Michon Van As is a captivating force hailing from the Netherlands, with a multicultural upbringing across East and Southern Africa. Growing up in countries like Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Kenya, she developed a global perspective and a deep appreciation for diverse cultures. As the youngest of three sisters, Michon’s competitive spirit thrived, excelling as a prominent sports player in varsity football, volleyball, go-karting, and swimming.
Her academic journey took her to the prestigious London School of Economics & Political Science, where she pursued a BSc in Environmental Economics, graduating with First Class honours. During her time at LSE, Michon ventured into the world of modelling, signing with NEXT Model Management and making waves in the fashion industry. Scouted by Alice Sinclair, a distinguished figure in the modelling industry and fellow LSE student, Michon’s career gained momentum as she established herself as an international model.
With a dynamic presence, Michon has graced the runways and campaigns of renowned brands worldwide. From her base in London to her successful modelling ventures in Los Angeles and New York, she has worked with esteemed agencies such as Heartbreak Management, ONE.1 Management, SELECT Model Management, and more. Michon’s striking features have graced editorials for prestigious publications like ELLE UK, Hunger Magazine, and Country & Townhouse Magazine.
Beyond the fashion industry, Michon’s passion for advocacy led her to become the Vice President of Partnerships for Model Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering and protecting models. Alongside her modelling endeavours, she pursued an INSEAD MBA, further expanding her business acumen.
Currently based in New York City, Michon continues to make her mark as a versatile and influential model, captivating audiences with her talent, resilience, and commitment to making a positive impact in the fashion world and beyond.
Looking back at your modelling career, what has been the most memorable runway show or campaign you were a part of, and why?
MV: There are a few! All for very different reasons. On the runway, the moment I felt ‘oh, I’m really doing this’ was when I opened and closed the Peter Pilotto show (SS13). It’s always an honour for a brand to entrust you with an opening or closing of their show, and to score both was definitely a moment to remember. I’ll also never forget the KTZ (SS13) show because I was wearing these ungodly high heels that, only seconds before I stepped onto the runway, snapped in half, quite literally. They had fixed it just in time for the last look to go on, so I guess I closed another show that season! In terms of jobs, there are the jobs that stand out because they are big names in fashion—Dior, Mulberry, Stella McCartney, Paul Smith, and more—but the job that will always have a special place in my heart are the campaigns I’ve done for We Are Handsome, an Australian Swimwear and Activewear brand. Traveling the world with that team shooting campaigns was total bliss—we even swam with whale sharks during one of the campaign trips—hands down, the coolest photo I have on my camera roll is me swimming along a whale shark in a We Are Handsome swimsuit.
How did your experience studying BSc Environmental Economics at LSE influence your perspective on the fashion industry and your role as a model?
MV: My bachelor’s degree from the London School of Economics dove into all aspects of environmental economics and sustainable development, from biochemistry to sustainability policy—carbon pricing, tax, etc. Coming into modelling with that academic background influenced my perspective in that I understood the underbelly of the industry—how the production of clothing negatively impacts our environment and the unsustainable worker conditions on the factory floor. I also have a ton of respect for my friends in the industry, like my close friend Ada Martini, who has taken a bold stance and only works for sustainable brands. (She’s also written an awesome novel called Green Glam—go read it!).
You’ve had the opportunity to work with various agencies in different locations. How have these international experiences shaped your career and personal growth as a model?
MV: It’s humbling to be out of your comfort zone—less ego, your senses are heightened, you’re forced to be present, and also naturally question yourself and the situations you’re in more. I believe that all the travelling I did growing up—moving roughly every 3 years across Southern and Eastern Africa—and then also with Modelling, has kept me in that always-a-bit-uncomfortable state, which has undoubtedly shaped my personal and professional growth. It’s grown me into an adaptable, flexible, and open-minded person. Professionally, it’s made me want to seek out agencies in different countries and those experiences. Of course, not all trips led to a huge paycheck or awesome new big client (like when I lived in Greece for 3 weeks?!), but it’s the moments in my career I remember the strongest and cherish.
As the VP of Partnerships for Model Alliance, a non-profit serving models, how has this role impacted your understanding of the industry and your advocacy for models’ rights?
MV: My experience as a volunteer and VIP of Partnerships for Model Alliance taught me so much. Working closely with models and hearing about their lived experiences—untimely pay or not getting paid at all, unfair work conditions, and sexual misconduct and harassment—gave me powerful insights into how little support and safety net exists in the model industry. Until then I had known of stories and instances but was uneducated on exactly how little support and accountability there is. It determined me to contribute my time and experience to drive meaningful change and partnerships and work towards industry-wide reforms.
Can you share a challenging moment or obstacle you faced during your modelling career and how you overcame it?
MV: A difficult period in my career was establishing myself in the US, specifically when I relocated from London to Los Angeles. At first, the struggle was more around getting settled. Everything works differently in the US, so finding a home, car, or credit card without a preexisting credit score (which I didn’t have in Europe) took a lot out of me at the time. Then it shifted to being a challenging time in my career. I wasn’t working much—there would be weeks when I didn’t book a single job. The idle time did little good for my mental health (and financial health, too, of course). It took a pretty drastic ‘project’ to get me back in the groove of things. I spent my little savings on getting a health coach (if anyone is looking, Shauna Faulisi is incredible)! I worked with her for 2-3 months and got a personal trainer. Within 5 months, I was back to work 4 times a week. More than how I ‘looked,’ I think it gave me a sense of purpose and confidence again.
With your diverse background in sports, how has your athletic background influenced your modelling work, and what skills from sports do you find applicable in the fashion industry?
MV: It’s allowed me to rack up quite the list of activewear and fitness brands over the years—Lululemon, Underarmour, We Are Handsome and more. It’s also given me the confidence to bring that ‘fake it till you make it energy to castings where I had never actually done the sport they were asking for. I remember when I got a casting through asking if I could ride a horse (it was a midwestern clothing brand, so I think cowgirl vibes). I had ridden a few times as a young kid but not in the last few years. I was in NYC, thinking of where I could possibly learn to ride a horse in a week. I found a spot just outside the city where I begged to give me lessons. I went three times that week and booked the job. Or that time, I had to learn the basics in kickboxing to send to Lululemon. Ultimately, I booked their running campaign (so clearly didn’t kickbox well enough, haha).
Reflecting on your editorial work, which collaboration is the most creatively fulfilling, and why?
MV: The editorial I did for USED Magazine, shot by Sayaka Maruyama, stands out. It was an editorial photoshoot, shot right in Sayaka’s living room at the time, in Hackney, London. We got to roll in paint, creating these cool prints on our bodies. Beyond that, it was very simple makeup, in a bralette, high-waisted underwear, and a wig—it took me back to this child-like creative expression that felt pure and free. The other editorial that stands out was for YOU magazine, shot by Diana Gomez. The set design was incredible—staged as a fake supermarket, but all the products were in pastel colours. Again, it transported me to this alternate universe.
Throughout your career, you’ve been part of both high-profile campaigns and niche projects. How do you balance commercial success and artistic expression as a model?
MV: For many years I didn’t think too much about the balance—luckily, because I worked well as a crossover, jumping between the stereotypically low-paid-but-creative and well-paid-but-uncreative commercial jobs. And I put a lot of trust in my agency to manage that balance, too, ensuring I wasn’t leaning too much toward one side. I wish I would have taken more accountability over managing the balance, or at least had a stronger opinion on it, because my career has been predominantly commercial for the last few years. I don’t feel too balanced at all!
How has being based in different fashion capitals, such as London, Los Angeles, and New York, influenced your modelling style and career trajectory?
MV: You adapt your modelling style to the market just as much as the market influences your modelling style. In London, where I first started modelling, I adopted a more gritty & grungy style. I remember I was told to wear skinny jeans, dark colours, no makeup, and natural hair. Then in Los Angeles, clients resonated more with the ‘girl-next-door’ look, and my agency told me no dark clothes, to come to casting with blown-out hair, and I was encouraged to rock a fake tan. Then in NYC, it feels like anything goes. I settled into ‘my style’ and went with that. It also depends on where you are in your career as well. Naturally, when starting out, you mould to whatever you are told or think works. As you mature with the job and industry, you take more autonomy—as with anything!
With your recent INSEAD MBA studies, how do you envision leveraging your modelling experience and business knowledge to contribute to the fashion industry in the future?
MV: I have no clue yet, but that’s the fun part!? I’ve spent the last decade building my toolkit and am excited to see where it brings me. The INSEAD MBA was such a transformative year in my life. It was quite an aggressive change and pushed me to my limits in many ways, both professionally and personally. Since the MBA, I’ve taken a role as Marketing Director for a video game company I love, and I’m learning a ton from it. I’m sure it will all come full circle where I can fuse my experience in business, sustainability, gaming, and modelling…stay tuned!
