Kelly Kopen Model For H&M

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Earlier this year I made reference to Kelly Kopen modeling for H&M. Well, here is H&M's Divided Spring 2010 campaign featuring Kelly Kopen, Cole Mohr and Re'l Dade.

Kelly Kopen: Model Moment

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Raise the topic of fashion models with anyone outside of fashion, and prepare to take the defensive. No, they're not (all) suffering from an eating disorder; no, they don't all earn $10,000 a show and; no, they don't all look the same (read: are from Eastern Europe).

Every now and then a model breaks the mold. We call them "oddballs." Think Kate Moss breaking the industry standard with her 5'7-inch stature, Alek Wek with her baby-like features (and 36-inch inseam - 36 inches? dang) or Omahyra Mota with her androgynous look.

The latest conteneder? Enter Kelly Kopen, the tomboy with a personality that is just as "oddball" as her distinctive look.

I had first met Kopen during the production of the Chanel Cruise 2008 show. Her style? Totally stood out from the other girls (check out the Models Own Clothes feature I did with her in my blog archives: December 2008). Her vibe? Too cool for school. Let's just say that if it weren't for her teaching me how to do "the monkey" at the Chanel after-party, my moves wouldn't be as fresh on the dance floor.

Fast-forward a year later, and I bump into Kelly Kopen at the Alexander Wang after-party (pictured above). OK, so what prompted me to feature a model moment with Kopen? Last week I walked into H&M, happy to see that its Spring 2010 visuals were up. The usual crop of girls were featured in the lastest campaign (Liya Kebede, Anja Rubic to name a few), but there she was: Kelly Kopen. Congrats.

Watch for her growing importance this year. Just sayin'.

Alexander Wang After-Party

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Alexander Wang is the it boy in fashion. In a few short seasons, he's established a cult-like following among models, celebrities and fashionistas alike. What I like about him is that, in addition to his too-cool-for-school aesthetic, he's a smart business man. Everything he does is an extension of his brand, only reinforcing his market position as the cool kid in the industry.

Take the Alexander Wang After-Party as an example. During New York Fashion Week, Wang held his party in the Meatpacking District. The location? The Mobil gas station. Leave it to him to transform a gas station into the best party during Fashion Week.

Courtney Love performed to an intimate audience consisting of models (Frankie Rayder, Lily Donaldson, Erin Wasson, Liya Kebede, Isabeli Fontana, Jessica Stam, Philip Huang, Kelly Kopen, and more), celebrities (Jared Leto, Olivia Palermo) editors, buyers, and industry buffs.

One of the highlights for me was the convenience store at the Mobil gas station. It was fully stocked with chocolate bars, chips, soda -- you name it. And it was a free-for-all. You could take whatever you wanted. Thanks Alex!

Models Own Clothes

December 7, 2008 – Ever wondered what models show up to work in? At the Chanel Cruise 2008 show I couldn’t help but notice these standout looks backstage. Top Left: Allegra’s necklace is actually an antique compass she picked up in London and says she wears it with everything. Top Right: Kelly Kopen wears a vintage Borsalino fedora she found in Italy. Bottom: Kara and Maja.