KAREN MULDER

Karen Mulder: The Dutch Supermodel Who Defined '90s Glamour

Early Life and Discovery

Karen Mulder was born on June 1, 1970, in Vlaardingen, Netherlands. She grew up in The Hague and Voorburg, with her father, Ben, a tax inspector, and her mother, Marijke, a secretary. Karen has a younger sister, Saskia, who later pursued a career in acting. In 1985, during a family camping trip in the south of France, Karen came across an advertisement for Elite Model Management's "Look of the Year" contest. A friend submitted her photos without her knowledge, leading to her winning the preliminary contest in Amsterdam and placing second in the world finals. This success prompted her to sign with Elite Paris, marking the beginning of her modeling career. ​

Rise to Supermodel Status

By her second year on the runway, Mulder was modeling for top fashion houses such as Valentino, Yves Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Christian Lacroix, Versace, and Giorgio Armani. In 1991, she appeared on the cover of Vogue, further solidifying her status in the fashion industry. She also became the face of Guess and Nivea in 1991. Throughout her career, she participated in campaigns for Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, Yves Saint Laurent's Rive Gauche fragrance, Guerlain, Chloé, Revlon, Jacques Fath, Gianfranco Ferré, Gianni Versace, Chanel, and Hervé Léger. Mulder worked with renowned fashion photographers, including Peter Lindbergh, Patrick Demarchelier, Bruce Weber, Helmut Newton, Steven Meisel, Irving Penn, and Arthur Elgort. ​

Victoria's Secret and Media Appearances

In 1992, Mulder signed a contract with Victoria's Secret, becoming one of the original Victoria's Secret Angels from 1997 to 2000. She appeared in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue in 1997 and 1998, further increasing her visibility. Mulder's resemblance to a "real-life Barbie" was frequently noted, contributing to her popularity in the fashion world. ​

Personal Life and Challenges

In 1988, at the age of 18, Mulder married French photographer René Bosne, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1993. She later became engaged to real estate developer Jean-Yves Le Fur. In 1995, they collaborated with Hasbro to create a Karen Mulder doll, leading to a line of dolls inspired by supermodels of the time. Mulder also released a beauty and fashion CD-ROM, offering makeup, beauty, and exercise tips. ​

In the early 2000s, Mulder faced significant personal challenges. In 2001, during a television interview, she made allegations of sexual assault against several individuals, including executives at her former modeling agency. Following these events, she was hospitalized for depression and spent several months in a psychiatric facility. In December 2002, Mulder attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills but recovered after being hospitalized. ​

Return to the Public Eye

After a period away from the spotlight, Mulder ventured into music, releasing a cover of "I Am What I Am" in 2002, which achieved some success in France. She continued her musical pursuits, collaborating with Daniel Chenevez of the group Niagara to produce a self-titled album in 2004. In 2006, she gave birth to a daughter named Anna. Mulder made a brief return to modeling in 2007, walking the runway for Dior's Autumn/Winter 07/08 Couture Collection in Paris. ​

Karen Mulder's journey from a young girl in the Netherlands to an international supermodel is marked by both remarkable achievements and profound personal struggles. Her story serves as a testament to the complexities of fame and the importance of mental health awareness in the fashion industry.​