.
And after a quick glance at all the contracts she signed and all the brands she endorsed, I’m not so sure she yearns that much for money from a tweet. Guess what, she made bank too.
People can get tired of “supermodels” too dear.
It is just modelling. No one is handing them nuclear launch codes. Chill.
Personally, I think she was part of the last generation of supermodels, the one that started modelling around 2000’s, like Alessandra, Adriana, Doutzen, Petra, Selita, Daria, Giselle, Natasha, Isabelli, Bianca, etc.,
They were awesome in editorials, a “range of faces” and killer skills on the catwalk.
I’m not into fashion anymore but from the catwalks I’ve seen recently, a lot of the models walked terribly, Kendall was a pleasant surprise. Gigi seems great on editorials but has a terrible walk.
Karolina and Gisele were always working together doing fashion shows and editorials between 1997-2003.
Gisele became a household name and brand while Karolina is doing what she always did.
i think Kendell and GiGi are both beautiful girls, but do i believe if it wasn’t for the accomplishments of others they would be as famous. No.
Kendell along with the whole Kardashian clan are nothing but pretty women, but thats all.
but hey…they doing well and understand how some people feel when childern of the rich and famous have things easier.
sadly that is just how it works.
I wonder if there’s really any it factor about models in general or we’re just conditioned to see it, since history has proved how easy it is to manipulate the masses.
Saw her getting on the subway. She is so beautiful l and I completely agree with her.
Agree with her too 100%. And yes she’s stunning!!