Daria Werbowy

Haute Couture week is coming and it is time to check in on the most en vogue models of the moment, those who succeeded in breaking into the business and persevering over the seasons, on the catwalks and in the minds of the designers. Following Gemma Ward, it is Daria Werbowy's turn for a close-up.

Ever since she was very young, Werbowy heard it said that she should become a model. Her parents, Polish immigrants living in Canada, pushed her in that direction. Nothing was further from her mind, however; she preferred playing in the woods, or spending afternoons boating on the lakes. She was a tomboy and spent all her time with her brother, Orest.

Her looks did not go unnoticed, however. Slim and graceful, she was encouraged by everyone to try modeling. At 14, she agreed to participate in an Elite-type competition and landed a contract with the New York agency, IMG. She did not want to interrupt her schooling, however, and the agency agreed to hold a place for her until she had graduated. At 17, she was finally ready to start her modeling career.

The year was 2001, however, and fashion week coincided with the tragic events of September 11. Needless to say, the world was not interested in what was happening on the catwalks. Werbowy was sent to Paris, then Milan; she ran from casting to casting, without success.

She who was always told that she was made for modeling could not understand why she was getting rejected again and again. She continued struggling until March 2002, and then went home to Canada. She spent the next 10 months boating on Lake Ontario, snowboarding with her friends and working with troubled children in Toronto.

She grew up, overcame her fears and returned more sure of herself, ready to go back into the fashion world battle. In January 2003, it was a young, healthy Werbowy with long hair and eyes of steel that showed up in the New York offices of IMG.

She was booked immediately and a few days later, walked for Marc Jacobs. Those who before only saw in her a tomboyish adolescent finally opened their eyes and discovered a sublime young woman. Barely a week after walking for Marc Jacobs, Werbowy was photographed by Steven Meisel to become the face of Prada for the following season.

She particularly appreciated the chance to work with Meisel who for her was a bit "like going to modeling school." Under his direction, she learned to use her body like an instrument and to master the camera. Nothing more was needed to launch her career.

Her difficult debut was not forgotten, however, and allowed her to greatly appreciate everything that was happening to her now. Thanks to that experience, she understood that she depended on the desires of others and that these "others" were fickle. At the moment, however, she was the object of a widespread infatuation and signed numerous contracts, e.g. with Zara, Gucci, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.

In 2005, after two years of intense success, and her name being on everyone's lips, she became the ambassador for Lancôme. She felt particularly close to the image of the brand and found something familiar in the idea of femininity "made by Lancôme": natural, elegance, freshness and generosity.

In 2006, Mario Testino had her pose with five other top models for the Versace Fall-Winter campaign. Despite having become a top model, she remained herself, continuing to sail and snowboard.

She is lucid with respect to the risks involved in a career based entirely on the physique. Even more so since the end of her adolescence as she can no longer eat whatever she wants without gaining an ounce. Now, she obliges herself to go the gym daily and eats organic food.

Although she pays attention to her diet, she is never extreme about it; Werbowy is an epicurean and intends to take advantage of all life has to offer. She laughs about the fact that she cannot turn down. At 24, she is one of the repeating silhouettes seen on the catwalks and her regard has not finished seducing the public.