When the right girl arrives on the fashion scene at the exact right moment, the results can be dramatic. Less than three years ago, Vanessa Moody was a striking student walking into an open casting call for the first time—these days, Moody’s pout can be seen on billboards; in the pages of the world’s most prestigious magazines; and, during the past few seasons, on what feels like every major runway. With her clean-cut elegance and down-home charm, she may call to mind all-American, generation-defying faces like Cindy Crawford and Bridget Hall, but Moody has come into her own as a model, a fact solidified by her new role as the face of Michael Kors Collection. Joining an elite club that has included everyone from Christy Turlington to Sasha Pivovarova, Moody’s appearances in the dreamy Spring spots for the brand meant a homecoming of sorts. “I’ve known Michael [Kors] and his team from working during the shows,” says Moody, who has walked for the designer since 2014, “but this was my first time collaborating with Mario [Testino] and Paul Cavaco—they’re incredibly talented and nice. We spent a majority of the shoot laughing and joking around with each other.”
Growing up as a self-described “tomboy” in Lewisville, Texas, Moody was far removed from the glamour she typically displays in photo shoots. “Truthfully, I didn’t grow up around fashion,” says the model. “In Texas, the style usually revolves around a lot of jewels, boots, and T-shirts—oh, and lots of plaids!” Since her move to New York and immersion in the industry, she’s fine-tuned her personal style, eschewing trends for a look that hews more to the classic and understated. “I can alternate between very relaxed and casual to something more grown-up and sophisticated,” she says. ”I enjoy dressing up, so I guess it all depends on where I’m going.”
While it’s fair to say that her year has begun on a high note, Moody values the experiences garnered from her increasingly high-profile career more than the increased attention. “For me, the most exciting part has easily been traveling to so many exciting and diverse locations and meeting a variety of people,” says Moody. “Through work, I now have the ability to see how life is in different places, and how other cultures are different and similar compared to ours.” Given that she’s now one of the world’s busiest models, the new year should provide Moody with even more opportunities to shine. “The last year was the most exciting I’ve had in my career so far. I had the privilege of meeting and collaborating with new creative talents in the industry and traveling to places I have wanted to visit since I started modeling. I’m feeling pretty grateful for this moment!”
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