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Carmen Kass

Carmen Kass, July, 2007.
Date of birth     September 14, 1978 (1978-09-14) (age 30)
Place of birth     Paide, Estonia
Height     5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Hair color     Light Brown
Eye color     Green
Measurements     86-61-86
Agency     Women Management New York
Baltic Models
Storm Model Agency London
Brave Model Management Milan
Silent Models Paris
International Creative Management London

Carmen Kass (born September 14, 1978) is an Estonian model.


Modeling career
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Kass was born in Paide, Estonia and grew up in Paide, the capital of Järva County. When she was a little girl, she lived in a cramped apartment in Sika village with her mother, who worked on a farm.[citation needed] At the age of fourteen, she was 'discovered' in a Tallinn supermarket by an Italian modeling scout.[citation needed] Kass had wanted to compete for the Miss Estonia title, but an offer to fly to Milan, Italy, to start a modeling career seemed like a more glamorous and lucrative option.

Kass officially moved to Paris at the age of 18. Soon after, she received exposure on the cover of magazines worldwide, such as Vogue (France) in 1997, Elle (Australia), Image (UK), Madame Figaro, Numéro France, Vogue (France), and Vogue (US) in 1999.

In 1999, Kass modeled for designers such as Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Donna Karan, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Prada, Versace, Fendi, Chanel, Chloé, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy. She also appeared in Victoria's Secret shows.

In addition, Kass has posed in advertisements for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Gucci, Donna Karan, Byblos, Dsquared2, Givenchy, Fendi, Max Mara, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Emanuel Ungaro, Michael Kors, Versace, Yves Saint Laurent, Tommy Hilfiger, Revlon, Chloé, Christian Dior, Just Cavalli, Kenzo, Krizia, Mango, Guy Laroche, Narciso Rodriguez, Trend Les Copains, Sephora and also for General Motors. She is also recognized for her appearances in a The Gap denim advertising campaign. Kass was a spokesperson for Revlon cosmetics, Sephora, one of the world's leading cosmetics retailers, and the Christian Dior perfume, J'adore.

Kass was awarded by Vogue as "Model of the Year" at the 2000 VH1/Vogue Fashion Awards.

As of 2006, she has appeared in campaigns for Dsquared, Pedro del Hierro, Michael Kors and Chloé with Malgosia Bela. In 2007, Kass has got ten campaigns only for the spring/summer collection, including Versace, Michael Kors, Pucci, Jones New York, Salvatore Ferragamo, Gap, Peek & Cloppenburg, Bedat & Co, Time and Et Vous?.

She has now signed to be Max Factor newest spokesperson.

Kass is well-known for her distinctive runway walk. A quirk of the Estonian supermodel is that while she is very tall, her feet are quite small (about an American size seven). It is said that she sometimes simply falls out of her shoes while walking.

She starred at the Victoria's Secret fashion show 1999, and also walked in the non-consecutive years of 2000, 2002, 2003, and 2008 for the company.

Other endeavors

In 2004, Kass starred in the Estonian murder-mystery film Täna öösel me ei maga (We Won't Sleep Tonight). The international release was retitled Set Point.

Also, in February 2004, she joined Estonia's ruling Res Publica Party. Kass ran for the European Parliament after her homeland joined the European Union in May 2004. She won about 2000 votes from the Estonian electorate, but was not elected to the European Parliament.

Kass plays chess and was elected president of the Estonian National Chess League in 2004. She ran a campaign to obtain the right to organize the 2008 Chess Olympics in Tallinn; however, that right was given to Dresden, Germany.

She is part owner of her mother agency, Baltic Models.

Personal life

Kass, her sister and brother were raised only by their mother Koidu Põder. Her older sister Victoria De Luna (b. August 15, 1976) was married to singer Joel De Luna and they have son Antonio Sebastian (b. 1997) and daughter Sinencia Jasmine (b.1999). The couple separated in 2004 after they both were charged with drug trafficking. Joel served three years in an Estonian prison and was released in 2006 while Victoria was on parole for three years. Carmen's older brother Kutty Kass (b. 1974) is involved in real estate and has son Carl Christian (b. December 26, 2007) with girlfriend Sigrid.

Kass attended Lee Strasberg Studios in New York, where she was classmate with Kai Wong.

Kass has dated Leonardo DiCaprio and restaurant owner Richie Akiva. She is currently involved with Eric Lobron, a German chess champion.