V Magazine
Birth of a supermodel
Australian model Catherine McNeil went from a tomboy who loved motorbikes to the girl of the moment with an exclusive six-month contract with Mario Testino and the starring role in V’s FALL Fashion Preview. It didn’t happen overnight…but almost
Photography Mario Testino
history
There is a long, elaborate history of models and photographers working together over and over again. Think of Bailey and Shrimpton, Bob Richardson and Anjelica Huston, Richard Avedon and Suzy Parker, Steven Meisel and Linda Evangelista. This fashion equation is how particular faces become iconic and certain photographers develop a singular style. Usually such relationships, and the process whereby a model is transformed into muse, develop slowly, picture by picture. Not so with Mario Testino and the 18-year-old Australian model Catherine McNeil, whom Testino photographed just twice earlier this year before signing her up to work exclusively with him for a six-month period.
“I was sent some Polaroids of Catherine by her agency,” Testino explains how he discovered the model, whose gamine looks might be described as Jean Shrimpton meets Shalom Harlow. “And I just thought, Wow! This girl is amazing. I see beautiful girls all the time, but many only work for one season. I am looking for something more than good looks, because when you take a photograph what is on the outside creates an impression for the viewer for five minutes. But if a girl can project what’s inside her, that’s what lingers. I think Catherine has got what it takes to be an amazing model. That’s why I’ve put her on an exclusive contract. It’s one thing to spot someone early in their career—I’m never afraid to take risks on a new girl—but it’s a great luxury to be able to develop what starts as an instinct and turns into a rich working relationship. It means we’ll have time to make some fantastic photographs together.” Testino has a notable track record for discovering models. He insisted on using Gisele when nobody else was interested in her Amazonian looks, taught Carolyn Murphy how to move, spotted Jacquetta Wheeler walking down a London street, and transformed the career of Kate Moss by being the first photographer to portray her as a sex symbol rather than as a waif. Still, more than a photographer does a supermodel make—even if Testino’s decision to sign McNeil to an exclusive contract creates a stir big enough to add powerful heat to her career. “It creates instant hype,” explains Stephen Gan, the editor-in-chief of Visionaire and this magazine. “But hype is only part of the mix. Mario told me about her. It was when I was watching the Paris shows that I was convinced. The model who opened the Givenchy show really caught my eye. It turned out to be Catherine.” That’s when Gan knew he was seeing the birth of a supermodel. And Catherine? What does she make of being spotted and signed by Testino? Well, in between takes of her first American cover shoot, we asked her. Daisy Garnett
Model Catherine McNeil (Next)
First Name: Catherine
Last Name: McNeil
Nationality: Australian
Ethnicity:
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Date of Birth: March 20, 1989
Place of Birth: Brisbane, Australia
Height: 5'11" ; 180.5cm
Measurements: (US) 33-24-34 ; (EU) 84-61-86.5
Dress Size: (US) 4 ; (EU) 34
Shoe Size: (US) 8 ; (EU) 40 1.
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@темы:
Catherine McNeil,
Women,
Mario Sorrenti,
Fashion,
black & white