About the Model
Monika “Jac” Jagaciak
Polish beauty Monika “Jac” Jagaciak began modeling at only 13 years old when she appeared in an Hermes campaign. Because she was not allowed to catwalk at such a young age, Jac had to wait two more years before beginning on the New York, Paris and Milan catwalks. For the Autumn/Winter 2009 season, the Polish model began multiplying her contracts for fashion shows, from Dolce & Gabbana and Jil Sander to Calvin Klein, Versace and Philosophi di Alberta Ferretti. Later on, Jac Jagaciak created quite a buzz on the Herve Leger catwalk when she tripped because of her too-high heels.
Monika Jagaciak, “Jac” to her friends, is THE model of Paris Fashion Week. After having been shunned from the Parisian modelling world for two years because of her young age, Jac is back! At the “seasoned” age of 16, the Polish model has opened Céline, Lanvin, Pedro Lourenço and Thierry Mugler’s shows and has closed Valentino, Nina Ricci, Hermès, Cacharel et Giambattist Valli’s Paris collections.
Jac Jagaciak is now a favorite among fashion photographers and is in high demand in the fashion world. She has posed for the cameras of David Sims, Craig McDean, Steven Meisel and Patrick Demarchelier. She has also graced the pages of magazines including Vogue, Interview, V Magazine and Numero. For Autumn/Winter 2009, she became the face of Calvin Klein.
At 16 years of age, the Pole has already made a name for herself in the modeling world. Auburn hair, green eyes and a porcelain complexion, at 1.78 metres Jac’s has everything it takes to be a top model. It was after making the cover of Jalouse magazine in July 2007 that she became the face of Hermès. Her soft, delicate features have attracted many fashion houses. He young age did pose a problem: Can we allow someone so young on the catwalk? As mature as she was, Jac was just a child. We remember the Hervé Léger fashion show where the teenager slipped on her too-high heels. The sweet youngster still managed to get an invitation to the Milan and New York Fashion Weeks.
The French were a little more reticent: Jac had to wait until her 16th birthday to get her first taste of the Paris catwalk. Unlike most of the rest of us, 16-year-old Jac Jagaciak, the current face of Calvin Klein Collection, didn’t have an awkward adolesence. The Polish beauty landed a Hermes campaign at the tender age of 13, a time when most teens are still plagued with acne and braces. Although Jagaciak had to sit out the last few seasons due to age regulations, she made a splash during Fall 2009 fashion week, walking in a slew of shows, from Dolce & Gabbana to Jil Sander to Calvin Klein Collection (which she opened and closed). With her perfect pout and flawless skin, she’ll be one of the girls to watch when the New York shows kick off in September.
Jagaciak in the Hermes campaign:
What was it like to do the Hermes campaign at such a young age?
I had only been modeling for a short time, so when someone told me about Hermes, I didn’t know what they were talking about. I thought, “What is Hermes” and “Who is Peter Lindbergh?!” I think not knowing helped me stay relaxed.
Calvin Klein Collection fall 2009; a Calvin Klein Collection ad campaign.
Tell us about your debut at Fall 2009 fashion week:
I had been waiting two years for that! I was very nervous that first week in New York, but after I got to know the city and people, I felt better. I watched a lot of shows and backstage videos to prepare. I did my best; I’m really proud of myself.
You fell at the Herve Leger show last season — Is it safe to say that was your worst runway moment?
I’ve had so many embarrassing moments and silly mistakes. I’ve fallen on the runway, forgotten millions of names and went to the wrong place for a casting. But the worst experience was when I was 14 and had to run away from an Australian journalist. He waited outside my house and tried to chase me down for a story.
Sounds terrifying! Why was he trying to talk to you?
Oh my god! It was the scariest moment of my life. He tried to use my name as an example of models that were too young. He wanted to know why I wasn’t at Australia fashion week.
Dolce & Gabbana fall 2009; Ralph Lauren Fall 2009.
We hear you’re from quite an athletic family.
I’m actually spending 10 days with my parents and sister, Anna, at a sport camp in Ustka on the Baltic Sea coast. My dad coaches athletes from Wielkopolska, and Anna competes in long jump and triple jump. She was a bronze medalist at the European Althletics Junior Championships. I love high jump and volleyball. If I wasn’t modeling, I would probably be training like my sister.
