COCO ROCHA

Coco Rocha is a renowned Canadian fashion model celebrated for her dynamic posing ability and advocacy for model rights.

Early Life and Background

Born Mikhaila Rocha on September 10, 1988, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Coco Rocha was raised in Richmond, British Columbia. She is of Irish, Portuguese, and Ukrainian descent. Her parents worked in the airline industry, with her mother as a flight attendant and her father as a ticket manager. Rocha has two siblings. She attended Hugh McRoberts Secondary School in Richmond. Her modeling career began at age 14 when she was discovered at an Irish dance competition. 

Modeling Career

Rocha's modeling career took off in 2006 after being featured in a Vogue editorial by photographer Steven Meisel. She quickly became known for her expressive posing and has walked for major designers including Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, Christian Lacroix, and Louis Vuitton. Rocha has appeared on the covers of numerous international fashion magazines and has been the face of campaigns for brands such as Chanel, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Lanvin, and Yves Saint Laurent. 

Advocacy and Education

Beyond modeling, Rocha is an advocate for model rights and education. In 2018, she founded the Coco Rocha Model Camp, a multi-day masterclass offering aspiring models personalized training and industry insights. Rocha emphasizes the importance of understanding contracts, branding, and social media in building a sustainable modeling career. 

Personal Life

Rocha is a devout Jehovah's Witness and has been open about how her faith influences her career choices, including her refusal to pose nude or with cigarettes. She married artist James Conran on June 9, 2010. The couple has three children: daughters Ioni James (born March 28, 2015) and Iley Ryn (born November 22, 2020), and son Iver Eames (born April 20, 2018). 

Coco Rocha continues to influence the fashion industry through her modeling, advocacy, and educational initiatives, inspiring a new generation of models to approach their careers with professionalism and integrity.