Model Roos Abels might walk for the world’s biggest designers, but she stays grounded through family and nature
Debuting exclusively for the Prada catwalk show during Milan Fashion Week is seen as a rite of passage for any model due a stellar future. The industry pays attention and this accolade has launched the careers of Karolina Kurkova, Sasha Pivovarova, Gemma Ward and Roos Abels, our current cover star.
The Dutch model, who has since walked the catwalk for Chanel (20 times to be exact), Versace, Fendi, Lanvin, Chloé, Louis Vuitton and Celine, amongst many; and appeared on the cover of W, Love and Vogue France, Italia, Australia and China, was discovered by model-turned-scout Kim Akkerman, in a supermarket in her hometown of Purmerend at the age of 13.
“It’s funny because I was talking to a little kid, because I love kids,” she explains. “The child’s mum said, ‘Are you model?’ I looked at my mum and was like, ‘What does she mean, are you a model?’ And it all started from there.”
When Roos’ mother mentioned the meeting to a colleague, whose cousin worked at Brave Model Management, she suggested that Roos fly to Milan to meet her. “I remember it so well, it was raining,” she laughs. “I went with my dad and it was my first time in Milan. I didn’t know what was happening. I was a little scared, but at least my dad was with me.” The agency signed her immediately.
It was whilst in Milan that Roos (pronounced Rose) had the game-changing Prada casting. “I didn’t even know what Prada was,” she admits. “And the agency had to explain what a casting was to me.” In preparation for the meeting, a model booker gave her a black outfit and heels and told her to practice her walk.
“They put me in a room and said, ‘OK, we’re going to come back in half an hour and then you can show us your walk’. I was like, ‘Yeah, sure’. The second they closed the door I sat down because I thought, I am not going to walk up and down this room. To me it didn’t feel such a big deal.”
Luckily it wasn’t and the casting was a success. She had a hair and make-up test, which she really enjoyed. “It was all a lot of fun, because I didn’t know the pressure behind it and I wasn’t expecting anything. I think some girls dream of becoming a model and maybe become disappointed because they see what could happen and that’s not happening to
