Lady Danger

The gorgeous Kathleen of Elite Models shines on this issue’s vibrant cover.

nivo slider image
Photographer, Cory VanderPloeg. Stylist, Heidi Ondrusek. Make Up, Natalie Kaine. Hair, Matthew Collins.

Into the studio walks endless legs and a big smile. It’s an interesting face, robust brows and sprinkled with freckles. With a swipe of eyeliner and some big hair she does look a bit like Lana Del Rey, but who wouldn’t like that?  “People tell me I look like her constantly, it’s crazy. But it’s a compliment right?” she laughs.

The 21-year-old has been modelling a lot longer than Lana’s been famous. “I got into by a fluke when I was 13. My parents read this article in the newspaper about a model search in Barrie and I actually ended up winning.  I have three older brothers who tortured me my whole life so I never thought I could actually be a model. “

As a child model, she didn’t do too much work so she could focus on school. “My first shoot was Fashion 18, and then I did Abercrombie kids. And then I did a lot of runway later,” she says.

After high school she moved to Halifax to study Business Management at Dalhousie University and is now back in Toronto. “I’ve just started seriously modelling again this year,” she says.

Recently she spent a month and a half in New York and did Italian Vogue, Kerastase with L’Oreal and a look book for a handbag company. “Italian Vogue was amazing. We were on the streets of New York and had hundreds of tourists taking pictures of us the whole time,” she explains.

Kathleen is currently working on getting a working visa so she can continue working in New York. “I want to go to Europe so badly too, I’ve never been there before. But I’m happy with starting in New York, if I can do that I know I can expand.”

“After I stop modelling I want to have enough money saved up to start my own business, something in fashion. Or I’d like to work for an agency, as a scouter or booker,” she tells me.

As one might assume, Kathleen is an active person.  “I love swimming and bike-riding, I’ve been going on long journeys and just totally zoning out.” She also writes a bit of poetry, “I write what I feel in my different mood swings,” she laughs.

During the shoot the hilarious and sassy model is instantly everyone’s friend.  All of her previous modelling stints show through in her relaxed and helpful attitude on set. With her endearing nature and upcoming endeavors, I’m sure many more images of Kathleen will be popping up throughout the fashion world.