From New York to Paris, supermodel Jessica Stam has enjoyed a steady career as a successful international model, walking the runways for some of the biggest names in fashion. With her doe eyed peepers and doll-like features, she has landed the most sought after designer campaigns and nabbed the honor of having a Marc Jacobs bag named after her.
Osman Ahmed chatted with the supermodel about her modeling career and future plans… and her top beauty secrets!
Tell us a bit about the projects that you've been working on recently.
Over the last couple of years I have been doing design collaborations with shoe company Repetto, Rag & Bone and Rachel Roy for Macy's. I am also the current face of the perfume Ricci by Nina Ricci and the autumn/winter '11 campaign for Mercedes-Benz.
What is so special about a Mercedes-Benz car?
What makes Mercedes-Benz the ultimate in a luxury vehicle is the way it drives, the way the interior and exterior are designed for function and fashion, and the power of controlling the vehicle from behind the wheel.
What are your top five essential tips to surviving the fashion week season?
– Drink lots of water
– Plenty of sleep
– Know that you don't have to go to every party/event
– Always go shopping beforehand and get a few new looks
– Pick up a good book before fashion week starts so that in your downtime backstage you have something to do. I’m currently reading “Bad Monkeys” by Matt Ruff.
What is your skincare routine?
Cleanser (One Love Organics Foaming Cleanser), Toner (Kahina Giving Beauty Toning Mist), Eye Cream (Kahina Giving Beauty Eye Cream), Moisturizer (Antonia Burrell Crème Supreme Moisturizer).
I only use water in the morning, and at night I use a cleanser to get off all the makeup of the day. I also try to fit in a facial once a month and make sure it has micro-dermabrasion to exfoliate.
Which shows do you enjoy walking for the most? And why?
Anna Sui in New York because the clothes are so cute and I have been doing it for so long that Anna is like my family. Giles in London because I have been doing his show since he first broke into the scene and he is so talented and a pleasure to work with. Prada in Milan because it is the epitome of Italian fashion and it is such a prestigious show to be a part of. Louis Vuitton in Paris because it has the best energy being the last show of Paris Fashion Week and Marc [Jacobs] is always delightful.
Who are the new faces in modeling that you admire the most?
Charlotte Free is really interesting and pretty – I love her hair color.
Which designer do you most enjoy wearing?
Azzedine Alaïa
If you could choose one of your greatest memories from your modeling career, what would it be?
One of my greatest memories of my modeling career would be a photo shoot I did for British Vogue styled by Charlotte Stockdale. We traveled to Alaska on a cruise ship for 8 days and we got off in each small town and got to take a helicopter to the top of a glacier, which must have been the most adventurous shoot of my career thus far!
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue modeling, see what other opportunities arise and to eventually have a family.
