Model Citizen

The St. Louis native—whose extensive modeling portfolio includes spreads in Harper’s Bazaar and W, the cover of Vogue Australia’s September issue and campaigns for Balenciaga and D&G—took to her ALIVE shoot like a “normal” 20-year-old; she showed up in jeans and flats, and passed time in the makeup chair chatting about her housemate, vintage shopping and her plans to lay low while home for the weekend. Even so, she couldn’t help but establish herself as exceptional. Aside from exuding her signature classic-bombshell beauty, which calls to mind such industry icons as Cindy Crawford and Stephanie Seymour, she repeatedly revealed her passion for life’s important things—like family and serving those less fortunate. Regardless of the subject, “model behavior” would have come to mind. In the case of Fogarty, the description fits like a sample.

ALIVE: So many girls dream of getting “discovered.” What was it like for you?
Katie Fogarty: When I was 13, I was discovered by Jeff and Mary Clarke at West County Center. I was coming out of a store with my parents and my best friend, Laura, when they stopped us. I almost ran away, thinking I was getting accused
of something. We were all stunned and skeptical at first. 

ALIVE: Considering what followed, I’m guessing it didn’t take long for the excitement to set in. Tell us about your first big gig.
KF: My first big show was a Prada exclusive in Milan. I was ecstatic just to be in Italy, and getting the exclusive was surreal. Everyone kept telling me how prestigious it was, and I felt honored to have been chosen. My first big shoot was for
Teen Vogue when I was barely 16. As with most things in life—besides calculus!—I learned pretty quickly.
 
ALIVE: At this point, picking up a mag and seeing you in an editorial is a common occurrence—does any one job stand out as an all-time favorite?
KF: I love my cover and pictures in September’s issue of Vogue Australia. The pictures are classic, and the styling is inventive, yet wearable. I actually look like myself—just a really good version!
 
ALIVE: Do you still get excited when you see the final product of work you’ve done?
KF: Sure. During my second Fashion Week, I was waiting at a casting and playing with my new iPhone, and I stumbled upon my new Balenciaga campaign. I hadn’t expected them to use my shot, as there were 10 girls at the shoot—but I was ac-
tually featured in two shots in the campaign. And, while I was strolling through Paris a few years ago, I wandered into a giant billboard of myself for BCBG. It was surreal.  

ALIVE: What do you like to do when you’re not modeling?  
KF: I’ve got time to kill while in hair and makeup, so reading is a must. Currently, I’m on the last “Harry Potter”—and am a little stressed to find more books to read once I’m finished! I also like to go to parks and random festivals around the city, and to watch movies. I’m currently rolling through the seasons of “Desperate Housewives.” Netflix is very dangerous.

ALIVE: You somehow make time to do extensive charity work, as well. What organizations have you joined forces with most recently?
KF: Unlike most any other career, being a full-time model means having pockets of free time. For a while, I would spend my time wandering around the city. I searched for activities that were time filling and, more importantly, fulfilling. Eventually, I became an honorary member of NYU’s Newman Club, a Catholic youth group, and Sant’Egidio, a worldwide service community. Through Newman, I found a soup kitchen that usually serves around 500 people in a few hours. With Sant’Egidio, I visit Cabrini Eldercare for weekly prayer and make portable meals for the homeless to distribute around Grand Central Station. In addition, I play and coach a disabled children’s little league team on Saturdays. When I serve these people, I am really serving myself. If anyone is a “Friends” fan, they might recall the episode that debates the existence of a selfless good deed. Joey was right. There really is no such thing as a selfless good deed.

ALIVE: How does your NYC apartment compare to your room in St. Louis?
KF: My room in STL is still a shrine to my grade school years, as I have lived away for at least half of the year since I was 15. My apartment in NYC is a nice two-bedroom apartment with a small  living room and kitchen—with no dishwasher. 

ALIVE: Where do you love to go in New York?
KF: I love staying around my neighborhood, downtown. A few of my favorite places are Washington Square Park, Union Square and the Hudson River Greenway; and I love toodling around the East Village.

ALIVE: And in St. Louis?
KF: I usually stay at home or at friends’ houses when I’m in St. Louis. I love going to Fritz’s Frozen Custard, ordering Fortel’s Pizza and going on walks in Queeny Park across the street from my neighborhood. 

ALIVE: If you weren’t modeling, what do you think you would you be doing?
KF: I would be a normal sophomore in college. Actually, I’m starting at NYU this fall—so I guess my life isn’t all that different!

ALIVE: We love your look, and love that you have been snapped by several street style photogra- phers. What inspires you, and what do you love to wear most?
KF: I’m only going to talk about summer—because I’m bundled in so many sweaters, scarves and parkas during winter, it’s depressing to think about! I love the ’50s and ’60s, especially Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn for their classic femininity. When it’s warm enough to start caring what I look like, I love girly ’50s dresses, my grandma’s jewelry and flats. If I’m in a timeless mood, I love classic-cut silk shirts and skirts. When I’m just hangin’, I’m always in classic bootcut jeans, a t-shirt, a leather jacket and sneakers. God bless America!

ALIVE: Where do you see yourself in five years?  
KF: I would like to be happy doing what I love, surrounded by people I love. But, I can’t predict God’s plan for me.