Fashion Profile, Coco Rocha

Born September 10th 1988, in Toronto, this Canadian supermodel has rocked the runways from Paris to Berlin (pardon the pun) since her very introduction. Her discovery at age 14 was down to her main talent outside modelling, Irish dancing. Her career as a model really kicked into gear at the beginning of 2006, through a meeting with the esteemed photographer Steven Meisel. Handfuls of runway shows, magazine covers and even a friendly encounter with Naomi Campbell soon followed. However, it was in 2007 when whispers of the word 'supermodel' were used to describe Rocha. Her Irish flicks down the Jean-Paul Gaultier catwalk in February 2007 certainly got American Vogue talking, and she was then featured two months later on the front cover of their May issue as part of the 'Terrific Ten' consisting of her, Jessica Stam, Raquel Zimmermann, Agyness Deyn, Caroline Trentini, Doutzen Kroes, Hilary Rhoda, Lily Donaldson, Chanel Iman and Sasha Pivovarova. Her impish face is instantly recognisable, probably a reason why she has bagged so many ad campaigns and magazine covers, including ones for Balenciaga's metallic trousers and Chanel's 'Amy Winehouse' themed summer of 2008, plus the famous 'Elle' advert for YSL. However, despite the many things she has going for her (she is RT's model of the moment), she isn't earning the big bucks nor the household position she deserves. Perhaps this is because she has never modelled for any of the big three: Victoria's Secret, Estee Lauder or L'Oreal, a distinction only to be shared with Deyn, Iman, Donaldson and Pivovarova from that illustrious cover. Rocha however does a fantastic job representing the new supermodels as proven earlier this year when she defiantly went up and spoke out against eating disorders to the CDFA, with lauded members like US Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and the CDFA president, Diane von Furstenberg. Her words hit home to many, particularly her description of a day in the life of a model. Many models, such as Natalia Vodianova and Ali Michael have also spoekn out, but have been openly (and shockingly, we think) criticized for trying to reboot their careers. Not so with Miss Rocha. Her looks definitely give her a place amongst the supermodel rank, but her attitude is something quite different. The old supermodels were renowned for being renegades, and still are, whereas Rocha seems more soft-spoken and spotlight-shy. However, with the launch of her own blog named 'Oh So Coco', the unveiling of her very own Rootstein mannequin at the end of this year and RT crowning her our 'Model of the Year', 2009 could spell big things for Rocha, and we very much hope it will.