Paulina Porizkova

Modeling Appreciation

I must have been 11 or 12-years old when I learned about Paulina Porizkova. My older "brothers" talked about her and I remember watching her in the 1987 film, Anna. Of course, my little self fell in love. 

Born on April 9, 1965 in Czechoslovakia, the 5'10" model and actress Paulina Porizkova is best known for her iconic modeling career, and contributions to the fashion industry. In 1984, she became the first Central European woman, and youngest, to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. 

Her interest in modeling started at age 13 after her friend, who wanted to be a makeup artist, sent photographs to modeling agencies in Paris. Paulina was invited to Copenhagen to meet American modeling agent, John Casablancas. In an Instagram post, she recalled him asking her, "want to go to Paris?" And to Paris she did go.

Her first cover was for French magazine 20 Ans at the age of 15. She would then appear in Vogue [Germany] [UK] and other fashion publications before posing for Sports Illustrated in 1984. 

She then appeared in The Cars music video for Drive, a year later. There she met Ric Ocasek, the lead singer, and both were married on August 23, 1989. 

During the 1980s and 1990s, she has been featured in advertising campaigns for Chanel, Versace, Hermes, Christian Dior, Oscar De La Renta, Mikimoto, Perry Ellis, Laura Biagiotti, Anne Klein, Ellen Tracy, Barneys New York, Ann Taylor, Guerlain, and Revlon and appeared on the runway for Calvin Klein. She graced the covers of numerous publications such as Vogue, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Sports Illustrated, Self, and Glamour. 

In 1988, at the age of 22, Paulina was awarded the highest-paying modeling contract with Estée Lauder. After her contract ended in 1995, she received another multimillion-dollar contract with Escada. 

In addition to her successful modeling career, Paulina also made her mark in the world of entertainment. She appeared in several films, including Her Alibi and Anna, and was a judge on America’s Next Top Model for several seasons.

She remains a legendary figure in the fashion world, inspiring future generations with her talent, dedication, and advocacy for women’s rights and body positivity, as expressed in a recent Los Angeles Magazine issue where she bares it all.

by Jill Greenberg for Los Angeles Magazine (September 2021)

by Walter Iooss, Jr. for Sports Illustrated (c. 1982)

by Petra Hult (c.1978)

Sources: 

Wikipedia

https://www.instagram.com/p/BcEXpsAjwaI/

https://people.com/style/paulina-porizkova-poses-nude-calls-out-objectification-of-women/

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2021/04/14/paulina-porizkova-young/

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/15/style/paulina-porizkova.html

https://swimsuit.si.com/swimnews/paulina-porizkova-throwback-thursday-si-swimsuit

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