Suit — Sacai. Jacket — Alexandre Blanc Paris.
A disciple of Yves Saint Laurent himself, Amalia Vairelli emerged on the fashion scene in the late 70s and has cut a swathe through the industry ever since. While never a household name, Amalia became a force on the European catwalk circuit and appeared in ads for YSL and Gianni Versace and on the pages of Vogue. In the four decades since her discovery at a Paris disco, Amalia’s reputation as a runway legend hasn’t diminished. Far from jaded, she continues to model—mostly recently alongside her son for Marine Serre—and she remains philosophical about her experiences, with a deep love for fashion still intact. Here, in her own words, Amalia shares her story.
Photographer – Lucie Hugary @ Le Crime for Models.com
Stylist – Glen Mban
Makeup – Loriane Leger
Model Amalia Vairelli @ Silver (Paris)
Left: Top — Mugler. Trench coat — Schepperhyn. Leather trousers — Christophe Terzian | Center: Top — Marta Martino | Right: Dress — Carmen March.
On a dance floor, in a night club, a man who had a modeling agency gave me his card. We did a photoshoot to see if I was photogenic and [he] took me into his agency. A few days later I had my first casting at Yves Saint Laurent with whom I signed. I was 21.
Total look — Mugler.
Traveling around the world, in places where wealth and poverty co-exist, gives you the privilege to approach life’s hazards objectively. I am instinctive and intuitive, two antennas that help me to progress in the meanders of life.
Left: Pullover — Mugler | Right: Suit — Alexandre Vauthier. Bag — Egon.
My journey with Yves Saint Laurent was by far the most culturally, artistically, and humanely rewarding. It was like a passport that allowed me—and still does today—to cross all borders and work with the most talented people.
