7 Models Turned Designers

Being a model, opportunities to try out other lines of work can present themselves. While some turn to acting or art, others have proven themselves quite talented at fashion design, either through their own business ventures or by collaborating with a store. Kate Moss' line for Topshop was always very successful, while Elle Macpherson's lingerie line is now over 20 years old and still going strong. Many of these models have learned to translated their own personal style into a piece they've designed, such as Abbey Lee Kershaw, who has created her own personalized crystal ring for 'Mania Mania'.


Elle Macpherson

Elle Macpherson launched her lingerie line, 'Elle Macpherson Intimates' in 1990, and it's success continues to burgeon ever since. She also was inspired to create an innovative maturity bra after she gave birth to her second child.


Anja Rubik
Anja Rubik has been teaming up with Polish accessories label 'Quazi' for limited collections for several seasons running, creating designer inspired footwear, bags and accessories. She also stars in the campaign for each collection.


Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum has had numerous ventures into the fashion design world. She created a screen print t-shirt for the US Open in 2008, and in 2010 she launched two maturnity lines - Lavish by Heidi Klum for A Pea in the Pod, and Loved by Heidi Klum for Motherhood Maternity. Explaining why she chose maturnity wear, Klum commented: "I experienced fashion challenges during my four pregnancies and combined my knowledge of what works in terms of style, comfort and practicality to create these lines". She has also worked with New Balance on a range of activewear which now includes trainers. 


Georgia May Jagger 
Georgia May Jagger was first enlisted by denim company Hudson to front their campaign in 2009, but after it was so successful, they invited her back to design for them. Georgia created a 20-piece denim collection for the label. She spoke on the collaboration at the time to WWD, stating that she was surprised they would give her such an amazing oppourtunity: "I’m really surprised that so early in my career they allowed me to do this dream, design my own stuff, the Hudson people approached me about doing the line. They asked me to get my inspirations together. I got a bunch of pictures and vintage jeans of my mom’s, and I did some sketches — I do art, so they weren’t that bad, but they weren’t amazing [laughs]. I wrote a lot of details and notes on them. My jeans are a totally different cut than the usual Hudson jeans. It’s a stretch denim and a higher cut on the hip, which I like because I’m a bit shorter, so I like that elongated leg thing."   


Abbey Lee Kershaw
Abbey Lee Kershaw worked alongside Australian jewellery company 'Mania Mania' to create the 'Abbey Lee' ring. She built upon the company's bestselling 'Immortals' design which was first created by Tamila Purvis and Melanie Kamsler and was inspired by the 1973 film 'Holy Mountain', giving the chunky ring a new twist. She commented: “I was completely fixated on Melanie’s fingers, I’m a serious jewelry addict, and chunky rings are my favorite.”


Karen Elson 
The Karen Elson for Nine West Vintage America Collection launched in September this year. Karen designed a mixture of antique looking metal frame purses, heels, headwear and other accessories for the brand, taking inspiration from show girls and 1930's Dust Bowl. The story of her collection is told through three songs from Karen's album 'The Ghost Who Walks'.

Kate Moss

British model Kate Moss was one of the first models to land a major collaboration - she kicked off her design career by teaming up with high street store Topshop, who she worked with for several highly successful, sell-out seasons. Kate has also worked with Longchamp on a range of bags and her latest venture is with Parisian jewelers 'Fred' for whom she created a line of silver necklaces, earrings and more, some inspired by her tattoos.

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