Karmen Pedaru

Karmen Pedaru, born on May 10, 1990, in Kehra, Estonia, is a prominent model celebrated for her extensive partnership with Michael Kors. Raised by her grandmother after losing her mother at a young age, Karmen grew up in an athletic environment, engaging in various sports from an early age. She played as a goalkeeper for Estonia's national U-19 football team before transitioning to modeling.

Her modeling journey began in 2005 when she was discovered at the Draamateater theater in Tallinn at just 15 years old. Soon after, she signed with Next Models and made her editorial debut in Teen Vogue. Karmen's runway career took off in 2007 when she walked for Christopher Kane, and she gained significant recognition during New York Fashion Week in Fall 2008, where she graced 43 runways, including shows for Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan, and Givenchy.

Throughout her career, Pedaru has been featured in campaigns for prestigious brands such as Chloe, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, and Missoni. In 2011, she succeeded Carmen Kass as the face of Michael Kors, a role that solidified her status in the fashion industry. She also made her Victoria's Secret Fashion Show debut in 2011, showcasing her versatility on the runway.

With appearances in renowned publications like Vogue and Harper's Bazaar, Karmen has been recognized as one of the top models in the industry, ranking #4 on Models.com’s "Top 50 Models" list as of March 2014, and she continues to be celebrated as an Industry Icon.