Fresh Faced: Nadya Konstantinova

Remember that really cheesy song from They Might Be Giants? The one where Istanbul is no longer Constantinople? That's pretty much the only thing I can hear in my head when I read Nadya Konstantinova's last name to myself. Randomness aside, Nadya is the latest testament to the success of Eskimo models and their global scouting concept (think Heloise Guerin and Daria Bichevina). Nadya is quite an unusual model in so much that her intense features are in perfect balance with her youthful demeanor; creating a very strong and yet playful aesthetic.


(all images courtesy of Eskimo Models)

Sure, her digitals may not be the most inspired in the world, but the sheer potential of a girl as unique as Nadya is undeniable. Something about her square face, heavy (almost savage) brow line, and sullen stare makes this 17 year old Russian instantly memorable in my eyes.



Nadya is 5'9" and has a set of 31.5-23-33.5 measurements, which should make her a candidate for the runway sometime in the future. Here's hoping that Nadya is in New York and ready come September. I for one certainly wouldn't mind watching Nadya and fellow Eskimo model (and former Jil Sander exclusive, mind you) Daria Bichevina rack up some runway mileage come S/S 09.

Fresh Faced: Liza Serpova

You know what I adore most about LMA Models in Russia? Aside from having an excellent and continually unique taste in the girls they represented, LMA knows how best to showcase their fresh faces for scouts and model enthusiasts like myself. There's no obscene airbrushing that renders the girls unrecognizable (read: IMG Paris), just simple and strong digitals to let you appreciate their beauty in the most natural of ways.

Sure, Liza Serpova might be a little sweeter than I typically go for in a model, but her digitals were the perfect sales pitch. You see, instead of trying to sell me on the idea of Liza as a model, LMA has highlighted all the things that make Liza unique: her luminescent eyes, powerful mouth and jawline, and that Rapunzel-like hair.



(all images courtesy of LMA models)

I am well aware that there is a slight Marina Panova similarity in the eyes. However, with that long mess of hair Liza reads visually like a modern day fairytale gone awry, making her quite unique in my eyes. While Liza is only 5'9" she certainly has a set of measurements made for modeling, 30-22-33.



What can I say, sometimes after focusing so intensely on hard edges and serial killer stares, you need something a bit sweeter, like Liza.

Fresh Faced: Kaila Wilson

Another Canadian? I would feign shock, but we all know that they're everywhere nowadays. Much like the current fashion week going on in Australia (much more on that, and the faces from down-under, later), L'Oréal Fashion Week in Canada provided a glimpse of the future talent sitting pretty at some of the best mother agencies in Canada. One of my favorite faces from the shows was the completely unique Kai (and her amazing hair) from Sutherland Models.


(images courtesy of Southerland's Modelwire)

Sure, Kai has the insanely luxurious mane of hair to add to her appeal (and I'll be honest that it was what instantly attracted me to Kai), but she also has much more. What strikes me immediately is her lovely green eyes, that are so wide-set Kai almost appears feline in nature. Sure, her face runs the risk of being a little on the commercial side, but I also think she knows how deliver intensity where it counts. Take a look as Kai goes from editorial strong to Victoria's Secret Pink! in just two digitals.



That is the kind of inherent versatility that cannot easily be taught. I would however love to see a few more digitals with Kai's hair off her face so we could get a better sense of her profile. But from what I have seen, Kai has a fairly angular jawline that looks amazing on the runway. Sure, Kai is not my typical purely directional girl (where as Irene Amquandon would have been but I can't steal the thunder from MNP), but I think this 5'9" beauty has a ton of raw potential. Oh, and if anyone has a last name for Kai, I would greatly appreciate it.

ETA: Thanks to the user who provided a full name for this lovely model, Kaila Wilson. It's very much appreciated!

Fresh Faced: Katerina Silhanova

I noticed that its been awhile since I profiled a blonde, and I have to say things were looking a little dark around here. So allow me to brighten things up for a moment and introduce the incomparable Katerina Silhanova from Bohemia Models. This 15 year old stunner from Czechoslovakia is every bit as beautiful as she is intense, which is a truly rare combination.


(all images courtesy of Bohemia Models)

What makes Katerina so remarkable to me is how effortlessly her facial features vacillate between intense and serene. Her eyes are a bright shade of seaform green, and yet under her heavy brows they almost appear sullen. Her lips have that soft bee-stung quality, but yet the architecture of that bow-shape is quiet modern and dramatic. And I have always celebrated a contradiction in aesthetics where models are concerned.



If her face wasn't enough, Katerina's 6'0" frame is just as strong with a set of incredible 32-24-35 measurements. Not that there has ever been a shortage of bookable Czech models, but at the moment Katerina really stands out for me. Not to mention that her golden locks should help to brighten up the blog for a bit.

Fresh Faced: Anita Nolsjo

Just a note before I get into this profile. I appreciate the comments that everyone has left, but I personally have a stance against public weight related discussion. It could be the tFS rules eating away at me, or it could be my personal opinion to not condemn the bodies of other people (especially those I don't personally know). Models are meant to be skinny, so how about we just leave it at that. Now, back to the real purpose of this blog, shining a spotlight on fresh faced beauty.

There's something about the newest batch of Scandinavian girls that I'm finding absolutely fascinating right now. Sweden has had no shortage of beautiful models in the past, but as industry tastes have thankfully changed, the faces coming out of this country have certainly become more dynamic as well; and MIKAS has had some great success in that department (read: Sara Blomqvist). My favorite girl on their roster has to be Anita Nolsjo, and her remarkable tomboyish charm.


(all images courtesy of MIKAS)

The more and more I look at Anita, the more I'm impressed by the contrast between her sharp blue eyes, and the smooth, almost ovular, shape of her face. It's that contrast that lends a very acute androgyny to Anita's overall appeal, and yet she remains inherent beautiful from every angle.



In addition to her killer face, Anita is equally impressive at 5'11" and 33-25-35, and it seems as if I'm not the only one who's noticed. As I was Googling Anita for more information, I discovered the Maud and Penelope had also featured her recently. Well ladies, I'm on board where Anita is concerned. Oh, and if anyone wants to use the comment feature to suggest new faces to be profiled, feel free. I'm always interested in hearing and seeing what other people find beautiful.

Fresh Faced: Johanna

Here's an interesting question for whomever reads this: have you ever found yourself having a "model moment"? Perhaps I should explain that a little better. Have you ever had a moment in everyday life where you unleash some piece of model related information in an unrelated environment? You know, a moment where people see what a fashion freak you truly are? Well, Junior year of college in some bullshit level Journalism class, I had such a moment. The professor was lecturing about Estonia, and claimed that due to the state of their media institutions Estonia had no celebrities. Without thinking twice, I raised my hand and corrected him, stating that Carmen Kass is quiet a well known figure in that country and internationally. I don't believe that anyone else in the room knew who she was, and I looked like an idiot.

How does this relate to anything? Well, its the story that naturally comes to me every time I think of Estonia now, and since our latest girl is Estonian, I figured it was an appropriate introduction. Meet Johanna from E.M.A. Model Management:


(all images courtesy of E.M.A.)

Nearly everything about Johanna's looks is strong; from her chiseled jaw, to those intense brown eyes. And yet, Johanna still manages to have a very acute femininity to her appearance, that seems to work harmonious with her other features. Johanna's is the type of beauty, not unlike Magdalena Frackowiak, that seamlessly traverses between hard and soft in every photograph.



Not to mention that Johanna has an amazing body. She's standing tall at 5'11", with 33-25-35 measurements. Granted, there can only be one Carmen Kass, but looking through the current Estonian girls (namely Kelli Lumi and Karmen Pedaru), I can't help but think just how wrong my professor was years ago. There is certainly an opportunity for star power in that country, and Johanna just so happens to be a testament to that potential.

Fresh Faced: Brittany Bennett

Here's a perplexing question for you: does Brittany Bennett really constitute as a 'fresh face' upon her relaunch? If memory serves me right (and who am I kidding, its been so long I had to use Google to know for sure), Brittany was once represented by Chic and Next. Then again that was more like three years ago. As far as I can tell, Brittany's career never really took off the first time around, and that's enough for me to constitute her reintroduction into the modeling industry as fresh. After all, it seems to have worked for Aline Weber last season.

Fast forward a couple of years to find Brittany now sitting pretty at Priscilla's in Australia and on the development board at Women Management in Paris. Given her ingenious digitals from Women, I'm more than happy to have waited all this time to hear again from Brittany.


(all images courtesy of Women Management)

How I adore a new face who comes stocked with digitals and polaroids, before you're inundated with test shots. Otherwise, I might have missed Brittany (or perhaps baby Shalom Harlow is an appropriate nickname for her) and her incredible jawline. What stands out to me about Brittany is that contrast between the strong, glass cutting angles of her jaw, and those sleepy, doe-like eyes. Not to mention that Brittany has an equally strong 5'10.5" frame and 33-24-34 measurements.



So it remains to be seen whether or not Brittany's second time around will be the charm, but given brilliance of her relaunch, I would imagine that September could be a very lucrative time for her. Here's to Brittany becoming the next great Australian success story in the modeling industry.

Fresh Faced: Auguste C.

The preamble to today's post is a lesson in ethnic heritage. Here's a fun fact for everyone: I'm actually half Lithuanian. Now unfortunately, my genes took a turn towards the Italian roots where height is concerned, but let me just say that Lithuanians are a tall people. Just look at my mother who stands at about 5'11". Why mention this, you ask? Because I always feel a sense of pride when I find a new Lithuanian girl that I like, even if I cannot speak a fucking word of the language. That being said, meet Auguste C. from Baltic Models in Lithuania:


(all images courtesy of Baltic Models)

Now I generally hate to make comparisons to already established models when introducing a new girls, but I cannot help but see an odd hybrid between Anna Kuchkina and my other favorite Lithuanian, Eva Arlauskaite, in her face. Comparisons aside, I really am smitten with Auguste's look. Perhaps its the quiet storm brewing behind her deep brown eyes? Or maybe that quaint sliver of a mouth? Either way, I feel like there is something very special about this girl.



Auguste is standing tall at a whopping 6'0" (though I'm sure we'll see that drop to 5'11" once she's signed), and very strong set of 32-25-35 measurements. Granted it's been a few years since the 'Lithuania Mania' that seemed to occur back in the first half of this decade, but with the recent success of Egle and Edita, one cannot help but think that agencies are scouting for their own Lithuanian star. Well as far as I can see, Auguste C. is currently one of the better new faces from this area. Needless to say I look forward seeing how Auguste's career develops!

Fresh Faced: Danielle Meyer

So the same way that it kills me to start a thread without a full name and a set of stats, I hate to blog about a girl without all of the facts. Or rather, I should say, as many facts as I can possibly gather. Case in point, Sana Belal ends up with a polaroid sheet from Ford, when I assumed she was going to Next. However, sometimes you just fall for that instantaneous appeal and are willing to suffer through the often tumultuous process of waiting for new information, and re-checking portfolios daily.

Well such is the case for Danielle Meyer at Women Management in Milan. Trust me here, I've tried every combination of words I can think of to try to find her mother agency, and have come up empty. So take note, if anyone knows anything that I don't, please feel free to share (it will be greatly appreciated). Anyhow, Danielle is one of the first new faces I've seen on the Women Milan site to come with a video in addition to her portfolio. So, it certainly seems as if they're quite proud of their latest signing, and with good reason.


(all images courtesy of Women Management Milan)

Danielle is in possession of a very serious combination of tomboy charm (read: freckles!), and refined, classic features. Given that I'm such a sucker for a girl with red hair, I'm certainly loving how Danielle's shade of cherry locks give her a slightly darker twist. Also, if you have time I certainly suggest viewing the videos in her portfolio, because her smile is adorable.



Standing tall at 5'10", with a very strong set of 31.5-24-35 measurements, Danielle just comes across as the type of clean, strong, young girl that is very bookable. Granted, her portfolio is only full of a few average test shots at the moment, but I have high hopes for her development in that field. Until then, these polaroids are speaking volumes about the potential of Danielle Meyer, and Women Milan seems to believe in her just as much.

German Special: Two For The Price Of One

I suppose this title is a bit misleading, since I'm obviously not selling anything. However, just placate me here and enjoy the kitschy deli lingo for a moment. Generally I only blog about one new face at a time, so as to make each post unique, or something equally sentimental. But what happens when you have two gorgeous, fresh faced German girls that both deserve some attention? Well, my solution is apparently to use a trite expression and group them together in one very special, very German post.

First up is the beautiful Natalie H., from Iconic Management in Berlin. Sure, Iconic has a bevy of beauties on their development board at the moment, but what impressed me about Natalie was the strength and intensity behind her eyes. Honestly, a stare that piercing is a very rare quality for any model, let alone a fresh face.



(all images courtesy of Iconic Management)

Now combine Natalie's steely gaze with her timeless bone structure and unique nose, and her appeal becomes even more brilliant. Standing at 5'9.5" with 32.5-23-34.5 measurements Natalie comes across as the kind of strong editorial girl that most agencies should be excited to mold and develop.

Our second German delight is the impeccable Reneé from Place Models in Hamberg. Don't let her soft, quirky aesthetic fool you, Reneé is definitely capable of delivering an equally impressive gaze. Perhaps its that juxtaposition of soft and hard that makes her all the more unique, because I simply adore the way her mischievous stare seems to betray the rest of her mouse-like features.



(all images courtesy of Place Models)

I'm not sure if this reference point will make sense to anyone, but Reneé has that very unique Heathers appeal to her. You know what I mean, totally an A+ student on the surface, but more than capable of breaking a few hearts before class. Trust me, it's more an observation of her projected attitude, than a visual reference to Shannen Doherty. Either way, Reneé is standing tall at 5'10" with a textbook case of 34-24-35 measurements, and the type of unique face that many an influential designer have been known to adore (and yes I'm looking at you Miuccia!).

Well there you have it, my first double-feature on my two favorite German girls at the moment: Natalie H., and Reneé. Enjoy!

Edited to add: I just realized that Natalie H. is in fact Natalie Hanackova and is actually Czech. I apologize for the mistake, but sometimes these things happen; Natalie's mother agency is Bohemia Models. Also, Reneé's last name is Saibert.

Fresh Faced: Janelle L'Hirondelle

Oh, Canada. There are plenty of times when people make jokes about Canada being our forgotten attic to the north. As far as I'm concerned, Canada is much more than that. After all, in high school it was also the place you could go to start drinking and gambling three whole years before you could at home. No one else had 'Windsor Weekends' growing up? Just me?

Anyhow, I digress. I like to consider Canada more of a non-stop model making institution that always has something new and refreshing to share with the rest of the world. Thus, it should come as no surprise that Mode Models, the agency that brought us Heather Marks, Julia Dunstall, Johanna Strickland, and Meghan Collison, would have plenty of talent waiting in the wings. Take for instance the uniquely charming appeal of Janelle L'Hirondelle:


(all images courtesy of Mode Models)

Are you seeing the brilliantly executed expression behind her eyes? That very sullen and jaded expression works perfectly to form a sharp juxtaposition with her light hair and eyes, and her gamine frame. Sometimes it really is all about attitude, and as far as I can tell from her polaroids, Janelle is more than capable of delivering in that department. From serene, to aloof and back to disillusioned in a matter of three polaroids, she truly is a girl after my own heart.



At 5'9" Janelle comes across as a girl with much more to offer than just a few extra inches in height department (she's also boasting a killer set of 33-23-33.5 measurements). So, let us all take a moment to thank Canada, and the impeccable collective eye of the team at Mode Models of course, for continuing to provide new and refreshing faces.

Fresh Faced: Suzie Bird

So, if an onomatopoeia is the formation of a word based on sounds, do we really have any equally exclusive word for when things are named after what they look like? Well in the case of Suzie Bird at Elite Paris, I suppose I'm just going to call her last name apropos, as there is something decidedly avian about the shape of her insanely high cheekbones, nose and lips. Yes, there are plenty of other models with similar pointed, bird-like features, but what truly is holding my attention is what Suzie does with her eyes. There is a very quite and stoic strength behind her big brown eyes that comes across as very confident in photographs.



(all images courtesy of Elite Paris)

More over, I'm really enjoying the subtle androgyny that Elite is building upon in these polaroids. There is something decidedly Jil Sander about the combination of a clean, strong, angular face and clean lines of the clothes Suzie is wearing. Anyhow, Suzie's debut on the Elite website has come without statistics, but from what I can tell her body is looking quite bookable (albeit about maybe 5'9.5"?) and her portfolio is actually quite nice for such a newcomer.




I for one am looking forward to watching Suzie's development process unfold over at Elite, and presumably Ford in New York, which will hopefully include more of those avant-garde polaroids that I'm so fond of. In any case, Suzie is fast becoming one of my favorite faces on that Elite Paris development board which is already stacked with potential.

Edited to add: Just a brief editorial here, but I would like to note that no modelista in the online community ever truly discovers a girl; we're not in that realm. However, when I'm not the first to come across a model online, I am at least wise and considerate enough to credit and thank those who did. To me, there is nothing more underhanded than passing off someone's work and ideas as your own.