The preternatural force of Kristen McMenamy
Kristen wears nipple covers LOU DE BÈTOLY, shorts ALL-IN and shoes and sunglasses SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO
We asked the original outsider supermodel about her daily routine, pre-runway rituals and advice for never second guessing yourself.
Style
Photography: Mark Borthwick
Styling: Danny Reed
Interview: Brooke McCord
Taken from the spring 24 print issue of THE FACE. Get your copy here.
Hi, Kristen! What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning?
I thank my higher power for giving me another day.
And the last thing before you go to bed at night?
I thank God for giving me another day, then read 10 pages from my book, put the pillows in place and fall asleep.
What’s your go-to tea?
Black tea with my favourite soy milk from this Australian brand, Bonsoy.
What’s the last book you read?
Stay True by Hua Hsu. I have now moved onto reading Shelley: The Pursuit by Richard Holmes, a biography of Percy Shelley.
Who would play you in a biopic?
Miss Fame, an American model and drag queen who portrays me very well!
What would it be called?
Final Drag.
What do you wish your 18-year-old self knew back then?
That I was good. That I should trust in my intuition and select the right people to surround myself with and listen to.
Have you ever done anything you regret?
Giving away some of my archive Versace and Alexander McQueen pieces.
What do you regret not doing?
Not keeping up with some of the people in the fashion world [who were] closest to me and impacted my career, who sadly have now passed away.
Have you ever had any pre-runway rituals?
Before getting on that runway, I touch my toes, close my eyes and escape to my zone.
Are there any hairstyles you look back on and think, “What was that all about?”
NO. I love them all.
Dress and donut RICK OWENS and shoes STEFAN COOKE
What’s the secret to eternal happiness?
Eternal happiness, to me, is not depending on anything outside of you. When you’re influenced by your own choices and not distracted by external factors, it’s easier to not become bitter or upset by anything outside of your control. It’s simply exploring your own path, whilst being guided by a higher power and yourself.
What keeps you feeling young?
Giving myself time to sleep and my practice of pilates.
Who’s the most interesting person in your phone book?
Karl Lagerfeld.
And the best dressed?
Amanda Harlech.
What are your beauty rituals?
I scrub my face every night with a pre-facial scrub. Following that, I use very simple creams with minimal ingredients. Last step is a night mask by Sisley that I leave on whilst I sleep.
Which fashion show holds the most special place in your memory?
Gianni Versace Couture. I felt the most in control of my presence, and it was the time that I felt the most in the moment. I stomped down the stage and felt like a SUPERSTAR.
Which photographer makes you feel a million dollars?
Steven Meisel. The way he treats you is the most honest and genuine energy. He treats a woman the way she would like to be treated and makes you feel so special.
Top Y/PROJECT
Top Y/PROJECT
If you could only dress in one fashion label for the rest of your life, which would it be?
It would have to be a Chanel dress, because it’s consistent and continues to be my go to.
What’s the rarest thing in your wardrobe?
It would be an Alexander McQueen tuxedo jacket.
What’s the most recent addition?
A pair of Azzedine Alaïa silver ballet shoes.
What’s your biggest vice?
I love to eat with my fingers! Not so much a vice as it is a guilty pleasure.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Go for it! Don’t second guess yourself! I have used it through my whole career and it has helped me remain true to myself.
What should we always remember?
You are who you are, so accept and make the best of your situation. You have everything you need to be the best version.
Top DURAN LANTINK, briefs (worn throughout) stylist’s own and shoes GIVENCHY
Top DURAN LANTINK, briefs (worn throughout) stylist’s own and shoes GIVENCHY
Underwear and socks stylist’s own, hat BLESS PARIS and dress as sculpture BALENCIAGA
Dress BALENCIAGA and hat BLESS PARIS
Dress BALENCIAGA and hat BLESS PARIS
Dress, hat, scarf and shoes ALAÏA
Top Y/PROJECT and dress (worn underneath) ANDREAS KRONTHALER FOR VIVIENNE WESTWOOD
Dress BALMAIN, shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK and hood JAMES PINK STUDIO
Dress ALL-IN, shoes STEFAN COOKE and socks stylist’s own
Dress and headpiece PAM HOGG and bag GIVENCHY
Hoodie and scarf VAQUERA and shoe MANOLO BLAHNIK
Dress ALL-IN, shoes STEFAN COOKE and socks stylist’s own
Dress ALL-IN, shoes STEFAN COOKE and socks stylist’s own
Jacket BLESS PARIS
Dress 1000MORCEAUX, shoes VAQUERA and hat JAMES PINK STUDIO
Dress and headpiece PAM HOGG and bag GIVENCHY
Dress and headpiece PAM HOGG and bag GIVENCHY
Dress BLESS PARIS
Dress BLESS PARIS
Dress and jumper (worn over shoulders) BLESS PARIS, shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK, hair clips stylist’s own and tights TYT M8
Dress and jumper (worn over shoulders) BLESS PARIS, shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK, hair clips stylist’s own and tights TYT M8
Top stylist’s own and trousers and shoes BLESS PARIS
Jacket GIVENCHY, shoes VAQUERA and hat ASHLEY WILLIAMS
Top Y/PROJECT, belt BLESS PARIS and shoes LOUIS VUITTON
Sleeves BLESS PARIS and shoes MANOLO BLAHNIK
Jumper and dress MIU MIU, shoes STEFAN COOKE and sunglasses SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO
Robe and shoes BLESS PARIS
Trousers HODAKOVA and bra and briefs stylist’s own
Dress DURAN LANTINK
Trousers HODAKOVA
Trousers HODAKOVA
Trousers HODAKOVA and bra stylist’s own
Trousers HODAKOVA and bra stylist’s own
Dress DURAN LANTINK
Dress DURAN LANTINK
Dress DURAN LANTINK
Dresses, jumper and shoes PRADA and sunglasses BLESS PARIS
Dresses, jumper and shoes PRADA and sunglasses BLESS PARIS
Top STEFAN COOKE, belt PRADA, shorts stylist’s own and gloves TYT M8
Top STEFAN COOKE, belt PRADA, shorts stylist’s own and gloves TYT M8
CREDITS
HAIR Christian Eberhard MAKE-UP Adrien Pinault SET DESIGN Giovanna Martial CASTING Simone Schofer PHOTOGRAPHER ASSISTANT Jules Muir lighting TECH David Fanfani LIGHTING ASSISTANT Vincenzo Sassu STYLING ASSISTANT Zo. Minard-Li.vain HAIR ASSISTANT Arpat Abdimajit MAKE-UP ASSISTANT Alexandra Chaix SET ASSISTANT Antoine-Emmanuel Picot PRODUCER Amy Gallagher
