Coco Rocha: One of The First Digital Supermodels
Coco Rocha, known as the Queen of Posing by fashion industry insiders, has graced multiple magazine covers and designer runways since her debut as a model-turned-actress in 1995. Furthermore, she is widely acknowledged as being at the forefront of modeling advocacy – giving voice to models themselves while advocating on their behalf.
Coco Rocha Model Camp in New York provides modeling up-and-comers with valuable runway skills as well as advice on how to advocate for themselves when encountering potentially unsafe situations.
Coco Rocha’s Biography
Coco Rocha, known for her otherworldly beauty and diversity of roles, is more than a model; she’s an advocate, writer, TV host, and more besides fashion itself. As one of Vogue magazine’s cover models and having graced the runways of some of fashion’s premier designers such as Marc Jacobs, Prada, Zac Posen, and Chanel she also provides coaching workshops to young models while lending advice through guest mentoring on television programs or coaching workshops for her coaching workshops – not forgetting writing 2014 book Study of Pose which many consider to be model posing bible!
Canadian model Emily Hahn began her fashion career back in 2002 after being discovered during an Irish step-dancing competition. Four years later, during Paris Fashion Week’s Christian Lacroix show she made her debut and immediately charmed audiences and editors alike. Since then she has appeared in advertising campaigns from Americana Manhasset to Balenciaga to D&G Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent among many more.
Rocha’s skill at posing has earned her the moniker Queen of Pose and she is considered one of the most technically adept models of her generation. A media darling, Rocha has graced the covers of multiple magazines such as Vogue and W; also walking runways for top designers while shooting editorials and campaigns with some of the world’s finest photographers.
Rocha may make modeling look effortless, but she has not always found it an easy path. She has been open about her struggle with body image and eating disorders, which led to strong advocacy on behalf of younger models – such as working with charities like Models Alliance or helping pass a New York law protecting underage models, or writing an open letter in The New York Times about eating disorders within the modeling industry.
As an advocate for future models, Rocha established the Coco Rocha Model Camp in New York City to educate aspiring models in all aspects of modeling. The four-day intensive workshop offers runway training and posing instruction as well as lessons on prioritizing health and self-care – something many models don’t learn until later in their careers.
Coco Rocha’s Personal Life
Coco Rocha, born in Toronto Canada of mixed Irish and Ukrainian heritage, has become one of the world’s acclaimed international models since being discovered at age 15. Since her modeling debut at 18, she has graced the runways of major designers worldwide; cover shoots for influential magazines; editorial campaigns with top fashion houses; television programs like “The Face”, and “The September Issue”, where Coco has also made appearances; in all, over 100 designers have used Coco as their model!
She has long advocated on behalf of younger models, campaigning for age restrictions to protect girls from being exploited in the modeling profession. Additionally, she collaborated with fashion retailer Jacob on their Photoshop-free campaign and founded Senhoa Charity which aids survivors of human trafficking.
Her other interests include painting, playing piano and violin, hiking, yoga, and reading. As a Jehovah’s Witness who adheres strictly to her religion; mother to Ioni and Iver with James Conran – spending as much time with them and family as she possibly can is very dear to her heart.
She always makes time for her fans through social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, where she boasts over 2 million Instagram followers and 1.5 million Twitter followers who love following her posts and updates about both her career and personal life.
Coco has made her mark as an influential mentor and teacher of young models on both “America’s Next Top Model” and her modeling camp in New York City, helping stars like Kendall and Kylie Jenner, Karolina Kurkova, Behati Prinsloo to perfect their craft in front of the camera. Coco even wrote a book called “Study of Pose”, detailing how future models can master their craft.
Coco Rocha’s Modeling Career
Coco Rocha was discovered at an Irish dance competition in Vancouver, Canada at age 14 as “a dorky girl who didn’t know left from right.” Fast forward 16 years and she has transformed herself into one of the world’s premier models – appearing on Vogue covers, walking runways during fashion weeks in New York, Paris, and Milan, and appearing in ads campaigns for Chanel and YSL as well as writing her coffee table book “Study of Pose”, detailing how to strike that perfect pose!
Rocha serves as a role model to her generation through her Coco Rocha Model Camp, established in 2018. The camp provides training in modeling art and business practices. Young models face many hurdles in the industry when negotiating contracts and dealing with predatory photographers who push them toward nude shoots; Rocha serves as a voice of reason to help young models stand up for themselves just as she did as an underage model herself.
Rocha’s other achievements include her participation in the 2009 fly-on-the-wall documentary American Vogue, coaching/judging on season 9 of Project Runway, and two films: The September Issue and Finding Neverland on Broadway.
Rocha stands out as an industry icon thanks to her dedication to mentoring the next generation. As founder and director of Models of Diversity, an inclusive fashion nonprofit she promotes inclusivity within the fashion industry. The organization strives to empower women of diverse backgrounds who may be underrepresented in the workforce and encourages them to embrace their creativity. It is an invaluable initiative, made all the more significant by pandemic conditions as many women stay home to care for their families rather than traveling to work. The group can forge relationships among some of fashion’s most influential designers and models they might otherwise not have met, making connections that wouldn’t otherwise exist. Everyone in fashion should support this initiative; its message is clear: You can achieve success in fashion without giving up your sense of identity.
Coco Rocha’s Social Media
Coco Rocha has quickly become one of fashion’s most recognizable faces due to her striking features and theatrical poses, making her one of the industry’s go-to models. She has graced Vogue covers as well as walked for Marc Jacobs, Prada, Chanel, Balenciaga, and Banana Republic collections – as well as being a regular face on television such as guest mentoring on “America’s Next Top Model” or appearing, in reality, shows such as “The Face”. Additionally, she owns her modeling agency NOMAD MGMT.
She enjoys amassing an extensive social media following on social media and frequently shares behind-the-scenes shots from modeling gigs, travel photos, and Throwback Thursday photos from her childhood. Her Instagram following stands at almost 2M. Having been in business long enough, she understands that fame can fade quickly so is always looking to start something new.
This year, she launched Co + Co with Paragon Project. The 60-piece collection offers sports-inspired and tailored styles ranging in price from $80 to $300; she was an integral part of its creation as a brand ambassador.
Rocha was selected to represent this collection due to her influence as both an icon of fashion and a trendsetter. Additionally, she is an advocate for models; speaking out about the unethical treatment of underage models and independent modeling agency accounting practices has resulted in laws being put in place that protect underage models in New York City as a result of Rocha’s efforts.
Mother of two, she has never been afraid to show off her family life on social media – in fact, she announced Ioni’s birth with an Instagram post!
She and Ioni were out and about in Greenwich Village when she posted this latest photo, dressed stunningly in a black leather dress with a mock turtleneck and seductive cut-outs above and around her slim waistline. To complete her look she accessorized with black sunglasses and an adorable white purse.
