Susan Holmes

Susan Elizabeth Holmes-McKagan (born May 5, 1972) is an American model, television personality, and designer. She has appeared on the covers of Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire and Playboy. She is also known as the public face and founder of her business venture Susan Holmes Swimwear. According to an interview by Elsa Klensch on CNN, Holmes earned the title “The Body” from iconic fashion photographer Steven Meisel.

Holmes was born in Bowling Green, Ohio and is the daughter of Dr. John Holmes and Judith A. Holmes. Her father is thrice a Fulbright Scholar, and part of the International Advertising Association, World Conference of Education and the United Nations. Holmes’ parents divorced in 1979, and Holmes moved out west with her older brother, sister and mother to San Diego, where Judith taught as an English teacher and San Diego County Office of Education Reading Specialist, helping children with learning disabilities to read.

Holmes graduated from the University of San Diego High School, was a cheerleader and on the honor roll. She was voted by her class, in the “senior standouts” as the person most desired as “deserted island companion”. Holmes was discovered at the age of 16, while dining in a restaurant in Manhattan and sitting at a table next to Jodie Foster. Fashion photographer Marco Glaviano approached Susan and asked if she were a model. After meeting various top agents, Holmes was accepted by two modeling agencies, Ford and Elite. It was at the age of 17, that Holmes was on her first cover of a magazine (San Diego magazine) and also appearing in ads on billboards.

Holmes’ designer accomplishments stem from a career as an international model. Holmes worked for Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Chanel, Versace, John Galliano, Christian Lacroix, Herve Leger, Badgley Mischka, Nicole Miller, Marc Jacobs, and Prada. Holmes also has appeared in ad campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Escada, Guess, Revlon, Karl Lagerfeld, Louis Vuitton, and Victoria’s Secret. Holmes was in television commercials for Peugeot (which actually won an award and was filmed by Madonna videographer Jean-Baptiste Mondino). She then followed with two more commercials, for Triumph and H&M lingerie. Susan then starred as “the runaway bride” alongside fellow models Tyra Banks, Kate Moss, and Helena Christensen in the British film Inferno!.

Susan Holmes Swimwear is a swimwear line that Holmes commenced in 1997 while pregnant with her first child. Susan’s designs have been worn by celebrities such as Kate Hudson, Venus Williams, Heidi Klum, Stella McCartney, Elle MacPherson and Daryl Hannah, to name a few. She was the “designer with the most suits” in a recent Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition and her bikini made entirely of guitar pics donned the calendar and DVD cover. Susan Holmes Swimwear is sold at Sak’s Fifth Avenue, Henri Bendel and an exclusive line for Victoria’s Secret. Susan Holmes Swimwear is also sold at her online store, www.susanholmes.net. Susan gives back over 15% after net proceeds to charities, such as “Project Angel Food”, “Surfrider Foundation” and the Red Cross for natural disaster victims. Holmes received an award from supermodel Niki Taylor, in New York City as “The Swimwear Designer of the Year” at the National Children Leukemia Foundation’s –The Michael Awards in 2008.

She was a creative director, celebrity guest judge and mentor/designer to the aspiring models on America’s Next Top Model (Cycle 11 – You’re Beautiful, Now Change) alongside Tyra Banks. Susan has also appeared on MTV, as herself in the video for Velvet Revolver’s song Fall To Pieces, with her clothing designs on TvLand’s “She’s Got The Look”, and recently seen on E! Channel’s Married to Rock which debuted on November 7, 2010.[1] Holmes was a regular correspondent on Fox News with Shepard Smith, reporting about American Idol. Holmes was given the key to the city of both Detroit, Michigan and Toledo, Ohio from Mayor Jack Ford / Kwami Kilpatrick as a result of her international businesswoman accomplishments.

By Wikipedia

Online   www.susanholmes.net