It’s one thing to be a model, it’s quite another to become a standard bearer within the industry. More than any other model in recent memory, Hilary Rhoda has served as a representation of All-American luxury. The Chevy Chase, Maryland born star was blessed with the kind of innate allure that conjures images of country club weekends and the glamour of the good life. The moment she hit the catwalks in 2005 the whole world was hooked – designers from Marc Jacobs to Nicolas Ghesquière were instantly taken by Hilary’s beauty and budding star power. Photographers followed suit with high profile names like Steven Meisel, Inez & Vinoodh and Mario Sorrenti clamoring to photograph the expressive beauty. With her trademark brows and grace in front of the camera a major cosmetics contract was inevitable and in 2007 she signed on as global face of beauty giant Estee Lauder.
The in front of the camera work is only the beginning of the story. Rhoda’s distinguished herself off the catwalks via her tireless charity work with organizations like New Yorker’s for Children, Make A Wish and Lollipop Theater, all of which strive to provide support and aid to children in need of it. Broadening her repertoire with hosting gigs – including Vogue’s epic Met Gala – showcases another side to Hilary’s talents and provides a glimpse at the eloquent, intelligent young woman behind the high gloss images. With a career that continues to soar to new heights and a host of personal victories on the horizon, Hilary truly has come into her own as an icon.
Photography and film by Santiago & Mauricio Sierra (Cadence New York)
Styled by Elizabeth Sulcer
Creative Direction Stephan Moskovic
Produced by Cesar Leon
Director of photography Matthew Schroeder
Make up by Serge Hodonou
Hair by Thomas Dunkin
Manicurist Dawn Sterling
Music by S&M LAB, Freesound.org
Written by Janelle Okwodu for Models.com
Digital tech Dallas Raines at Industrial Color
CGI Franco Barroeta
Production Manager Sylvia Zakhary at Cadence NY
Special thanks to Fast Ashleys Studios, Industrial Color, & Velem.
Perfect! She is so fantastic and amazing!
But I missed on the list names like Abbey Lee, Bianca Balti, Coco Rocha and Alek Wek!
Our other name of one black beautiful and important girl.
She should play Wonder Woman.
Coco Rocha
Even though I haven’t followed Hilary career I do know that she it she is a force. A girl who is easily remarkable women of American fashion, great addition. Seems hugely versatile from Estee, SI and usely fits in High fashion.
Great point Peter Paul, Alek Wek definitely deserves a spot on the industry icon list even though she hasn’t landed multiple vogue covers nor campaigns she has been a huge impact towards black fashion and influenced a huge trend in models in terms of their appearances i.e ajak, atuni, grace, etc.
She’s truly an icon. Just must have been years already to recognize her as it. I’m a fan ^^”
Well deserved for Hilary she has always stayed relevant and is such a great model and person.
I’d never noticed her scar before. It lends credence to her truly All-American-adventure-sports-chick vibe and frames her upper lift area perfectly.
As an aside, I’m also wondering why Alek has not been featured on your ICONS list yet…
I need Coco Rocha to be featured in icon list soon..
Yes, please.
I completely agree with eveyrone to feature Ms. Coco. Going back to the topic, Hilary has worked her way from being Hilary St. Claire to becoming a household name. By the way this is the only time I noticed her scar on her upper lip and her cheek bone is more defined now a days, espcially in Victoria’s Scret.
http://blessthemodels.wordpress.com/
Well deserved, Hilary. An american superstar.
And now I’ll jump on the “Coco Rocha should be next” wagon. It’s her time.
Hilary has really transformed herself in the last few years, what a great model she has become.
Congrats Hilary! Very well deserved. It makes me profoundly happy that the industry still recognises and admires classical beauty. Having said all that I Couldn’t agree more with all of the above. Ms. Coco HAS to be in this list. She stands for so much, has done a lot for this industry and is, indeed, iconic. Coco in the industry icons list ASAP.