Carmen Kass

Carmen Kass (born September 14, 1978 in Paide, Estonia) grew up in the Estonian city of Paide. When she was a girl, she lived in a small flat in Sika village with her mother, who worked on a farm. At the age of 14, she was 'discovered' in a Tallinn supermarket by an Italian model scout. Kass had wanted to compete for the Miss Estonia title, but an offer to fly to Milan, Italy, to start a modeling career seemed like a better option.

Kass moved to Paris at the age of 18. She received exposure on the cover of magazines worldwide, such as Vogue (France) in 1997, ELLE (Australia), Image (UK), Madame Figaro, Numéro France, Vogue (France), and Vogue (US) in 1999.

In 1999, Kass modeled for top designers such as Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Fendi, Chanel, Chloé, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy. She appeared in Victoria's Secret shows.

Kass has posed in numerous advertisements for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Donna Karan, Givenchy, Fendi, Michael Kors, Versace, and for General Motors. She is recognized for her appearances in a The Gap denim advertising campaign. Kass was a spokesperson for Sephora, one of the leading cosmetics retailers, and the Christian Dior perfume, J'adore.

Kass was awarded by Vogue as "Model of the Year" at the 2000 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards.

As of 2006, she has appeared in campaigns for Dsquared, Pedro del Hierro, Michael Kors and Chloé with Malgosia Bela. In 2007, Kass has got ten campaigns only for the spring/summer collection, including Versace, Michael Kors, Pucci, Jones New York, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gap, Peek & Cloppenburg, Bedat & Co, Time and Et Vous?.

She has now signed to be Max Factor newest spokesperson.

Kass is known for her distinctive runway walk. A quirk of the Estonian supermodel is that while she is tall, her feet are quite small (about an American size seven). It is said that she sometimes falls out of her shoes while walking.

Carmen Kass trivia

Carmen Kass has dated Leonardo DiCaprio and restaurant owner Richie Akiva. She is currently involved with Eric Lobron, a German chess champion.

Carmen Kass interview

How are you?
Carmen Kass: I'm great!

This year you've got 8 campaigns for the spring/summer collection. What is the key of such a big success?
Carmen Kass: I have been working in the business for 14 years and it is impossible to predict what season will be good and what less good. I guess I have proved to the clients in the business that I have a value that sells with a combination of pleasant and uncomplicated work time. I never complain, treat everyone equally and always give my best.

How was it like for you to leave Estonia and move to the big fashion cities at a young age? Have you had to overcome any unusual obstacles in the beginning of your career?
Carmen Kass: Perhaps the most difficult times were to deal with new cultures and languages. One may get a chance in a high fashion just for outer beauty but to continue successfully you must master communication skills.

How early did you know, or what was the moment you knew you became a supermodel?
Carmen Kass: Back in a day models (Naomi, Kate, Christy, Nadja, Cindy, Claudia, etc...) that were continuously working with major fashion houses, appeared on the covers of major fashion magazines and acquired fame also outside of the business through that kind of modeling became credited with a status Supermodel. Today models like Petra Nemcova, Heidi Klum, Bar Raphaeli and many others alike have been credited Supermodel status with all kinds of other reasons and therefore I think that media has ruined original status of "supermodel".
Understanding the above mentioned, I never paid importance to the status but cared more for ongoing business.

Please describe a recent enjoyable experience from your career.
Carmen Kass: Every offer becomes enjoyable when executing.

When aspiring models see you, they idolize you and want to be like you. How do you feel about the admiration you receive from them and from fans all around the world?
Carmen Kass: There is nothing more awarding than being appreciated for your work, without fans and admirers there is no continuity! I thank and love them for that!

What have you discovered about yourself through modeling?
Carmen Kass: Confidence, courage and knowledge that we all have our place under the sun.

You are also the president of Estonian Chess Federation, and I guess it's almost impossible to defeat you in a game. When and how did your interest in chess begin?
Carmen Kass: My father was a chess teacher when I was a kid and ever since the passion has travelled with me. Although I play almost every day, to defeat me is not so hard if you know how to play. I am just a hobby player not a professional one and there is whole big world between these two.

As a chess player myself, I always wonder, which piece is more weighty – Knight or Bishop?
Carmen Kass: I have learned that although in some positions Knight can be stronger, the simpler and more radical answer to that question is by placing Knight or Bishop in the middle of the board and counting how many squares do they individually capture. Result 8/13 for a Bishop (or 9/14 if counting the one it stands on).

What do you think about the quote: "Life is the art of drawing without an eraser"?
Carmen Kass: That would make life unchangeable. I believe that life holds and uses the eraser in itself, but drawing needs a helping hand for it.

What makes you happy?
Carmen Kass: Life in its glorious existence!!!

Where do you see yourself in five years?
Carmen Kass: Allow me to quote Ray Evans famous lyrics :
When I was just a little girl
I asked my mother what will I be?,
Will I be pretty? Will I be rich?
here's what she said to me:
Que Sera Sera, Whatever Will Be, Will Be
The future is not ours to see, Que Sera Sera
WHAT WILL BE WILL BE.