Roos Abels is part of a stellar list of models, including Karolina Kurkova, Sasha Pivovarova and Gemma Ward, who’s career was launched by walking exclusively for Prada.
The Hello! Fashion cover star has since appeared on the catwalk for Chanel, Versace, Fendi, Lanvin, Chloé, Louis Vuitton and Celine, amongst many; and on the cover of W, Love and Vogue France, Italia, Australia and China.
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Hello! Fashion Magazine - March 2023
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Roos (pronounced Rose) was discovered aged 13 by model-turned-scout Kim Akkerman, in a supermarket in her hometown of Purmerend, the Netherlands. Soon she was flying to Milan, accompanied by her dad, to meet with Brave Model Management, who signed her on the spot.
It was whilst there that Roos 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.”
Many of the girls she met at that first show have become lifelong friends. “After that, we did a lot together, it was so much fun. Now, when I do shows and I see all those girls I think, oh my God, we started all together, at the same time.”
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Dress, £2,830, Bag, £4,090, both Chanel Necklace, £5,050, Earrings, £5,050, Cuff, £3,380 (from a set), Bracelet, £1,970, Rings, £3,340 each, all Chanel Fine Jewellery
Being in high demand from the get-go, some fashion months she was doing 60 shows, which could see her walking up to five a day. “That was crazy. And in between I also had fittings, so it was chaos, but I did love it. It was almost like the adrenaline gave me energy.
“I would run backstage five minutes before it was due to start and they’d say, ‘Roos, you’re opening the show’. I wouldn’t do rehearsals because I didn’t have the time, but somehow it all ended up fine.”
Bodysuit, £2,350, Skirt, £8,265, Belt, £940, Boots, £2,525, all Chanel Necklaces (top), £2,220, (bottom), £5,050, Earrings, £5,550, Bracelet, £1,520, Rings (right hand), £4,600, (left hand, top), £2,540, (bottom), £1,410, all Chanel Fine Jewellery
For magazines and campaigns, Roos has been shot by big-name photographers including Patrick Demarchelier, Mario Sorrenti and Craig McDean, but, taking sound advice from her dad (she is very close to both parents) she never overthinks the magnitude of any situation. “He has always told me that we’re all human, we’re all the same.”
Also, in the future, as well as plans to open a family restaurant (she attended a culinary high school), if Roos does ever decide to stop modelling, she would like to use her experience to remain in the fashion world. “I think it makes sense, with all the knowledge I now have and how long I’ve been doing this. I could see myself doing production, because I’ve picked up so much.”
The full interview with Roos Abels appears in the March issue of Hello! Fashion, out now…
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