ave you ever wondered how the world’s most famous models got their start in the fashion industry? The stories of their discoveries show that the path to success is often surprising and unpredictable. From fast-food restaurants to Irish dance competitions – every career began in its own unique way.
1. Coco Rocha
Coco Rocha was a lanky 14-year-old at an Irish dance competition when Vancouver-based agent Charles Stuart discovered her and suggested she try modeling. It took a year for Coco to agree, but today she is an indispensable figure in the modeling world.
2. Gisele Bündchen
Gisele Bündchen, the legendary Victoria’s Secret Angel, was discovered at a McDonald’s in Sao Paulo – while she was eating a Big Mac. Sometimes, a modeling career starts in the most unexpected places.
3. Karlie Kloss
Karlie Kloss was discovered at a charity fashion show in a St. Louis mall. At just 13, she impressed Mary and Jeff Clarke from Mother Model Agency, and she knew immediately that her path in modeling had begun.
4. Alessandra Ambrosio
Alessandra Ambrosio began her career through modeling classes and competitions, including the Elite Model Look, quickly finding her place among international models.
5. Behati Prinsloo
Behati Prinsloo was approached in Cape Town and eventually signed by Storm, one of the most renowned modeling agencies. Today she is not only a model but also a well-known personality, married to Adam Levine.
6. Jourdan Dunn
Jourdan Dunn was discovered while shopping in London by a scout from Storm Model Agency. Within a year, she was walking the runways of New York for Marc Jacobs and Polo Ralph Lauren.
7. Miranda Kerr
Miranda Kerr won a modeling competition for Dolly Magazine at age 13 before working for Billabong and launching her career as an internationally recognized model.
8 Doutzen Kroes
Doutzen Kroes started by submitting her photos to a modeling agency, and her breakthrough came with the cover of Vogue Italia, photographed by Steven Meisel.
9. Lily Cole
Lily Cole, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Kate Moss, Alek Wek, and Naomi Campbell have similar inspiring stories: they were discovered in the most unexpected places, often by scouts from local or international modeling agencies, and began careers that made them world-famous models.
These stories prove that no matter where you are discovered – on the street, in a restaurant, or at a competition – the modeling world is full of opportunities, and the right modeling agency can make all the difference.
