In Constance Jablonski’s first trip ever to Madrid, she graces the cover and pages of Harper’s Bazaar February 2021 issue in an extravagant display of Madrid inspired fashion with plenty of sombrero and roses! Constance is decked out in some of the latest pieces by HERMÈS, ISABEL MARANT, BVLGARI, Chloe, Prada, Fendi, Christian Louboutin, Chanel, Miu Miu, etc. The title “A Red Idyll” is more than appropriate as there’s plenty of passionate reds throughout to emphasis all of the romance of Spain in February. In the article on Harper’s Bazaar, Constance revisits her amazing career, while marveling at how the fashion industry has changed as well as her with it.
Before all the glitz and glam of runway life and gracing the covers some of most famous fashion magazines in the world, Luna Bijl, from the small Dutch town of Strijen, was a not so unusual teenager who contrary to her future phenomenon status, enjoyed the carefree life, spending time with her father doing motocross and leading a normal life as a high schooler:
“I did motocross and was always playing outside. I never thought of myself as a pretty girl. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do after I finished high school and, as I got older, I also got much taller and people suggested that I give modeling a go.”
Although constantly approached by modeling scouts at an early age and egged on by others, Luna’s heart wasn’t really into the prospects of the fashion biz. “I didn’t like the whole modeling thing at all at first,” she admits. “I was a real tomboy and I didn’t find myself beautiful – quite the opposite, actually – and I just thought, I don’t think I want to do this.”
But Luna’s mind was changed when she viewed a Channel 4 Docuseries called The Model Agency of the famed Premier Model Management where cameras showed the unglamerous realities of models in the fashion industry. Although already signed with a local agency in Rotterdam, Luna and her father were so moved by the series that they decided to email co-founder of Premier, Carole White, in hopes of revitalizing Luna’s seemingly bleak modeling prospects:
Roman candles that burn in the night Yeah, you are a shining light You lit a torch in the infinite Yeah, you are a shining light Yeah, you light up my life
You have always been a thorn in their side But to me you’re a shining light You arrive and the night is alive Yeah, you are a shining light Yeah, you light up my life
“My father and I were so enthusiastic that we spontaneously decided to send her an email to sign up. It didn’t work out in Rotterdam – maybe in London.”
We made a connection A full-on chemical reaction Brought by dark divine intervention Yeah, you are a shining light A constellation once seen Over Royal David’s city An epiphany, you burn so pretty Yeah, you are a shining light
That brave email would reach Premier and at just 15 years old, Luna would chart a course to stardom when she boarded a plane to London with her father to meet Carole. The famed founder immediately saw promise in Luna and took time to patiently develop the young talent. “Luna is a very special model,” says White. “I’d compare her to the classic ’90s supermodels in that she’s got a tremendously beautiful face and she looks fit and healthy – she’s not a stick.”
A calculated long game, Luna, her father, and Premier agreed to base her modeling around her studies, ensuring she could graduate high school and enjoy a teenage life. Around 17 years old, Luna relocated to New York where she shared an apartment with five other girls. With a 15 euro Primark bag, MetroCard, and wearing Nikes, Luna went from audition to audition in hopes of establishing herself.
That summer Luna began to reap the fruits of her labor, walking for major names like Polo Ralph Lauren, Alberta Ferretti, Etro, Philosophy, Dolce & Gabbana, Isabel Marant, Trussardi, and Vivienne Westwood. The following year, Luna would make a grand debut, doing some of her first major editorial work for Vogue Australia, Vogue Netherlands, and Vogue España.
You are a force, you are a constant source Yeah, you are a shining light Incandescent in the darkest night Yeah, you are a shining light My mortal blood I would sacrifice For you are a shining light Sovereign bride of the infinite Yeah, you are a shining light Yeah, you light up my life
That same year, Luna became the face of mega Italian luxury brand Emporio Armani, second brand of of the Armani family, photographed by none other than Lachlan Bailey. She also did advertising work for AllSaints, Express, Zara, and Mango. Even with that level of success the best was yet to come, when Luna became the first model ever to land two VOGUE PARIS COVERS IN THE SAME YEAR for the August and October 2016 issues, both photographed by David Sims!
Luna ended her prolific year in fashion, walking for colossal brands like Jean Paul Gaultier Michael Kors, Fendi, Moschino, Alexander Wang, Chloe, Chanel, Stella McCartney, John Galliano, Miu Miu, Louis Vuitton, even closing for Redemption. With Luna finally having brand recognition, she could go as far as her ambition and love for the job would take her. “My name is now established. Now it is the art of staying at the top for as long as possible.”
Today Luna is one of the most in demand top models around, having over 20 fashion covers, 17 alone being for Vogue magazine. She’s walked in hundreds of shows, opening and closing for the late Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel, while dazzling in ads for Philosophy, Michael Kors, Chanel Eyewear, Tom Ford ‘Eau de Soleil Blanc’ Fragrance, H&M, and Hugo Boss!
We made a connection A full-on chemical reaction Brought by dark divine intervention Yeah, you are a shining light A constellation once seen Over Royal David’s city An epiphany, you burn so pretty Yeah, you are a shining light
Along with working with industry leading photographers like Cass Bird, Lachlan Bailey, David Sims, Mario Sorrenti, Liz Collins, Chris Colls, Carlijn Jacobs, Luigi & Lango, and Nathanial Goldbeg, Luna Bijl had the honor of working with the late Peter Lindbergh for the star studded Vogue Germany July 2019 issue featuring Luna, Vittoria Ceretti, and best friend, Birgit Kos!
When it comes to the world of high fashion modeling, I don’t think there’s anyone else quite like Luna Bijl. She has a classic ’90s supermodel feel like a Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer with natural talent bordering on Linda Evangelista level of depth. Luna is probably one of the most photogenic models I have ever seen. Even without having knowledge of her impressive portfolio, with a Google image search, any casual modeling fan can see how phenomenal of a talent Luna is.
Luna has incredible range. She can be sultry but in a sophisticated, mature way. She can emote exceptionally well; no one shows a smile or laugh the way Luna can. She can be as innovative and avant-garde as anyone like her own fashionably buoyant van Gogh:
These are the days you often say There’s nothing that we cannot do Beneath a canopy of stars I’d shed blood for you The north star in the firmament You shine the most bright I’ve seen you draped in a electric veil Shrouded in celestial light
“I never expected it, but I really like shooting photographs. The moment I get in front of the subject, I am in a different world. I love creating a picture that people will look at for hours and which will make them think. I would never allow myself to not do my best at a shoot because I really care about what I do. If people put their trust in me I don’t want them to regret it!”
And when it comes to professionalism and work ethic, Luna Bijl undoubtedly ranks at the top of the list. Even Carole White praises Luna level of commitment, using the word “stoicism” when describing Luna: “Even if she’s tired from traveling, she’ll give her absolute best, and I’ve never – not once – heard her complain about another model. Which is rare, I can tell you!”
When Luna isn’t lighting up the runways or setting fire to the covers of Vogue, she’s no doubt chillin’ somewhere in a leather jacket, practically living in her favorite sweatpants, kickin’ it in a pair of Nike’s which she will readily admit she has too many pairs to count. Luna is also hilariously clumsy, famously cracking a bathtub in a fancy Amsterdam hotel. She can be unorganized as well, comically remarking, “Life of Luna” in her mishaps.
From the roaring engines lacing the brake fluid, gasoline, and dirt tracks of her motocross haven, to a lone MetroCard, going to auditions in her Nike’s in hopes of a dream, to being Karl Lagerfeld’s favorite model, Luna Bijl is a bright and tremendous force in the world of fashion. Like some effervescent cosmic body, Luna can’t help but enamor others with her candor and creative force. An imperfect, perfect model, haphazardly walking to her own tune, drowning out all the gloom, leaving love and all that’s bright in her wake, Luna Bijl; named like the celestial moon.
Missing the good ol’ days of cinema and movie-going, the people of Vogue Polska decided to dedicate an issue to fashion and film, featuring Polish acting stars like Magdalena Koleśnik, Maja Ostaszewska, and famed costume designer Anna B. Sheppard. The cover star Birgit Kos channels her inner movie star for the feature and delivers glamorous looks from pinup golden age Hollywood, Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct, and even late 80s Linda Evangelista with Peter Lindbergh! There’s a little Siouxsie and the Banshees in there, too, but that’s just be me (lol). But this is such a cool cover and discussion to start off the year for Vogue Polska and they couldn’t have picked a more fitting model to highlight the wonders of cinema than Birgit! Photography by Sonia Szostak, Fashion Director Karla Gruszecka. Source Vogue.pl and Models.com
Happy birthday to the coolest model around and just an all around amazing person! Last year, the year that will remain nameless (lol) wouldn’t have been tolerable without Rianne Van Rompaey. I always look forward to her modeling, whether it’s doing a show for Chanel, gracing the cover of Vogue, campaign work, or just a cool project with Inez & Vinoodh, Rianne brings so much fun and excitement to fashion.
I know Rianne is on her way to being one of the greats. I never thought there would be a model that could embody all the coolness of the Pixies, Missy Elliott, or even a Tim Burton movie lol. But Rianne Van Rompaey is so awesomely fly, that she just has her own stratosphere of being. The world is so lucky to have her, and it’s so awesome more people are starting to take notice of who Rianne is. I hope your birthday is special and you have many for years to come.
With inimitable class, style, beauty, and grace, Karen Mulder possessed a candor and kindness that was so uncommon for her success and time. Owing to her small town Dutch roots and unostentatious upbringing in Vlaardingen, Netherlands, Karen adopted a down-to-earth disposition and a seize the day world view that kept her grounded throughout her career:
“I had a really nice childhood without worries and that gave me certain principles in life that I think you would only learn as a child; you would not learn them in the fashion business.”
Though not having any grandiose ambitions of her own from an early age, she knew that a white-collar profession was not something she wanted to aspire to: “My parents always have very different ideas about what I should become than I had, so kind of as a child you’re being pushed toward this very serious direction. My father would have loved for me to be an accountant, ‘Oh, fabulous.’”
I don’t know what it is that makes me feel alive I don’t know how to wake the things that sleep inside I only wanna see the light that shines behind your eyes
I hope that I can say the things I wish I’d said To sing my soul to sleep and take me back to bed Who wants to be alone when we can feel alive instead
As a teen Karen was very thin, tall, had short hair, wore braces, and never thought of herself as anything remotely beautiful: “I spent hours at the table with my mother who tried to feed me. Finally, I hid the food under the plate. My hair was cut short, I looked like a basketball player, says Karen. “I was horribly self-conscious, I told myself that when I was rich I would make myself redo everything.”
Because we need each other We believe in one another And I know we’re going to uncover What’s sleepin’ in our soul Because we need each other We believe in one another I know we’re going to uncover What’s sleepin’ in our soul What’s sleepin’ in our soul
Despite Karen feeling horribly self-conscious and deploring her looks, she was fascinated by all things fashion, constantly looking at and being absorbed in fashion magazines, where she would happen upon Elite’s Look of the Year contest:
“They saw me [her friends] looking at this fashion magazine all the time with this contest in it and I just couldn’t put it away because I was always fascinated by everything fashion, beauty, and hair products, and I was just absorbed in this thing the whole time and they were like, ‘Karen I think we’re going to have to send some pictures!’”
There are many things that I would like to know And there are many places that I wish to go But everything’s depending on the way the wind may blow
With Karen’s short cut, braces, and lanky frame, she could never fathom winning or even competing in something as glamorous as Elite’s Look of the Year contest, yet while away on vacation, friends submitted snapshots of her to the agency. Like a dream, Karen was selected, came in second place, and landed a modeling contract. Although Karen was apprehensive about smiling because of her braces, she couldn’t help but feel her strange smile aided her in the end.
I don’t know what it is that makes me feel alive I don’t know how to wake the things that sleep inside I only want to see the light that shines behind your eyes
“I feel like I’m a very lucky person, I’ve worked hard but it’s not like I ever had to suffer to get something, it’s always kind of happened like this.” Relocated to the city of Monaco, Karen for the next few years would be featured in editorials for Grazia, Marie Claire, L’Officiel, Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Glamour, Madame Figaro, and landing covers for ELLE and Cosmopolitan in the late 1980s.
In 1990, Karen would finally start to experience major success as she graced Miss Vogue, did ad work for Chanel and Christian Dior, while walking for some of the biggest names like Givenchy, Christian Dior, Hermes, Karl Lagerfeld, and John Galliano! Even with all her early success, Karen’s star was only going to soar higher in the following year! By 1991, Karen Mulder hit superstardom, landing her first of five Vogue covers of the year, walking for everyone from Alberta Ferretti, Chanel, Chloe, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Giorgio Armani, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Nina Ricci, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, Ralph Lauren, and Giannie Versace iconic Fall/Winter 1991 show.
In the same year, she also did major ads for for Calvin Klein, Gianfranco Ferre, Giorgio Armani, Max Mara, Valentino, Versace, Yves St Laurent, and probably her most acclaimed feat of the year, landing a contract with GUESS Jeans which further cemented her ascension! By the end of 1991, Karen had appeared in over 50 fashion, graced multiple Vogue covers, and appeared in one of the most iconic fashion editorials of the 90s, “Wild at Heart” photographed by the one and only Peter Lindbergh!
For the next couple of years, Karen would dazzle in ads for Trussardi, Ralph Lauren, Genny, Chloe, Jacques Fath, Revlon, Celine, Versace, and numerous times for Yves St Laurent. Karen also walked in the wildly popular annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show from 1996 to 2000. The year 1997 would serve as Karen’s swan song in the world of high fashion, where she once again graced the runways for such names as Christian Dior, Herve Leger, and John Galliano. She was even featured in Sports Illustrated photographed by Andre Rau.
In just a decade, Karen Mulder achieved what most could only dream of in the world of a top fashion model, accumulating some 200 magazine covers, being featured in ads for some of the most recognized fashion brands like Calvin Klein, GUESS, and Max Mara, while illuminating in iconic fashion shows in the 1990s like Versace, Chanel, Prada, and Thierry Mugler!
Although she didn’t have the repute or longevity of some of her contemporaries of the era, outside of Linda Evangelista, Karen Mulder is easily my favorite supermodel of all time. I loved Karen’s style and personality more than anything. She had such a cool femme fatale vibe, yet she had such an air of intelligence and sophistication. It’s no wonder she was regarded as a cinematic beauty and dubbed “The Blonde with Class.” Or as Valentino once enthusiastically said:
‘She touches the essence of what femininity is. She’s just out of this world!’
As impressive as Karen’s entire modeling body of work was from editorials, magazine covers, and campaigns, her runway work is by far my favorite and it’s were Karen most shined. Her walk was like an effortless glide with playful seductiveness. She had such poise, masterfully accentuating every look and every angle. Her whole aura exuded vivacious charm and self-assuredness. She was the star of her own motion picture.
“When I’m on the stage I feel like I’m somebody else, I’m not me, I like to pretend I’m somebody else.”
From her most iconic looks from the runways of Chloe, Christian Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Chloe, Karl Lagerfeld, Lanvin, Nina Ricci, Valentino, and Versace, like her idol Catherine Deneuve, Karen majestically radiated like some Sin City meets monochromatic silver-screen come to life.
Because we need each other We believe in one another And I know we’re going to uncover What’s sleepin’ in our soul Because we need each other We believe in one another I know we’re going to uncover What’s sleepin’ in our soul What’s sleepin’ in our soul
Even with her hardships over the years, Karen as a person was so extraordinary. Editors, designers, agents, and writers alike, marveled at her work ethic, professionalism, kindness, and honesty. You can see clips on YouTube where she readily takes quips at fashion, being a supermodel, and fame, yet she’s so personable in talks and is so welcoming to reporters and fans.
“I am a good person, very easy to deal with, who lives and lets live. It is very important not to judge people too early. I could not have a distant and arrogant attitude towards someone I do not know. I think that everything we do in life ends up having an impact on ourselves sooner or later. If you are nice to others, it is easier for them to be with you.”
Karen’s story is almost unbelievable. Like Mike Tyson or even Peyton Manning, she came from nowhere, but once Karen caught fire, people couldn’t help but be drawn to her magnetic poise and once in a lifetime talent. And true to form, Karen couldn’t see herself as any more special or different from anyone else: “I’m just me.”
Karen Mulder was such a remarkable person. When I think of a supermodel, I think of Karen Mulder. In no time at all, she achieved so much, while personifying true kindness and humility. It’s one thing to be able to sell covers of magazines, fragrances, and designer clothes with one’s beauty, and it’s another to actuate love, kindness, and inspiration.
Oscar Wilde once said, “The only difference between the saint and the sinner is that every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” But Karen Mulder is just Supersonic to me.
Super Love Unknown 
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