MANILA, Philippines - In the world of fashion and beauty, a certain charisma elevates an upstart to the status of a supermodel. Jessica Stam has earned that distinction. From Canada, the land that gave us Linda Evangelista, Shalom Harlow and Daria Werbowy, Jessica Stam’s much-vaunted effervescence catapulted her to modeling’s top hierarchy.
Born in Kincardine, outside Toronto, she was discovered at the age of 15 at a local Tim Hortons coffee shop by Michèle Miller, an agent at the International Model Management agency in Barrie, Ontario.
The 24-year-old blonde, blue-eyed, 5’10” doll-like looker also dabbles in music. A passionate sing-along rocker, she is always seen at concerts of her favorite band, The Virgins. Oh yes, she also used to date DJ A.M. Her love for music makes Stam’s runway strut much more effortless.
Stam, as she is fondly known in the industry, earned her stripes by joining the 2002 L.A. Model Look, appearing in blue-chip campaigns as the face for Nina Ricci’s Ricci Ricci, Bulgari, Fendi and Christian Dior Beauty, gracing international magazine covers (Chinese Elle, Japanese and Korean Numero, French and Italian Vogue and the inaugural Vogue Turkey) and burning runway miles on catwalks, specifically Jean Paul Gaultier and Christian Dior’s Fall 2010 couture show in Paris.
An editorial darling, Stam has worked with every powerful photographer since Steven Meisel acknowledged her as one of his muses. Barely a year after her emergence on the fashion radar, she snagged the Miu Miu campaign shot by Mario Testino. She has since posed for Luke Worrell for V, Steven Klein and Arthur Elgort for several Vogue editorials, Mert Alas and Marcus Piggott for Giorgio Armani’s Onde fragrance campaign, Solve Sundsbo for an Italian Vogue editorial, and Peter Lindbergh for Harper’s Bazaar.
But her most exciting and massive collaboration to date is with the legendary Terry Richardson for the Aldo 2010 spring/summer and fall/winter campaigns. It makes beautiful sense that a Canadian company would be represented by a Canadian supermodel. Stam is perfect for the brand’s light, fun and youthful vibe.
For Aldo’s fall/winter 2010 campaign, Stam is dressed in the season’s four key trends. First, Jessica travels back to the past in earth-toned and vintage-inspired footwear that represents an overall feeling of coziness, the primary look evoked by the American Heritage trend. Details such as fur and shearling ensure that the hiking inspiration is well-represented. She accessorizes by wearing leather-like animal brooches that seem to be hand-me-downs from her mother. The overall comfy jukebox look perfectly complements Stam as music is one of her passions.
Second, Jessica Stam is the perfect Military Academy cadette — heavy eyeliner draws attention to her blue eyes while the military green jacket hugs her curves perfectly. For Aldo’s campaign, Stam dons piles of leather and chain bracelets which are perfect go-to-accessories for those who are not huge fans of the trend’s popular biker boots with buckle and stud details. Hats, decorated with military badges and pins, are also key items for the overall tough girl look to be complete.
Third, Stam is transformed into a perfect Victorian Wonderland lady. Velvet is the key material present in evening footwear, clutch bags and hair accessories. Jessica Stam is not afraid to flaunt her supermodel assets in lingerie-inspired dresses and lace hair accessories that scream “look at me.” Cocktail rings, as worn by Stam, can also make the simplest dress turn fabulous. A pair of satin or lace gloves underneath the cocktail rings make the look more chic.
Last, Jessica advances to the future of design through the Galactic Minimalism trend. Her overall look is polished — clean lines and architectural-inspired footwear in the form of bandage straps and platform wedges made of nubuck and elastic. Geometric-inspired necklaces and earrings draw attention to the face while over-the-knee boots will become one’s perfect companion during the chilly holiday nights in Manila or abroad. Simply put, the supermodel shows us that the Galactic Minimalism trend is bringing fashionistas back to the basics.
This season, Aldo brings to Manila the major trends, as pioneered by supermodel Jessica Stam. With the brand’s fashionable and youthful vibe, one does not have to become a supermodel to rock this season’s exciting new looks as footwear, handbags and accessories are readily available at any Aldo and Aldo Accessories store.
Aldo stores are located Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Power Plant Mall, Robinsons Place Ermita, Robinsons Galleria, Shangri-la Plaza. SM City Cebu, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, The Block at SM North EDSA, TriNoma and Marquee Mall (sale shop). For the hippest accessories, visit Aldo Accessories at Bonifacio High Street, Greenbelt 5, Robinsons Ermita and TriNoma.