A fresh article from WWD
Published: Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Werbowy's Model Approach to Beauty
By Molly Prior
NEW YORK — Daria Werbowy is a model stranded in a celebrity's fashion world, and she can't help but notice.
Since inking a contract last spring to be the face of Lancôme's new fragrance, Hypnôse, and eventually its color cosmetics, as well, the Ukrainian-born Canadian has crossed the threshold into beauty, a business that recently has become transfixed more with those who saunter down the red carpet than the runway. But Werbowy is hoping to do her part to reclaim models' marketing might from the firm hold of celebrities.
"It's unfortunate if you are a model," said Werbowy with a bit of irony last week as she paused between fittings. "If they can come into our world, why can't we go into theirs?" she mused rhetorically.
And her Hollywood counterparts soon may have to make room for the 5-foot, 10-inch model.
"I'd love to try acting," said Werbowy. "Film is such an amazing form of expression and creativity." Werbowy dabbled in the movie business while growing up in Toronto, working as an extra in films and television programs.
"The modern woman can transform herself from year to year, and re-create herself to be anybody."
Daria Werbowy
Werbowy has appeared in ads for Prada, Gucci and Chanel, but the multiyear Lancôme deal marks her first beauty contract. While Lancôme executives declined to reveal the details, the industry norm for a model as the face of a beauty brand is a three-year agreement worth $1 million annually.
Werbowy admitted she initially worried she would not fit the "superhuman" image a beauty company might require, but that Lancôme executives put her at ease.
"They've been very supportive of who I am as an individual and have let me bring my own sense of style to the project," said Werbowy, noting that, during the shoot, executives listened to her opinions. "It's given me a voice."
Werbowy, who entered modeling at age 14 while finishing her studies at an arts high school in Toronto, gives off more of an independent artist vibe than that of a fashion industry darling. Her smooth, introspective disposition suits her artistic leanings.
She still sketches regularly and decided to skip the runway last season to reclaim her sense of self.
"I wasn't reading or sketching. I was losing the things that make me me," said Werbowy, referring to her five seasons of doing runway shows before taking the break last fall.
And her absence may have only added to her draw. "The key for me is accepting what I do and not being ashamed to be a model," she said. To Werbowy, modeling is the means to new ventures. Off the runway, her look may be understated, but Werbowy's pull to extend herself into beauty is rooted in her take on womanhood.
"The modern woman can transform herself from year to year, and re-create herself to be anybody," she said.
"Beauty is a big word," she declared. "I can't think of something I don't find beautiful. I find beauty in sorrow and events that are unfortunate."
Reflecting on her eight years in the business, Werbowy said: "The industry has become a lot more commercial in a lot of ways. The turnaround of girls is faster, which has created an interesting mentality for models — they treat it more as a business than a career."
In a business that prizes youth, at age 22 Werbowy said she feels old next to the gaggle of 14-year-olds backstage at fashion week. To combat that feeling, her philosophy is to take on as much as she can until the new crop of models emerges on the scene.
So far this New York season, the model has walked the runway for Carolina Herrera, Oscar de la Renta, Marc Jacobs and Luella Bartley.
As for how she handles the push and pull of fashion Week, Werbowy said: "Adrenaline is a beautiful thing."
source:
http://www.wwd.com/issue/article/104212?page=1
P.S And she's on the cover!
source: wwd