Our March Cover Models Are Makeup-Free!
No makeup. No Photoshop. No filter. Meet the up-and-coming Canadian models who are poised to conquer the fashion world
‐In‐Waiting: Sasha Hronis Hometown: Toronto Age: 19
Before Hronis was discovered while riding the subway home, her hair wet from swim practice, modelling was a distant fantasy. “From six years old, when the Victoria’s Secret catalogues would come in the mail, I would sit there thinking, Oh my god, these girls are so beautiful,” she recalls. (Candice Swanepoel is her idol.) Meanwhile, the caramel‐skinned beauty was bullied for being head‐and‐shoulders taller than the boys in her class. Now that she has walked at Toronto Fashion Week and will soon make her way to New York City for the fall 2015 collections, she’s the one laughing.
The Baby Face: Charlotte Mingay Hometown: Toronto Age: 17
Does the fashion world have any appetite for innocence these days? Sutherland Models in Toronto and Trump agency in New York City, where Mingay is also signed, are banking on a pendulum swing. The youngest of four girls (Dad is a lawyer, Mom an ex‐judge), the model has a round, infant‐broad forehead, small eyes and a pillowy pout that are a distinct departure from the brooding angularity of the rest of the pack. With one season of Toronto Fashion Week under her belt, you’ll have to wait until the spring 2017 collections to see Mingay on a grander scale—after she’s graduated from private school.
The Champ: Sophie Touchet Hometown: Gatineau, Que. Age: 20
It’s easy to see why the charmingly naïve, fiery‐headed Touchet recently won Best New Face at Canada’s P&G Beauty Awards. For her debut season last spring, the elfin beauty walked an impressive 43 shows, including Chanel’s haute grocery‐themed affair. Discovered while working at a Quebec Best Buy, Touchet had her first casting session in New York City—just weeks later—with legendary Vogue creative director and fellow redhead Grace Coddington. “I had no idea who she was, so I was just chill. She asked me if I was going to do fashion week, and I was like, ‘Do what?’”
The Comeback Kid: Shelby Furber Hometown: Scarborough, Ont. Age: 21
Never underestimate the power of a good haircut. Since Furber’s edgy mullet reboot courtesy of Luigi Murenu (hairstylist to Vogue, Louis Vuitton and Kate Moss) for Givenchy’s spring show, the delicate‐featured model, doing mostly “small jobs” for the past five years, suddenly catapulted to Next Big Thing status. “There were five or seven of us with exclusives, and we had to hide our hair leaving the office. Our phones were taken, and we had to sign an agreement not to show anyone.” FaceTiming with her mom was the only exception. Shortly after the fateful cut, casting agents for Paris couture week came calling.
The Illusionist: Jenna Lenfesty-Castilloux Hometown: Gaspé, Que. Age:19
Just seven months ago, Lenfesty‐Castilloux did her hairdresser a solid and modelled at a hair show. But this girl was different from the others. Her dozy (in a good way) gaze drew attention, and soon she was scouted for a worldwide runway exclusive of the highest order: Saint Laurent. Her mesmerizing stare connotes heroin chic, but what’s behind her eyes is far from hazy—the bobbed blonde is currently studying neurology at McGill University. Playing rock star at Hedi Slimane’s spring show was a natural high, she says. “As soon as you hit the spotlight, it’s like everything vanishes. You feel so confident, and you walk like no one can stop you. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
The Go‐Getter: Ashley Foo Hometown: North York, Ont. Age: 18
The only child of first‐generation immigrants from Singapore and Malaysia, Foo had a no‐stopping‐you mentality instilled in her from a young age. When she was 15, the sweetheart‐lipped self‐described fashionista had an intense desire to attend Toronto Fashion Week but was crushed to discover its 19‐and‐up age limit. Foo’s mother drove her to the tents anyway, and they took in the scene from afar. Inspired, she enrolled in Sutherland Models’ summer camp, where her five‐foot‐nine frame gave her a leg up. In her first year, Ash (her model name) shot with Canada’s top fashion glossies, in addition to walking the Mackage catwalk. “It’s so cool to think, Now I’m on the inside.”
The Artist: Nadiya Svirsky Hometown: Etobicoke, Ont. Age: 18
Being cast for an Alexander Wang show, where awkward trumps elegant and edgy pummels pretty, has made many a model’s career. For Ukrainian‐born Svirsky, with her long, androgynous face punctuated by a subtle nose ring, it was nearly a reality. She was holding for Wang’s and Balenciaga’s spring 2015 shows in New York City, but plans were foiled due to a technical hiccup. She has since signed with budding agency The Hive in London, where she’s headed next. And there’s always painting to fall back on (Peter Doig and Kim Dorland are inspirations). “The art world is where I’ve wanted to be my entire life.”
Photography: Peter Ash Lee
Hair: Justin German, Pantene, P1M.ca
Facials: Jessica Quimbayo and Miriam Gee, both Gee Beauty
Nails: Leeanne Colley, Tips Nail Bar, P1M.ca
Models: Ashley Foo, Charlotte Mingay, Jenna Lenfesty‐Castilloux and Sophie Touchet, all Sutherland Models; Sasha Hronis and Shelby Furber, both Elmer Olsen Models; Nadiya Svirsky, Elite Toronto
Props: Suzanne Campos, Plutino Group
Fashion editor: Jillian Vieira
Art director: Jed Tallo
‐In‐Waiting: Sasha Hronis Hometown: Toronto Age: 19
Before Hronis was discovered while riding the subway home, her hair wet from swim practice, modelling was a distant fantasy. “From six years old, when the Victoria’s Secret catalogues would come in the mail, I would sit there thinking, Oh my god, these girls are so beautiful,” she recalls. (Candice Swanepoel is her idol.) Meanwhile, the caramel‐skinned beauty was bullied for being head‐and‐shoulders taller than the boys in her class. Now that she has walked at Toronto Fashion Week and will soon make her way to New York City for the fall 2015 collections, she’s the one laughing.
Top, $68, Kit and Ace. Shorts, $80, Muttonhead.
The Baby Face: Charlotte Mingay Hometown: Toronto Age: 17
Does the fashion world have any appetite for innocence these days? Sutherland Models in Toronto and Trump agency in New York City, where Mingay is also signed, are banking on a pendulum swing. The youngest of four girls (Dad is a lawyer, Mom an ex‐judge), the model has a round, infant‐broad forehead, small eyes and a pillowy pout that are a distinct departure from the brooding angularity of the rest of the pack. With one season of Toronto Fashion Week under her belt, you’ll have to wait until the spring 2017 collections to see Mingay on a grander scale—after she’s graduated from private school.
Top, $455, T by Alexander Wang.
The Champ: Sophie Touchet Hometown: Gatineau, Que. Age: 20
It’s easy to see why the charmingly naïve, fiery‐headed Touchet recently won Best New Face at Canada’s P&G Beauty Awards. For her debut season last spring, the elfin beauty walked an impressive 43 shows, including Chanel’s haute grocery‐themed affair. Discovered while working at a Quebec Best Buy, Touchet had her first casting session in New York City—just weeks later—with legendary Vogue creative director and fellow redhead Grace Coddington. “I had no idea who she was, so I was just chill. She asked me if I was going to do fashion week, and I was like, ‘Do what?’”
Top, $950, Beaufille. Bodysuit, $158, Fortnight. Stool, Queen West Antique Centre.
The Comeback Kid: Shelby Furber Hometown: Scarborough, Ont. Age: 21
Never underestimate the power of a good haircut. Since Furber’s edgy mullet reboot courtesy of Luigi Murenu (hairstylist to Vogue, Louis Vuitton and Kate Moss) for Givenchy’s spring show, the delicate‐featured model, doing mostly “small jobs” for the past five years, suddenly catapulted to Next Big Thing status. “There were five or seven of us with exclusives, and we had to hide our hair leaving the office. Our phones were taken, and we had to sign an agreement not to show anyone.” FaceTiming with her mom was the only exception. Shortly after the fateful cut, casting agents for Paris couture week came calling.
[caption id="attachment_285526" align="aligncenter" width="525"] Top, $455, and shorts, $355, both T by Alexander Wang. Bracelet, Eddie Borgo.[/caption]
The Illusionist: Jenna Lenfesty-Castilloux Hometown: Gaspé, Que. Age:19
Just seven months ago, Lenfesty‐Castilloux did her hairdresser a solid and modelled at a hair show. But this girl was different from the others. Her dozy (in a good way) gaze drew attention, and soon she was scouted for a worldwide runway exclusive of the highest order: Saint Laurent. Her mesmerizing stare connotes heroin chic, but what’s behind her eyes is far from hazy—the bobbed blonde is currently studying neurology at McGill University. Playing rock star at Hedi Slimane’s spring show was a natural high, she says. “As soon as you hit the spotlight, it’s like everything vanishes. You feel so confident, and you walk like no one can stop you. It’s the best feeling in the world.”
Bra, $85, Fortnight.
The Go‐Getter: Ashley Foo Hometown: North York, Ont. Age: 18
The only child of first‐generation immigrants from Singapore and Malaysia, Foo had a no‐stopping‐you mentality instilled in her from a young age. When she was 15, the sweetheart‐lipped self‐described fashionista had an intense desire to attend Toronto Fashion Week but was crushed to discover its 19‐and‐up age limit. Foo’s mother drove her to the tents anyway, and they took in the scene from afar. Inspired, she enrolled in Sutherland Models’ summer camp, where her five‐foot‐nine frame gave her a leg up. In her first year, Ash (her model name) shot with Canada’s top fashion glossies, in addition to walking the Mackage catwalk. “It’s so cool to think, Now I’m on the inside.”
Jacket, $640, Apiece Apart. Jumpsuit, $235, Baserange.
The Artist: Nadiya Svirsky Hometown: Etobicoke, Ont. Age: 18
Being cast for an Alexander Wang show, where awkward trumps elegant and edgy pummels pretty, has made many a model’s career. For Ukrainian‐born Svirsky, with her long, androgynous face punctuated by a subtle nose ring, it was nearly a reality. She was holding for Wang’s and Balenciaga’s spring 2015 shows in New York City, but plans were foiled due to a technical hiccup. She has since signed with budding agency The Hive in London, where she’s headed next. And there’s always painting to fall back on (Peter Doig and Kim Dorland are inspirations). “The art world is where I’ve wanted to be my entire life.”
Photography: Peter Ash Lee
Hair: Justin German, Pantene, P1M.ca
Facials: Jessica Quimbayo and Miriam Gee, both Gee Beauty
Nails: Leeanne Colley, Tips Nail Bar, P1M.ca
Models: Ashley Foo, Charlotte Mingay, Jenna Lenfesty‐Castilloux and Sophie Touchet, all Sutherland Models; Sasha Hronis and Shelby Furber, both Elmer Olsen Models; Nadiya Svirsky, Elite Toronto
Props: Suzanne Campos, Plutino Group
Fashion editor: Jillian Vieira
Art director: Jed Tallo
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