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Modeling can be a youth-obsessed industry, but you don’t have to be a teenager to make a splash during fashion month. At 25, Kennah Lau represents a new set of models who are entering the business as adults. Spotted at a Vermont coffee shop by scouts at Next Management last year, Lau already had a husband, job, and sense of self when she was pulled into fashion. This season, she made her presence felt at shows like Alexander Wang, Emilio Pucci, and Balenciaga, emerging as one of the most interesting beauties on the scene. Tattooed, androgynous, and undeniably cool, Lau brought something special to each show she walked.
Here, the rising star talks about her first international flight, her passion for illustration, and why she doesn’t mind being called a cat lady.
She initially had cold feet about modeling.“I started modeling in December, so this is all very new to me. I was scouted in August while working at a coffee shop back home, and I was fully immersed in that life, working 45 hours a week taking care of the cafe. When I was scouted, I quit my job at the coffee shop pretty immediately. I had never even thought about modeling or fashion. I got cold feet, though, after leaving my job, and told the agency no . . . Long story short, I emailed the agency on the day of the election in November and said, ‘I’m ready for this.’ I signed in December, and it’s been a quick learning experience ever since.”
This was her first international trip.“[This season was] surreal. I had never traveled alone before, or out of the country, so every little thing was new for me. Walking in shows is very rewarding; I love the adrenaline, and the buzz before the show, and how invested everyone is in the work. I trust myself and my strength so much more than I used to, knowing I can be flexible and creative at any time.”
Being late to the game has its pros and cons.“I think it might be easier in some ways, and also harder in others. I am lucky to be older because I know my goals and my boundaries, and that’s made it possible for me to advocate for myself in my work. On the flip side, being older is hard because I have a life I am supporting outside of my work. I am married to a wonderful man who has supported my every step and choice. It takes a lot of communication and understanding on both our parts to make this work.”
Being a part of the creative crew at Balenciaga was a special moment.“Working with Balenciaga at the end of this season was amazing. I was exclusive with them and did a few days of looks with them, then walked the show. Such a cool group of people making iconic fashion, and it was so special to be a part of that.”
She’s an illustrator, too.“I have been drawing for fun for a few years and just posting my stuff on my Instagram. I love to have a lazy day and hang out with my husband and talk about world events and just draw whatever comes to mind. Usually, it’s cartoon people and cats. When I’m on the road, it’s hard to find the mental space to make art, though. One day, I would love to turn my little doodles into stationary or stickers or print on fabric. I love cute things, and I think cuteness gets overlooked as far as aesthetic value goes.”
Her cat changed her life.“My husband and I adopted him five years ago when he was maybe a year old. We went to the shelter looking for a cat to join our family, and Roley walked up and yowled at us. The three of us lived in one room together for a while, so we are a bonded trio. After having Roley for about a year, I got his face tattooed on my upper arm; people think I’m crazy. @roleycat was born because my own Instagram became overloaded with photos of him, and eventually I needed to separate the two! When I’m away, my husband runs the page so I can keep up.”
She’s bringing back the mullet—with a little help from Guido Palau.“This is pretty much the haircut that I had when I was scouted. I had a buzz cut before this, so as it grew out, this took shape. For the Alexander Wang show, Guido shaped my mullet into a more sophisticated mullet. It’s easy to take care of, so I’m just leaving it alone and seeing what happens! Wherever I go, whatever client I see, my haircut is always a topic of conversation. For me, it’s just my normal haircut.”