RIANNE VAN ROMPAEY

Channeling her beauty icons like Debbie Harry and Kate Moss, Rianne van Rompaey, the redheaded Wageningen, Holland native, is what would happen if the works of Dr. Seuss, Roald Dahl, Tim Burton with a smidge of Robin Williams came to life and became a phenomenal quirky top fashion model.

There’s no going back to that
I’m so numb, cannot even react
Did not say it’s not ok
But we aren’t feeling the same way
I ain’t telling you a secret
I ain’t telling you goodbye

As an acting student, Rianne got her start in modeling as a high schooler when she was scouted by Amsterdam-based Paparazzi Model Management at the age of 19. The same year in 2014, Rianne was already walking in Nicolas Ghesquière’s debut collection for Louis Vuitton.

Ghesquière admired Rianne so much that he and the Vuitton team decided to tape an exclusive of Rianne. With the life changing and positive experience of doing her first show, Rianne was more determined than ever to put her creative energy into modeling which didn’t go unnoticed.

In that same year, Rianne walked for Prada, Miu Miu, scored some of her first editorials for Vogue Paris, WSJ, Interview Magazine and appeared alongside Naomi Campbell, Linda Evangelista, and Anna Ewers for the 50th anniversary cover of Vogue Italia photographed by Steven Meisel.

In 2016 alone, Rianne had 5 Vogue covers! One for Vogue Netherlands, another for Vogue Italia, one for Vogue Germany, Vogue China, and Vogue Russia. But the most prestigious and exciting one of all would be her first Vogue Paris cover in November of 2017 photographed by Inez and Vinoodh.

It is the last thing on my mind
Still you would not let things unwind
Spinning tight around your head
Can’t you hear a word I said
I ain’t telling you a secret
I ain’t’ telling you goodbye

“It’s unbelievable – a dream come true.” Talking about her first cover for Vogue Paris:

“It’s the magazine of all magazines. The quality is always very high, it’s very chic whilst also being very modern, and knows how to surprise you every time.”

As unforgettable as Rianne’s editorial and commercial work is, her work in fashion shows are probably her most prolific. According to Models.com, Rianne has appeared in 149 shows and has walked for everyone from Chanel, Valentino, Chloe, Saint Laurent, Versace, Fendi, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs, Ralph Lauren, among many others.

“Now that I can walk all four cities and get to work with such exciting people—photographers, stylists, designers—I just want to do and experience as much as I can.”

Along with working with some of the most talented photographers in fashion like Juergen Teller , Patrick Demarchelier and Jamie Hawkeswort, Rianne was nominated Model of the Year in 2016, runner up for Model of the Year 2019 and according to Models.com is already considered a top 50 model in the industry.

When you call it is just not fair
It is the last thing you should share
If I can’t deal; I’ll let you know still
I wish you’d let it go
I ain’t telling you a secret
I ain’t telling you goodbye

Rianne’s quasi New York City, Ramones, punk rock flare and preferred go to jeans, t-shirt, and leather jacket, is probably the furthest thing you would consider when thinking of a top model today, especial in a world of Kylie Jenners and Kaia Gerbers.

Yet Rianne still stands out among designers and fans alike with a far smaller social media following and rarely being mentioned by mainstream outlets. Rianne has this Sissy Spacek, Lillian Gish, classical, mature look about herself. She can be Grunge, punk, quirky, and haute couture all at the same time.

“Describe yourself in five words: Weird, giggly and available.”

On the runway, she has one of the most commanding struts you will ever see, but there’s times she has a more calmer walk. She has such a look of intensity and hyper-focus, it’s like everything is tuned out and she’s in perfect character. She really likes to show the emotion in her eyes like how she described Kate Moss and it’s really captivating.

Rianne also loves acting and the idea of transforming yourself. “Fashion allows you to transform and see yourself in a new light.” You can see how she applies her talent for acting in her modeling work, especially her fashion covers which in my opinion are the best in the industry.

I just love all the creative qualities that Rianne brings to modeling. She can be as goth, punk, classical, and high fashion as she wants. It’s hard to match her creativity and passion. She has all the colorfulness of a Dr. Seuss character and just as cool as a Tim Burton character like Lydia Deetz from Beetlejuice.

I’m telling you for one last time
It is not just you; the problem is mine to hide
I waited as long as I could if you need it, sure
I would, that is fine

“Fall [talking about her favorite season]. It’s so melancholy. Every year, it reminds me that another year has gone by, and that it’ll never come back.”

When Rianne isn’t being a phenomenal model, she enjoys sleeping, eating Japanese food, dancing, and hanging with her friends and boyfriend. And when it comes to a personal mantra, Rianne asserts that motivating yourself and fearlessly following your dreams is key.

“You can do whatever you dream of. You just need to be determined and not be scared to go all the way. Get up, get out, motivate yourself and be inspired. What are you waiting for?”

Outside of Karmen Pedaru, I don’t think there’s another model quite like Rianne with such intensity and passion. If this were the 70s punk era, Luna Bijl would probably be the Ramones while Rianne van Rompaey be closer to the Clash or the Damned. Rianne is such a special model for this generation and a tremendous creative force.

In a tumultuous month of January, one model from the Netherlands who’s just as quirky as Robin Williams, and as intense as your favorite hardcore punk band, proves there’s plenty of fight and heart left out there. A Superlove who’s totally fab and never drab, as cool and creative as she wants to be, Rianne van Rompaey!