Photography by Christian MacDonald for Models.com

She’s baaaaaack! Few models have had as meteoric a rise as Catherine McNeil. In 3 short years the beauty from Brisbane rose from obscurity, to being one of the most in demand models in the world. A dynamic presence on runway and in the campaigns of the world’s most powerful brands, Catherine reached the highest levels of success and signaled in a new era of glamour in the modeling biz, but at the height of her fame she disappeared.

After a well deserved break, Ms. McNeil has returned to the top, dominating the fall runways and racking up a slew of choice editorial work. 2013 is set to be the year of Catherine and MDC catches up with the busy beauty to talk fame, finding balance and what it’s like to return to the catwalks.

See the full story exclusively in MDX.

How was this season for you?
CATHERINE: This season was amazing for me. It was so nice to work with designers I haven’t seen in years.

You took a break for a moment, what did you do during that time?
CATHERINE: Yes I did, I moved to London for a few years and did absolutely nothing. It was great!!!

What made you want to return to fashion?
CATHERINE: To be honest, I got bored and missed it.

What was your initial success like – you skyrocketed to the top when you first came on the scene, but what was the experience like for you?
CATHERINE: I do think I was too young to really appreciate what was going on around me but I’m very thankful to the people around me.

How does this renewed success feel?
CATHERINE: I’m just really happy to still be working with amazing people every day

What are some things you’d like to do that you haven’t just yet -career wise or not.
CATHERINE: Buy a house near the beach and live in it.

How do you find balance these days?
CATHERINE: I don’t bring my work home and a healthy home life.

Tell us one thing about yourself people might find surprising.
CATHERINE: I make really good guacamole…Or so I’ve been told!

Crystal Renn

Photos by Melodie Jeng for Models.com

Jacket: Helmut Lang
Dress: American Apparel
Bag: Chanel
Boots:Maison Martin Margiela
Necklace: Made herself with vintage coal
Hand Jewelry: Left – Unearthen, Right – Abbey Lee for Mania Mania , Hot Topic

Favorite place to visit: Iceland in August.
Favorite come back trend: Wearing cuff earrings.

As the fastest-growing developmental disability Autism impacts the lives of millions of people worldwide. Working with Autism Cares to raise awareness and funds for autistic children and their families, top model Jacquelyn Jablonski (Supreme Management) aims to lend a bit of the fashion industry’s star power to this worthy cause – one that is especially close to her heart. Growing up with an autistic sibling gave Jacquelyn a first hand view of the difficulties faced by families with autistic children and insight into the importance of Autism awareness. In this special MDC interview, Jacquelyn shares what she’s doing to involve the fashion community and how you can get involved in helping families in need.

Photos: Eric Guillemain for Models.com
Stylist: Michael Philouze
Hair: Kenshin Asano
Makeup: Asami Taguchi

Interview by Janelle Okwodu for Models.com

How long have you been working with Autism Speaks?

JACQUELYN: In the past I’ve been attending events that my mom and I would find out through their website. We got in touch with one woman from Autism Speaks and she would send us invites here and there, but in the last year I’ve really been trying to get more involved. I guess the New York Stock Exchange event was the real start for me working with Autism Speaks. Susan Wright and the co-founders said they would love if my brother and I could join them, I met so many amazing people from the charity that morning. You could really see how passionate they are about it, in one day they had to go to four events, their dedication to Autism is non-stop.

The co-founders have a grandson with Autism so just listening to them speak about the charity is amazing. There are all these people who want to help and that is very moving because for a while it seemed like Autism wasn’t getting the attention that it needed. It is the fastest growing developmental condition in the U.S right now.

What was it like growing up with your brother?

JACQUELYN: It was definitely tough for my family and me. I remember he was diagnosed at age 2 and originally the doctors said he would never speak so things started going through our heads; will he ever get married, will he be able to just do the normal activities like play sports and making friends? At times when my sisters and I were growing up we would go through different phases and my brother would have outrageous behavior in public places. You do get a little embarrassed, but at the same time you try to play it cool. If he shouted out random things, or did something like pulling down his pants at a restaurant it was embarrassing. Some people were understanding, but to the average person my brother is a tall, handsome boy, so they at first are confused. There are people that laugh, or make fun and some others will get angry and yell depending on the behavior.

I think it made us all stronger and made us way more compassionate as people. You have to develop patience – which you need in the fashion industry. We became very independent as well, my parents devoted a lot of time to him because he needed a lot of attention and care. He’d go to school all day and come home, but he had to work constantly and have his mind going instead of running around the house or watching TV. So I feel like my sisters and I became very independent at a young age.

What would you say are some misconceptions people might have about Autism?

JACQUELYN: Some people confuse the types of Autism, it’s a spectrum disorder and there are several different types, my brother being on the more severe side. I think some people also confuse it with ADHD or Aspergers. One in 88 kids in the U.S are diagnosed with Autism, but there has yet to be a standard way of diagnosing things. When I was talking to someone from Autism Speaks they said that once everyone is on the same page with the diagnoses and figuring out the same method of determing Autism, ADHD and Aspergers you’ll find that the numbers will be different and higher.

What would you say is the overall goal of Autism Speaks?

JACQUELYN: To raise awareness and to raise money to help the families. It’s amazing what Autism Speaks has done to get the message out there. Light It Up Blue Day was on April 2nd and it kicked off Autism Awareness month, on that day we opened the Stock Exchange and they had the Empire State Building, the George Washington Bridge and all these landmarks all over the world change their lights to blue. My aunt at home ran over to Atlantic City and it was lighting up all of the casinos blue! Somehow she got someone on the phone and they were able to do it, even my uncle at home had a blue light bulb in his house. Things like that just make people aware of how this is growing and how important this is.

Families of autistic children have to deal with a lot of extra expenses – for example my brother needed special schools and doctors, that costs a lot of money. When I think about my brother it’s like; ok he’s 17 and his school goes to age 21, but what happens after? What happens when this generation of autistic children reaches a certain age? How can we help them and their families get the assistance and money they need? You can visit Autism Speaks website and donate there and just raise awareness locally. There are many events and it is important to donate time as well as money. This is the fastest growing developmental disease in the United States and I feel like not enough people are aware of that fact.

Can you tell us a bit about the event you’re planning?

JACQUELYN: I’ve been trying to do something for a very long time but it is kind of difficult. You don’t realize how much goes into planning an event until you start. I was trying to reach out to someone from Autism Speaks, when the whole thing with Ring the Bell happened and it was a perfect start. Everyone I’ve met has been amazing and they are all so excited to help and have the fashion world involved and raise awareness to even more people. I am reaching out to friends from the fashion world to do a silent auction and Autism Speaks is helping me with the right space. Originally I was trying to make sure it was in Autism Awareness month which is April, but I want to make sure everything is perfect and I was worried that was just too soon. Autism isn’t going anywhere, the issue will be just as relevant a month from now so if I can plan a bigger, better event I want to.

Intermission Magazine is back and better than ever. The latest issue is brimming with cool content that merges fashion, art and culture into an irresistible melange. Caroline Brasch Nielsen stares out from the cover in a stark shot by Fabien Baron. Inside profiles of innovators like Mario Sorrenti and Jack McCollough and Lazaro Hernandez of Proenza Schouler provide insight and intelligent commentary on the state of the business. Editorially there is plenty of eye-candy to enjoy, with standout stories featuring the talents of Nicola Formichetti, Sebastian Kim, Brian Molloy, Anthon Maule, Jay Massacret, John Scarisbrick & Tom Van Dorpe. To delve deeper into the forthcoming edition and the mag’s new attitude, we spoke with Editors in Chief, Patrik Sehlstedt and John Scarisbrick about print, pop culture and all Intermission has in store.

What do you hope to bring to Intermission as the new EIC?

We hope to be able to do more and deeper interviews and features with artists, musicians and designers that we really like! People who we think are making a difference and are trying to find new ways and pushing the boundaries. Some established ones who still love challenges, but also newer ones who are hungry to show their skills. It is important that our vision of Intermission magazine is kept, with the mix of different collaborators contributions, but not limited creatively. We hope we can show a different angle than you would see in the bigger commercial publications. With us you find an alternative.

What makes issue no. 7 different?

Well, for starters it´s the first time that someone else than us has shot the cover. Brian Molloy is the new fashion director and the calibre of the contributors has never been better. We have had more people involved in making the issue. Step by step we are staffing positions we haven´t had before and that is starting to show. We want to involve creatives of different disciplines much more but within the Intermission “world”.

What do you feel makes a print publication modern and essential in this age of digital?

First of all, the experience is very different between a well printed and designed physical magazine and an online publication. We still absolutely love getting our hands on a good new issue of a favorite magazine, whereas looking on the web you just cannot get that particular feeling. Having said that we still think the combination of a printed publication and a digital platform is essential these days. We are behind regarding our website, in fact it isn´t up to date at all right now and we are aimig to do a relaunch within shortly.

Can you tell us a bit more about the Mario Sorrenti feature?

It´s a feature we have wanted to do for a long time. What´s fun and interesting about it is that it doesn´t at all focus on his fashion images. The whole interview is about his nudes and his self portraits which he usually does in the nude himself. We think people will enjoy it, we did!

What can we expect from Intermission in the future?

We will work harder trying to break new ground in terms of creativity. We want to see more things we haven´t seen before and present it in the Intermission way. We now have one foot in Scandinavia and one in New York and that unusual combination we think can present interesting collaborations, features and ideas. We´re a young and independent magazine, but between us all we have many years of experience. We want to make it stronger and stronger in its expression without losing focus and keeping the tastefulness we believe we stand for.

Ph.Fabien Baron | Fashion Editor - Ludivine Poiblanc (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Models - Caroline Brasch Nielsen, Juliana Schurig

Ph. Mario Sorrenti | Fashion Editor - Nicola Formichetti | Model - Mathilde Frachon

Ph. Patrik Sehlstedt | Fashion Editor - Brian Molloy | Model -Zuzanna Bijoch

Ph. John Scarisbrick | Fashion Editor - Tom Van Dorpe (Paris: Management + Artists, New York: Management + Artists) | Model - Janice Alida

Ph. Mario Sorrenti

Ph. Sebastian Kim | Fashion Editor – Brian Molloy | Models – Tilda Lindstam and Antonina Vasylchenko

More of the season’s best girls share the behind the scenes happenings that made F/W 13 special for them in our continuing series, Model Memorable Moments. Be sure to check out Part 1 as well.

Photos by Janelle Okwodu for Models.com


Louise Parker (Marilyn Agency)
HOMETOWN: Minnesota
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Preen, J.W. Anderson, SL, Chanel
LOUISE’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

When I was in Milan I’d never been there before and I got to go and see the Last Supper by Leonardo DiVinci, that was really great. Also it was a just a nice moment to kind of step away from everything that was going on and have a moment of clarity and a moment to myself.

Tess Hellfeuer (New York Model Management)
HOMETOWN: Berlin
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Alexander Wang, Rodarte, Marc Jacobs, Peter Pilotto, Christopher Kane, Giles, Fendi, Marni, Missoni, Dries Van Noten, Louis Vuitton
TESS’ MEMORABLE MOMENT:

After the Louis vuitton show in Paris I walked out and got photographed. It was my last show, so i had time to walk around and thought, “So, this was my first season.” I remembered where I’d been in the last 1 1/2 months and what I did…it was a really intense moment- a feeling of pride and joy but exhaustion at the same time.

Nova Malanova (Ford Models)
HOMETOWN: Russia
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Alexander Wang, Balenciaga, Valentino
NOVA’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

It was my first season and doing an exclusive for Balenciaga was amazing. It was my best moment, being a part of that in my first season and starting my new life as a model this way was great.

Gracie Van Gastel (Ford Models)
HOMETOWN: Vancouver
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Marc Jacobs, Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane, Mulberry, Marni, SL, Chanel, Hermes
GRACIE’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

Basically when I found out that I was doing a Saint Laurent exclusive that was amazing and so exciting. Working with Hedi was really cool and the collection was really different this season, very soft grunge which is really my style and so I loved it.

Odile Coco (Muse Management)
HOMETOWN: The Netherlands
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Chanel
ODILE’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

My most memorable fashion week moment must have been the Chanel show when we were all in the line up for the show. All of these amazing models were in front of me, and one of them said: Damn I’m so nervous! And me as a newbie: Thank god. Thought it was just me.

Soo Joo (Wilhelmina New York)
HOMETOWN: Anaheim
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Tom Ford, Fendi, Missoni, Rick Owens, Lanvin, Chanel
SOO JOO’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

In London I got to do the Tom Ford show and meeting Tom for the first time was amazing. He knew exactly who I was and he even called me Miss Anaheim! In Milan I did Just Cavalli and that was an incredible experience and in Paris there was Chanel, which was a dream. I had a special moment in each city.

Mijo Mihaljcic (IMG)
HOMETOWN: Serbia
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Rag & Bone, Altuzarra, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Theyken’s Theory, Proenza Schouler, Philosophy, Reed Krakoff, Christopher Kane, Preen, Burberry, J.W. Anderson, Alberta Ferretti, Missoni, Dries Van Noten, Rick Owens
MIJO’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

All the moments that I had were a great experience, even the castings and the fittings and the moments before the show. It was my dream for a long time before I started modeling so when it happened it was just unbelievable. I couldn’t believe it was really happening, so I can’t just say one moment the entire experience has been wonderful. I can’t wait until next season – I’m still very excited about that, all the people I met who I had known of before I even started modeling and then meeting them in real life. I just felt really grateful and thankful to the casting directors and my agency for letting me be a part of that.

Bridging the gap between artist and model, Myla Dalbesio (Ford Models) is a multi-disciplinary visual and performance artist exploring altered mind-states, cult rituals, reality TV, hip hop and Evangelical America. As a model she has shot with Roe Ethridge, Mark Seliger, Ryan McGinley, Tung Walsh, Jeff Bark, Terry Tsiolis and has clients such as H&M and Levi’s.

Her artistic work has recently been exhibited at RH Gallery, Ramis Barquet, and The Old School in New York. She is currently preparing an April solo show in Frankfurt, Germany and will start the production of her first book “BEYOND VISION” in May. You may also see her work, Goddess Clap Back, at the Cue Arts Foundation in NY come July.

Multi-tasking is a creative way of life as she talks industry and inspiration.

Text: Kristen Bolt
Images by Kristiina Wilson for Models.com

How were you discovered?
My sister entered me in a beauty pageant when I was 16 and I was scouted there by Mary and Jeff Clarke. They sent me into Ford when I first moved to New York, and the rest is history.

At what point did you discover you were an artist?
I always have been. There was really no discovery about it, it’s just something I’ve always done. I come from a family of artists, musicians, and assorted creative types, so it’s always been there.

How do you incorporate your art into your modeling?
Both permeate into each other, usually in ways I’m not even conscious of. The idea of fearlessness that I’ve explored in my work has definitely come in handy on more than a few editorial shoots.

What is your favorite medium?
I really can’t choose favorites, I love to get my hands into everything. For a long time, when people asked me what medium I worked in, I used to just say “I do everything but draw and paint,” but now even that’s not true. I am part of the ADD generation, my attention span is far too short to work in only one concentration.

How does the art world compare and contrast to the fashion world?
It’s very easy to say that both are image-based and money driven, but only if you allow them to be. There’s plenty of room for both idealism and realistic thought, although perhaps more so in art than in fashion. If anything, fashion is a bit more honest about the requirements and expectations involved.

What do you believe is the future of the art world today?
With the wealth of free, available knowledge we have thanks to the omnipresence of the internet, I find that specialization is becoming increasingly outdated. I see the future trending towards the conglomeration of medias, a mix of everyone doing everything.

Describe your style.
Hip hop hippie art school goth farm girl fashion asshole. A little bit of everything, depending on my mood.

These collages are actually at the framers right now, and then will be crated up and sent to Germany for my upcoming show in Frankfurt. They are comprised of images sourced from urban model magazines like Smooth and Straight Stuntin’. I love these publications because they create some kind of alternate universe within their pages where video girls with bad tattoos and bartenders with big asses rule. It’s an insouciant, untroubled, and often unintentionally hilarious celebration of powerful women who are comfortable with their bodies and their sexuality.

A continued study of urban models. These are the first few drawings in a large series to be installed over a wall of windows in the gallery in Frankfurt.

These are the dollar bills remaining after my YOUNG MONEY performance in 2011. I started the performance with 100, and ended with only 70. I found it to be an unexpected representation of my own mental state after the experience; incomplete, depleted, slightly taken advantage of, as though I had given everything I could possibly have given to a group of strangers, and they sucked it all up like a vacuum, then stole my money on the way out. This collection of what remained spawned a series of sculptural pieces, each containing 70 dollar bills treated in different ways. The waxed version and the bleached version will be sent to Frankfurt as well.

The Face’s Zi Lin (MIX Model Mgmt), part of #TeamNaomi, sat down with us to discuss what it is like coming to New York from China and being in the spotlight for the first time. A continued favorite of Naomi, Zi Lin is proving that fantasy can be reality as she takes on the industry circuit. With a television debut under her belt and a uniquely sexy vibe that sets her apart from the sea of new faces, Zi Lin is poised to make the jump from the small screen to the catwalks.

Photo by Stephan Moskovic for Models.com

Zi Lin speaks below about her recent experiences:

Being on The Face was a great thing because I had to prove for the first time I really wanted to model and win.

Most days were 10-12 hours with the cameras following you. In the beginning the other girls could not talk to each other but after there were 12 of us left, they filmed us during our off time and that is where the drama comes from; although most of the girls were very nice and we would just hang out and cook together.

I feel my English is better than on The Face, because I was nervous. I began to learn English as a girl in China, but it is hard because we learn to write first and in our head we still think in Chinese. Being on the show has helped me learn to speak clearly and think about what I am saying.

I love New York! It reminds me of Shanghai. You can find almost anything here and both are very diverse. I am happily based in New York now.

Naomi has been so amazing. She looks very tough but she cares a lot. If she like the things you do, she will tell you and if not she will tell you as well. It’s very helpful to have specific feed back and that has helped me grow. Naomi has been with me every step of the way and continues to guide me now.

Every year Jeffrey Fashion Cares raises hundreds of thousands of dollars for LGBT charities and does so in sleek style. Last night onboard the Intrepid the glitterati came out to enjoy an evening of glamour all for a great cause. With a chic silent auction filled with an impressive array of goodies and a full fledged runway show featuring some of modeling’s finest faces, JFC was the place to be in Manhattan this week. Go inside the festivities and get a birds eye view of the evening that was with these stunning shots.

Casting: Andrew Weir for ACW (ACW Worldwide)

Text: Janelle Okwodu
Photos: Kevin Tachman (see more Kevin Tachman’s JFC pics here) and Melodie Jeng for Models.com

The stars of the season share some of their favorite moments from behind the scenes. Think you know which events stood out to the models who walked the fall shows – their answers may surprise you!

Photos by Janelle Okwodu for Models.com

MAGGIE MAUER (IMG)
HOMETOWN: Potsdam, New York
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Calvin Klein, Missoni, Margiela
MAGGIE’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

One of my favorite moments was me and Dana, Nian Fish and Francisco Costa, we had to ride the freight elevator to go look at the runway. It was 2 o’clock in the morning on Valentine’s day and we’re all just loopy and laughing.

MARIA BORGES (Supreme Management)
HOMETOWN: Angola
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Marchesa, Marc Jacobs, Jonathan Saunders, Erdem, Tom Ford, Missoni, Mugler, Kenzo, Givenchy
MARIA’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

My favorite moment of the season was my my first show in London Tom Ford, but I also loved doing Givenchy, in Milan I did 9 shows and that is so different from the last season. I’m just so happy in this moment and with everything – I loved being a top 10 Newcomer as well!

DANA TAYLOR (IMG)
HOMETOWN: Chicago
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Calvin Klein, Erdem, J.W. Anderson, Dolce & Gabbana
DANA’S MEMORABLE MOMENT: At Calvin Klein I looked around and realized I was walking on the same runway as Carolyn Murphy, Hilary Rhoda and Karlie Kloss. I couldn’t believe it.

Alana Bunte (Elite New York City)
HOMETOWN: LA
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Alexander Wang, DVF, Marc Jacobs, Giles, Louis Vuitton
ALANA’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

There were so many good moments, but the most memorable was having my exclusive with Louis Vuitton and spending the week with them. It was really inspiring and I felt very privileged to have that experience. My other great moment was having coffee with my agents at the hotel and Alexander Wang had just finished his show for Balenciaga. He came in and goes “Hi Alana” and it really hit me I was like “you know my name!” It was cool, I’ll never forget that.

Kremi Otashliyska (Ford Models)
HOMETOWN: Bulgaria
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Altuzarra, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Y-3, Theysken’s Theory, Proenza Schouler, Reed Krakoff, Marc Jacobs, Peter Pilotto, Mulberry, Alberta Ferretti, Fendi, Gareth Pugh, Rick Owens, Lanvin, Viktor & Rolf, SL, Chanel, Valentino, Hermes, Louis Vuitton, Miu Miu
KREMI’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

Maybe my favorite show and moment was in London at Peter Pilloto. The music was really nice and you could dance to it, plus I was wearing flats. If you look at the pictures you can see that I’m smiling a little. There were so many amazing moments though, it is hard to pick just one.

Elinor Weedon (Women Model Management)
HOMETOWN: Cornwall
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Philosophy, Rodarte, Richard Nicoll, Christopher Kane, Preen
ELINOR’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

I did an interview for Valentine’s day and they came up to me after Rodarte and asked me to say Happy Valentine’s Day to New York, but I didn’t quite hear what was said and then when the whole film went up every girl is like “hey Happy Valentine’s day” and I’m like “hey I’m Elenor and I’m from Down South.”

Martha Hunt (IMG)
HOMETOWN: North Carolina
WHERE YOU SAW HER THIS SEASON: Jason Wu, Marchesa, Jonathan Saunders, Mulberry, Christopher Kane, Tom Ford, Prada, Versace, Marni, Missoni, Dolce & Gabbana, Balmain, Acne, Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton
MARTHA’S MEMORABLE MOMENT:

Meeting Kate Moss backstage at Louis Vuitton!

Shirt: Vintage Blouse, Pants: Isabel Marant, Boots: Chanel, Necklace: F. DeValle

Amidst her second Vogue Paris editorial, Cisco Tschurtschenthaler (One Management) embodies all that has become the modern model: stylish, laid back and intelligent with a savvy for business. Her jewelry line, F. DeValle, resembles the island aesthetic so clearly an inspiration to Cisco herself. This Munich native is no stranger to clothes or travel, as she discusses some of the her favorite places to visit and shop.

Images: Janelle Okwodu
Text/Interview: Kristen Bolt

Where did the name Cisco come from?: My friends in Australia couldn’t pronounce my name, Franziska Tschurtschenthaler, so they nicknamed me Cisco.

What are your favorite places to shop: In Paris I like Frip Sap and in New York, Reformation

Both are vintage- is there a reason for this?: I like to find strong vintage pieces that tell a story and bring spirit to your style.

Your look is very distinct. Describe your style: 70′s rock and roll with inspirations by Marianne Faithfull and Anita Pallenberg. I love a silky white blouse.

Tell us about your other passion (besides modeling): I am working on my own jewelry line called F. DeValle. It is not ready yet, I want it to be right and with modeling I am traveling too much. But it is inspired by Bali, where my husband and I have a house. The relaxed island style is something I find to be so stylish.