Hannelore Knuts (born 4 November 1977) is a Belgian model,[2] actress,[3] and artist[4][5] known for her androgynous appearance[6] and versatility.[7] Throughout her career, she has collaborated with numerous top photographers like Steven Meisel, Inez and Vinoodh, Karl Lagerfeld, Steven Klein and Juergen Teller as well as designers and brands including Alexander McQueen, Prada, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Ann Demeulemeester and many more. She has appeared on multiple international covers of Vogue as well as V, Dazed, Harper’s Bazaar and L’Officiel - solidifying her position as an icon[8] in the world of fashion.

Hannelore Knuts
Hannelore Knuts by Lalo Gonzalez
Born (1977-11-04) 4 November 1977 (age 47)[1]
Occupation(s)Model, actress & media personality, artist, meditation teacher
Modeling information
Height178 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Hair colorBrunette (current)
Eye colorBlue
AgencyPlatform Agency (Amsterdam) , Elite (Paris), Models 1 (London), The Model CoOp (New York)

Beginnings and the Belgian Wave

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Hannelore Knuts was introduced to fashion as a photography student at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.[9] She participated in the annual Antwerp Fashion Department student fashion show of 1998[2] which included the graduate collection of notable designer Bernhard Willhelm. That first appearance as a student led to her walking the runway for Veronique Branquinho[10] in 1998, which caught the attention of a modelling scout[11] and led to a feature role in a documentary on rising models. Despite initially declining the offer to become a fulltime model, Hannelore eventually took the opportunity and started her modelling career, quickly landing an influential Steven Meisel campaign for Moschino[12] and Yohji Yamamoto catalogue[13] for spring-summer 1999.

Her androgynous features quickly garnered recognition, and she gained significant exposure through her early runway and editorial work with prestigious designers such as Alexander McQueen[14] and Jil Sander[2] while becoming the protégé[2] of acclaimed photographers Inez and Vinoodh. Her remarkably swift international breakthrough kickstarted[2] what is now known as the ‘Belgian Wave[15]’ of models dominating the ‘00s fashion industry.

2000s Icon

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Throughout the early 2000s, Hannelore Knuts became a distinct presence in fashion, gracing the coveted covers and editorials of magazines like Vogue, W Magazine, i-D, Self Service, V, Dazed, Numéro, Jalouse and many more, landing a record number of five Vogue Italia cover variations in 2000 for three consecutive issues.[16] She collaborated with the industry’s most esteemed photographers, including Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Juergen Teller, Peter Lindbergh and more. Her appearance in campaigns and runway shows for Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Dior, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Fendi, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Missoni, Moschino, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs and other leading luxury brands positioned her as a firmly established supermodel. In 2008, Hannelore created her first luxury design collaboration: a mini collection of handbags[17] for Belgian leatherware house Delvaux.

Ultramegalore

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The 2010 Hannelore Knuts career “anti-retrospective[16]”, ‘Ultramegalore[16]’ at Modemuseum Hasselt, gained widespread attention and reviews from media outlets such as The New York Times[16] and Interview Magazine.[18] The exhibition was curated by Hannelore and filled the museum’s three floors with installations featuring the photographers, designers, painters and musicians she worked with and was inspired by in her career so far. The expo featured an uncredited contribution by Nick Cave[19] as well as works by Ugo Rondinone, Juergen Teller, Azzedine Alaïa, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Luc Tuymans and more. The exhibition also led to a guest editorship[20] by Hannelore for the April 2010 issue of ELLE Belgium.

Later Work

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Following the first decade of her modelling career, Hannelore Knuts broadened her repertoire collaborating with fine art imagemakers like Michael Thompson, Tim Walker, Yelena Yemchuk, David Armstrong, Danko Steiner, Lernert & Sander, Joseph Lally, Urs Fischer, Mario Sorrenti and Philip Metten. She ventured out into different creative pursuits including acting and dance. Knuts made her official acting debut in 2010 film ‘Innercoma’, directed by Toon Aerts, followed by performances in Nicolas Provost’s 2011 drama ‘The Invader’. In 2012, she took on the role of David Bowie in the Radio Soulwax and Wim Reygaert film ‘Dave’, a performance that garnered critical acclaim.[21]

Hannelore was a participant in ‘Sterren op de Dansvloer’ (‘Dancing with the Stars’) on Belgian TV channel VTM in 2012 and danced the tango during the Jean Paul Gaultier SS13 runway show.

She then played the role of Maria Martins in Marcel Dzama’s ‘dadaist love story’ ‘A Jester’s Dance’[22] in 2013. Hannelore went on to collaborate with more artists and modelled as a muse for 2013 painting ‘The Angel’ by esteemed Belgian artist Michaël Borremans. Knuts later starred in the W Magazine short film ‘The Fight[23]’, directed by Douglas Keeve, alongside Glenn O’Brien and Arden Wohl.

Hannelore worked on creative direction and photography for Paris brand Pallas, designing demi-couture tailored looks[24] unveiled in 2013. She also acted as an editor-at-large for 10 magazine[25] and was credited as a stylist for Document Journal and Hermès Magazine. In 2014, Hannelore performed in a live art installation by Lawrence Malstaf which saw her vacuum-sealed above a Paris Fashion Week runway presentation by Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen.

Furthering her modelling legacy, Hannelore Knuts later became the face of high-profile campaigns, runway shows and magazine editorials for global brands like Gucci, Valentino Haute Couture, Harper’s Bazaar, Dior Beauty, Vogue Spain and landed a March 2023 cover for Wallpaper* magazine.

In early 2023, it was announced[26] that Hannelore would be a hosting jury member for new reality series ‘Belgium’s Next Top Model’, debuting on Streamz as from September 2023.

Advocacy and Mindfulness Teaching

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Beyond her modelling and creative career, Hannelore Knuts has been an advocate for mental health in the fashion industry and a charity campaign supporter. She acted as a spokesperson for Designers Against Aids in the Belgian Parliament[27] and raised awareness about the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by models, promoting open discussions on mental health through a series of talks.[28]

Hannelore also became a certified mindfulness and compassion meditation teacher in 2021 after completing the course taught by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield at UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center.[5] She shared her most useful mindfulness tips in a recurring 2022 TV segment titled ‘Happy Hannelore[29]’ on the programme ‘Iedereen Beroemd’.

Filmography

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TV and film work
Year Title Role Director Notes Ref.
1998 Een droom van een meisje as self documentary [30]
2003 Strike Me Pink as self Greg Kadel [31]
2010 Innercoma Mother of the Universe Philip Metten short film [32]
2010 Magnatricity Christian Joy short film [33]
2011 The Invader La naturiste Nicolas Provost [34]
2011 Natural Beauty as self Lernert and Sander short film [35]
2012 Dave Dave Wim Reygaert [36]
2012 Sterren op de Dansvloer as self Recurring [37]
2013 A Jester’s Dance Maria Marcel Dzama [38]
2013 Lust for Life as self Recurring [39]
2014 The Fight as self Douglas Keeve [40]
2016 Human Sanctuary as self Daniel Sannwald [41]
2022 Happy Hannelore as self Recurring [42]
2022 Vrede op Aarde as self TV appearance [43]
2023 De Ideale Wereld as self TV appearance [44]
2023 Belgium’s Next Top Model as self Recurring [45]

Bibliography

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  • Knuts, Hannelore (2010). Ultramegalore. Ludion ISBN 9789055449583[46]

References

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  1. ^ "Hannelore Knuts". Fashion Model Directory. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  2. ^ a b c d e theculturalomnivore (9 August 2021). "Hannelore Knuts On Modeling And Mindfulness". THE CULTURAL OMNIVORE. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Hannelore Knuts | Actress, Costume Designer". IMDb. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  4. ^ Antwerp, Art (10 December 2021). "Curated Highlights: Hannelore Knuts' Selection from Art Antwerp". Artsy. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  5. ^ a b "'This is it'". De Standaard (in Flemish). Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Hannelore Knuts". The Talks. 29 April 2015. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Hannelore Knuts: Fashion & wellbeing | Fashion Talks 2023". fashiontalks.be. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  8. ^ "MODELS.com's Industry Icons". models.com. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Hannelore Knuts. The model stylist". The Model CoOp. 12 May 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Model Hannelore Knuts". Getty Images. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Ninette Murk - Making The World A Better Place: Here's How!". BeautyForABetterWorld (in Dutch). 18 March 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  12. ^ "CAMPAIGN: MOSCHINO SS 1999". Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  13. ^ "Yohji Yamamoto Spring/Summer 1999 Catalogue". Rare Books Paris. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  14. ^ "Remembering Alexander McQueen's Wintry Fall 1999 Overlook Show With Model Frankie Rayder". Vogue. 24 December 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  15. ^ "Hannelore Knuts | SHOWstudio". showstudio.com. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d Anaya, Suleman (31 March 2010). "Museum of Model Art | Hannelore Knuts Hangs a Show". T Magazine. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  17. ^ "Topmodel Hannelore Knuts ontwerpt designtassen". Het Belang van Limburg (in Flemish). 19 December 2008. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  18. ^ "Hannelore Knuts". Interview Magazine. 21 February 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Hannelore Knuts on Instagram: "I wrote Nick Cave a letter once. To ask if he could give me 1 specific word for my #UltraMegaLore exhibition and book. I wrote like if I was a teenager again. My journey into adolescence and beyond started with him. A trigger would be installed at the entrance of the museum and whenever somebody would walk in they would be greeted by Nick. To start their journey into my world. He did. I send him a dictaphone and he recorded 5 takes, from a humble to a theatrical #WELCOME . I still have the dictaphone. Nothing ever has been recorded on there since. Only a few people knew who the voice was. It was this little something special thing between him and I. A few years down the line I feel like sharing. He also wrote it down so I could print it in my book. Welcome to your Sunday. Make it a nice journey into your weekdays and beyond! HK & NC #HanneloreKnuts and #NickCave amongst other #fashion #art #music #royalty for #UltraMegaLore in #ModeMuseumHasselt with graphic design and creative support by #Base #design Xx"". Instagram. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  20. ^ "Hannelore Knuts maakt eigen 'Elle'". Het Nieuwsblad (in Flemish). 17 March 2010. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  21. ^ "'Hannelore Knuts is enorm goede David Bowie'". De Standaard (in Flemish). 17 October 2012. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  22. ^ "Marcel Dzama: Une Danse des Bouffons (A Jester's Dance)". David Zwirner. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  23. ^ "The Fight". W Magazine. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  24. ^ Dazed (15 May 2013). "Hannelore Knuts for Pallas". Dazed. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  25. ^ "You searched for hannelore - Page 2 of 2". 10 Magazine. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  26. ^ Philipsen, Lotte (28 January 2023). "Hannelore Knuts is jurylid voor Belgium's Next Top Model: 'We dromen van een diverse cast modellen'". Weekend (in Dutch). Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  27. ^ "IN BEELD. Topmodel Hannelore Knuts speldt Kamerleden rood lintje op". De Standaard (in Flemish). 28 November 2013. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  28. ^ "At Antwerp's Fashion Talks, designers imagine the future". Flanders DC. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  29. ^ "VRT MAX". www.vrt.be. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  30. ^ "Een droom van een meisje". De Morgen.
  31. ^ "Fashion Film: Strike Me Pink | SHOWstudio". showstudio.com. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  32. ^ Aerts, Toon (26 June 2010), Innercoma (Short), Hannelore Knuts, Igor Paszkiewicz, Czar Film, retrieved 24 August 2023
  33. ^ Dazed (11 November 2010). "Christian Joy and Hannelore Knuts Film". Dazed. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  34. ^ Provost, Nicolas (23 November 2011), L'envahisseur (Drama, Thriller), Issaka Sawadogo, Stefania Rocca, Serge Riaboukine, Versus Production, Prime Time, Hepp Film, retrieved 24 August 2023
  35. ^ "Studio Lernert & Sander — Natural Beauty". lernertandsander.com. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  36. ^ Reygaert, Wim (18 October 2012), Dave (Music), Maarten Claeyssens, Michiel Geluykens, Nicolas Karakatsanis, Caviar Films, retrieved 24 August 2023
  37. ^ "Topmodel Hannelore Knuts in 'Sterren op de dansvloer'". De Morgen (in Dutch). 21 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Marcel Dzama: Une Danse des Bouffons (A Jester's Dance)". David Zwirner. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  39. ^ NWS, VRT (9 October 2013). ""Lust for life" is nieuw lifestyleprogramma op Eén". vrtnws.be (in Dutch). Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  40. ^ "The Fight". W Magazine. 20 March 2014. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  41. ^ "Human Sanctuary © Daniel Sannwald". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  42. ^ "VRT MAX". www.vrt.be. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  43. ^ "VRT MAX". www.vrt.be. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  44. ^ "VRT MAX". www.vrt.be. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  45. ^ "Gloednieuw seizoen 'Belgium's Next Top Model' binnenkort te zien op Streamz". Het Laatste Nieuws (in Dutch). 3 August 2023. Retrieved 24 August 2023.
  46. ^ Knuts, Hannelore (1 January 2010). Hannelore Knuts - Ultramegalore. Antwerpe: Ludion. ISBN 978-90-5544-958-3.
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