By Katia Ostapets

Artistic direction by Marcus Kan

Photography by Tara West

Make-up by Arabella Trasca

Hair by Charisse Feliciano

Eyelashes by Minked Lashes

It’s Saturday morning and the Hudson’s Bay on Queen Street in Toronto is packed. Hurrying through the make-up department and up the escalators, I’m thinking about Chloe Rogers who I recently saw model at the fashion week in Toronto, and who I’m about to meet. This is Rogers’ first interview to-date.

I make my way through The Room, trying not to get distracted by the dazzling gowns. As I step through the doors of the VIP dressing room, the energy changes completely. Even though preparation for the shoot is in full swing, the mood is calm, even tranquil. Our model is patiently waiting, while her make-up is being finished and our artistic director is in the process of choosing the shoes she will wear.

Chloe Rogers.

I introduce myself and we start chatting over some Perrier. The brunette beauty is composed and well-mannered, but also sweet and happy to share her experiences. She tells me she loves to go for sushi with her Dad and can’t stop wearing Dr. Martens. There is something enigmatic about the mix of her classic features and her tomboy style.

As I suspected, Rogers, 16, got interested in fashion because of her mother, the philanthropist and Canadian fashion icon Suzanne Rogers. “When I was little,” she adds, “I was a huge tomboy, but my Mom really inspired me to love fashion. I grew into it and now I love it.”

She remembers the first time she considered modelling. Rogers had tagged along to one of her mother’s photoshoots with photographer Chris Nicholls. She was impressed with the process, so when Nicholls asked if she’d like to try it, she agreed — and hasn’t looked back since. Eventually, he sent the pictures to agencies and that is how Rogers ended up at Elite Model Management. Since then, she has done numerous photoshoots, preferring the ones with outrageous make-up and crazy eyelashes.

This season, Rogers also made her runway debut at the World Mastercard Canada Fashion Week in Toronto, where she opened and closed the David Dixon show. Looking calm, collected and very sophisticated, it was hard to tell how nervous she was.

Rogers with David Dixon at the end of his show at World MasterCard Fashion Week this season. Photo: Kareen Mallon, FAJO Magazine.

“I was really excited to experience that side of modelling; it’s so different from taking pictures. It was nerve-wrecking, because all the other models have so much experience.” However, she adds that the girls were very encouraging and comforting backstage: “Once I did it, I was really excited and proud that I tried something new.”

After being backstage, Rogers has learned a variety of new things. “I go to an all-girls’ school, so I would never wear make-up to school. I had no idea how to do it and it would always turn out awful.” Now, she can expertly blend, shadow and contour.

One thing she did not have to learn was walking in high heels. “I’m pretty comfortable with them, because when I was little I would always try on my Mom’s heels. She has a variety of crazy shoes and I would think: ‘I want to try on all of them!’” Currently, she has an eye on her mother’s new gold pair that looks like birdcages with roses and flowers.

Her own style constantly changes. “Throughout the day, I like the laid-back L.A. look; and at night, I like dressing more chic and modern — more French.” With fashion inspirations like Cara Delevingne and Rihanna, Rogers admires people who “take risks with their style and do their own thing.”

“I really like being different — thinking outside the box,” she says. For example, the favourite pieces in her closet create an eclectic mix and include a sweater by Jeremy Scott with robotic symbols and smiley faces.

While in school, Rogers is keeping her career options open, although she would like to work in fashion. “Fashion communications really interests me, as well as fashion marketing and working with magazines,” she explains.

Until then, she is excited to go on her upcoming trip to London and hopes to someday explore Thailand.

Dresses by Mary Katrantzou, Roland Mouret, Erdem and Jason Wu.

Shoes by Gianvito Rossi, Nicholas Kirkwood, Nicholas Kirkwood for Erdem, and Charlotte Olympia. All can be purchased at The Room at the Hudson’s Bay in Toronto.

FAJO Magazine would like to extend a special thank you to the Hudson’s Bay for providing a venue for this photoshoot. Hudson’s Bay is located at 176 Yonge Street , Toronto, Ontario , M5C 2L7  and can also be reached at 416-861-9111.