Magazine

Homeward Bound: 7 World-Famous Models Return to Their Small-Town Roots

We’ve seen their faces stretched across shiny billboards and peppered throughout the glossy pages of fashion magazines and lookbooks, but today’s top models weren’t born into their jet-setting, international-runway lifestyles. So seven of our favorite all-American models are taking us on a journey back to their roots—from the mountains and prairies of Colorado to the free-spirited swamps of Louisiana. Follow along as Taylor Hill recalls her summers hiking and winters snowboarding; Karlie Kloss visits her humble, family-oriented Missouri; and Amber Valletta returns to her grandparents’ Oklahoma farm. “Home is where the heart is,” Valletta declares. We couldn’t agree more.
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    Photographed by Zoe Ghertner, Vogue, September 2017
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    “Home is where your heart is,” says Amber Valletta, reflecting on her hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and summers and weekends spent on her grandparents’ farm outside the city. “Mine will forever be in a wide-open field with big, open skies.” Dior coat and dress ($4,800); select Dior boutiques. Fashion Editor: Camilla Nickerson.

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    Photographed by Zoe Ghertner, Vogue, September 2017
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    “Oklahoma girls are authentic, gutsy, kind, generous, and humble,” says Valletta. “I hope to embody all of those things and make OK proud.” Dries Van Noten coat ($2,945) and dress ($1,420); Barneys New York, NYC. Lucchese Bootmaker boots.

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    Photographed by Zoe Ghertner, Vogue, September 2017
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    “I don’t know if it’s the wide-open spaces, the thunderstorms, or the cowboy spirit,” says model Sara Grace Wallerstedt, “but living in Texas helped me to grow into a very independent person.” Calvin Klein 205w39nyc coat, calvinklein.com. Beauty Note: Keep it simple with straight and sleek hair. Ouai’s Smooth Spray detangles for manageability while keeping flyaways at bay.

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    Photographed by Zoe Ghertner, Vogue, September 2017
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    “Now that I travel so much for work, I look back and think how grateful I am to have grown up in Colorado,” says model Taylor Hill, who spent her summers hiking and her winters snowboarding. Prada bralette, $780; select Prada boutiques. Hilfiger collection dress, $890; Select Tommy Hilfiger Stores.

Topics125th AnniversaryKarlie KlossAmber VallettaBinx WaltonTaylor Hill