It Girl Andrea
The winner of Canada’s Next Top Model gets a crash course in haute shopping.
By Leah Rumack
Photography by Davida Nemeroff. Hair and makeup by Min Min Ma for artistgrouplimited.com.
She is forgiven for the baby blue hoodie–cum–legwarmers DIY fashion issue. She is forgiven for the candy hoarding and the intermittent weeping. In fact, all has been forgiven since 19-year-old Andrea Muizelaar beat out a bevy of catty wannabes to snag the title of Canada’s Next Top Model, on Citytv, in front of millions of viewers. The girl from small-town Ontario, whose previous fashion shopping diet consisted of Salvation Army, has come to FASHION Magazine for a crash course on her essential model wardrobe. Because now that she’s going to walk the walk in her winning contract with Sutherland Models, by God the poor girl needs something to wear.
“I put this together myself,” she says proudly, gesturing toward her outfit of leggings and a tunic (“Um, Kensington Market?”) with chunky jewellery (part Mom find at a garage sale, part Goodwill) and gladiator sandals ($25 at Payless). “Suddenly I’m surrounded by people who know fashion, and I don’t. I’m really trying to catch up.”
We decide she’ll need cool backstage and go-see wardrobes, a dressier outfit or two for events, and some fabulous shoes. We design a complete wardrobe-shopping day.
“You’re all so nice,” she says, amazed. “I thought you’d all be mean.”
We clamber into the waiting cab. “I’m Canada’s Next Top Model, by the way,” she says, smiling beatifically at the oblivious driver.
Our first stop is Over the Rainbow (101 Yorkville Ave., Toronto, 416-967-7448, rainbowjeans.com ) for casual backstage and go-see outfits. She chats like a seasoned politician to teenage fans (“When are those braces coming off? Soon?”) and a TV crew from ET Canada. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to even turn the pages,” she confesses, when asked about her first appearance in FASHION. “All I ever wanted was one little picture in the paper or a brochure or whatever.”
She oohs and aahs over Earnest Sewn jeans (“These give me a good bum”), a baby-doll eyelet tank by Roxy, and a Citizens of Humanity denim skirt. When she’s told that local jewellery line Foxy Originals wants to offer her a necklace, she nearly expires from gratitude. “The second I get home, I’m going to call my mom and tell her, ‘Guess what? I got a free necklace!’”
“She’s like a fashion newborn,” whispers the ET producer.
On the way to lunch, paparazzi behind trees are snapping her picture. She is oblivious as she tucks into her de rigueur fruit salad (well, she is a model, after all). If it all seems a bit surreal, there’s good reason.
“I had the door slammed in my face, like, every two weeks,” she says about her previous attempts to jump-start a modelling career. Even her own agency gave her a five-minute once-over and said maybe some other time.
“They told me I was wearing too much makeup and to grow my hair and to come back when my eyebrows were done,” she says, laughing.
For our next stop, we head to TNT Woman (87 Avenue Rd., Toronto, 416-975-1810, tntthenewtrend.com) for some fancier goods. “Yeah!” she says. “Let’s play dress-up!”
As it happens, the girl who was often criticized on the show for being “too skinny” but admittedly “perfect for couture” (read: skinny and edgy) happens to suit designer clothes quite nicely, thank you very much.
“She looks amazing in clothes,” says Susie Sheffman, FASHION’s fashion director, approvingly.
Andrea poses in a chic ensemble made up of a very grown-up 3.1 Phillip Lim camel wool cape, a black Theory turtleneck T-shirt, and round-toed, black suede shoes from Donald J Pliner.
“Oh my God, I wish I could just pick this stuff out myself,” she says. “I’m not going to run around shopping like an idiot. Basically, I’m waiting for direction so I can buy the right things.”
She confesses that she’s never been to any of the stores we’ve taken her so far. In fact, being from Whitby, Ontario, she’s never even been to the neighbourhood. But she’s started boning up on all things style by reading fashion magazines. She was a bit busy before, but that’s what staying on the dean’s list, in her hotel management course at George Brown College, will do. “Before, I read my textbook,” Andrea says, laughing. “Now I read Vogue.”
Robert Downey Jr. is in the store.
“What?!” she hisses, practically knocking over a mannequin while turning around. “Oh my God, should I go introduce myself? Should I go say hi?!”
“Oh, honey,” someone tsk-tsks, “you’re going to be meeting people a lot bigger than that.”
Our last stop is Davids (66 Bloor St. W., Toronto, 416-920-1000) for shoes. While earlier in the day, Andrea said she couldn’t really understand why people would spend designer dollars on clothes and shoes, she becomes instantly besotted with the collection of Marc Jacobs shoes and is easily tempted into slipping on a pair of Christian Louboutin heels.
“You mean Payless doesn’t have these?” she says, winking. She parades up and down the length of the store.
“The shoes that look the hottest aren’t that comfortable,” she says sagely. “But you just have to suck it up.”
And now that she’s got her jeans and her chic clothes and her shoes, we’re done. “Yeah, that’s a wrap!” she calls out, clapping. The whole store, at first a little confused, eventually joins in.
Oh, dear, sweet, unassuming Andrea—if you turn into a phone-chucking diva supermodel in a year, we’ll never forgive you.
First published in FASHION Magazine October 2006
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Cindy writes:
Really enjoyed the article on Andrea...have been watching for something since she won CNTM.
—posted September 12, 2006 at 1:02 p.m.
Tracy writes:
I was co-worker of Heather's before she was on CNTM...loved the show. I've been looking for the layout of Andrea in FASHION Magazine. When will it be out?
—posted September 12, 2006 at 9:33 p.m.
Joe writes:
As Andrea's neighbour from Whitby, I can say that Andrea truly deserves every second of fame she gets. She's such a great girl with an amazing personality and determination like no other...GO ANDREA!
—posted September 13, 2006 at 1:19 a.m.
Christine Walewski, on-line editor writes:
The October issue will be will be available on newsstands on September 18.
—posted September 13, 2006 at 9:33 a.m.
melly writes:
Wow, I still can't believe she won. I never liked her and I still don't.
—posted September 13, 2006 at 10:25 a.m.
Christina writes:
I am happy for Andrea, I think she's a nice girl but I don't like that she immediately started bashing the judges in her CTV interview. I wish that reality show contestants would stop bashing the judges as soon as the show is over. Where's the gratitude? Just remember who gave you your soapbox and your audience when you're standing on it.
—posted September 14, 2006 at 12:58 p.m.
Mike writes:
I think Andrea was the obvious choice for CNTM. She was the only girl who looked like a model. Whether you liked her personality or not...she fit the bill best. I can't wait to see more of her.
—posted September 15, 2006 at 2:41 p.m.
rachel from oshawa writes:
Andrea may not have been the obvious choice for a high-end fashion model, and actually, even now after reading this article, she may not seem the "typical" winner for CNTM. BUT, BUT, BUT...it is very refreshing to see someone so natural, so girl-next-door, so naive, transform into a mature, still beautiful, and wild-looking model while maintaining her grace and class. Excellent choice...and by the sounds of it, Andrea will soon have a large collection of stylish shoes! Especially proud that I live in her neighbouring city, Oshawa. Any negative comments = jealousy! Congrats!
—posted September 19, 2006 at 12:24 a.m.
neighbour writes:
I'm Andrea's next door neighbour. We didn't always get along, but even I can admit...great job, man.
—posted September 19, 2006 at 7:31 p.m.
paige writes:
She's not a horrible model, but shouldn't have won.
—posted September 27, 2006 at 3:06 p.m.
Not a fan writes:
Sisi should have won.
—posted October 10, 2006 at 12:56 p.m.
Ian writes:
Having watched CNTM from the beginning, I have to say that Andrea won from day one. So very pretty, and after she won, met me at the St. Vital mall here in Winnipeg, where we chatted. Great, gorgeous woman. And Andrea, what you said to me remains a secret, babe!
—posted October 14, 2006 at 12:49 p.m.
sigh. writes:
The only girl who looked like a model? Are you freaking kidding me? Sisi was robbed blind.
—posted October 16, 2006 at 11:59 p.m.
wanda writes:
I was cheering her on from the start and am happy she won. I just hope now that she matures into a gracious dignified young woman. After all she is also an ambassador for Canada and we want people everywhere to know we are great people. Congrats again Andrea and may God bless your career.
—posted October 19, 2006 at 12:04 p.m.
Lana writes:
It's a little disappointing to see Andrea as the first CNTM cycle's winner. Too cliche. I hope the second season will produce a more deserving winner.
—posted November 6, 2006 at 8:02 p.m.
mischa writes:
I wasn't very happy when I saw Andrea win CNTM, because I thought that Alana was a lot prettier..but now it seems, that when Andrea cleans up, she cleans up good because she looks a lot better now than she did while she was on the show...she actually looks very pretty now :)
—posted November 14, 2006 at 3:41 p.m.
GRRrr writes:
I AGREE, SISI WAS ROBBED! I don't like Andrea and never will.
—posted December 18, 2006 at 9:27 p.m.
alidoesntlikeandrea writes:
I never liked Andrea, Sisi was the obvious choice for the title.
—posted December 21, 2006 at 6:15 p.m.
Tiffany writes:
I didn't like Andrea at all. I have no idea why they picked her. Sisi should have won. But, either way, Sisi got into some other place more than likely, so whatever.
—posted December 31, 2006 at 8:43 p.m.
Holly writes:
I've always like Andrea...never really liked Sisi though. I knew she'd win.
—posted January 26, 2007 at 12:55 p.m.
nameless writes:
what is up with people bashing Andrea? I mean come on she won for a reason... and as for Sisi... she reminds me of Yoko... John Lennon's wife... does anybody else see that?
—posted February 21, 2007 at 4 p.m.
Ashley writes:
I really have to say, to the people bashing Andrea, why do you have to judge her because of what you've seen in a TV show? The media can be deceiving. You people can have your opinions, but at least show some respect for this girl. I went to high school with Andrea, and was in one of her classes. She is an amazing person and deserved everything that she got. That show potrayed Andrea as some little whiney cry baby girl. When that's not really who she is. It makes me sick that so many people are cruel and have to pick on people because they may not be as fortunate as others. So what if she bought clothes from salvation army? That doesn't make her a different person. She is who she is and if you can't accept that then that's your problem.
Way to go Andrea, you've had my vote from day 1. I miss talking with you! You were lots of fun!
—posted March 9, 2007 at 4:03 a.m.
Lara writes:
In my opinion Andrea deserved it a lot, she's so pretty.
—posted June 25, 2007 at 6:47 p.m.
Debbie writes:
Yah - I LOVED Andrea! I think she really deserved it!
—posted July 26, 2007 at 8:34 p.m.
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