By Brandon Palas
Photography by Jonas
Perhaps the name Lucette van Beek doesn’t summarily spark synaptic fire, an automatic association or ready recognition, but get to know her you shall. The 19-year-old Dutch model, hailing from Heerlen, Netherlands, is quickly becoming one to watch.
In 2010, van Beek won Elite Model Look and since has skyrocketed, signing with mother agency Elite Amsterdam. The 5-foot-9-inch aplomb bombshell is poised to take over le monde de la mode. We would be remiss to neglect the perfection of her pillow-soft, pouty pucker—the most noteworthy of her features—or the depth of her transmittable gaze.
Van Beek already has established a strong body of work and conspicuous credits. Her runway career launched in London in February 2011 when she walked for fellow Norwegian, London-based fashion designer Kristian Aadnevik. Yet it was her placement in Versace’s Spring-Summer 2012 show that served as her true entrée onto the scene, an unveiling of sorts.
With cool confidence in her gait, van Beek emerged onto the stage wearing an electric-mint, short, strapless, Grecian-style dress, paired with a blown-out, chocolate-brown mane and sultry, smokey eyes. She truly embodied all that is the spirit of the house, namely Sig. and Sig.ra Versace.
GREAT HEIGHTS: Lucette van Beek has already walked shows for Dolce & Gabbana and Versace.
The next season, van Beek walked in Dolce & Gabbana’s show, portraying another character: Botticellian bambina. She donned a sheer white blouse with ruffled sleeves and cockled collar beneath a black cape, as well as a black-and-white jeweled headband, which seemed more like a crown.
Following in the fruitful, feline-esque footsteps of fellow Dutch models, such as Doutzen Kroes, Lara Stone and Frederique van der Wal, van Beek is determined to forge a path of her own. “My biggest dream is to walk in Victoria’s Secret fashion show,” she exclaimed in a Vogue Italia video. “In the future, I want to continue modeling until I am 30 years old. Then I want to open my own clothing shop or become a designer.”
To that we say: The future is hers, and we look forward to watching it.
Originally appeared in the Spring 2014 issue.
