Kate Goodling first appeared in print in 2012, donning a pair of Dolce Vitas in a winter lookbook for Stumptown-based shoe company Solestruck. By September 2013, the 23-year-old Portland native had walked for nearly every major fashion house around the world and been heralded as one of the hippest new faces in modeling by Vogue Italia, Style.com, and Models.com. How did it happen? “She’s the total package,” gushes Style.com fashion writer Brittany Adams, “with a combination of all-American good looks, editorial appeal, and a killer runway body.” 

We chronicle Goodling’s journey from studying English literature at the University of Oregon to strutting Parisian runways for Chanel and Valentino.

February 2012: Discovery

Modeling agencies scouted Goodling in her youth, but she remembers being “way too shy at the time to want anything to do with it.” In 2012, a classmate persuaded Goodling to submit a headshot for Solestruck’s “On the Road” lookbook. She was cast immediately. Soon after, local agency Q6 signed Goodling and booked her for a shoot for Pendleton’s Portland Collection.

January 2013: Big-Time Booking 

After building her portfolio, Q6 helped Goodling sign with New York–based Ford Models (whose veterans include Twiggy, Christy Turlington, and Elle Macpherson). Ford then booked Goodling for fall fashion-week shows in New York and Europe.   

September 2013: Fashion week

On her maiden voyage down the catwalk at New York’s Fashion Week, Goodling both opened and closed iconic designer Alexander Wang’s highly praised show.

October 2013: Supermodel Status

After creating runway buzz in New York, Goodling jetted off to Paris. Designer lines Chloé and Dior even broke their long-standing tradition of never sharing a model during fashion week—both refused to give Goodling up, and she appeared in both shows in the same day.

January 2014: Face of j brand

Goodling now serves as one of the primary models for this California-based clothing line, showing off its signature super-skinny silhouettes.

Conquering the Catwalk: Goodling’s 2013 Runway Roster

New York: Alexander Wang • Altuzzara • Calvin Klein • Edun
J. Mendel • Marc by Marc Jacobs • Narciso Rodriguez • Reed Krakoff
Tommy Hilfiger • Victoria Beckham • Yigal Azrouel

Milan: Aquilano Rimondi • Fendi • Francesco Scognamiglio
Gabriele Colangelo • Iceberg • Jil Sander • Marni • Missoni • Salvatore Ferragamo

Paris: Acne Studios • Balenciaga • Chanel • Chloé • Christian Dior
Dries Van Noten • Gareth Pugh • Giambattista Valli • Givenchy • Hermès • Lanvin
Maison Martin Margiela • Maiyet • Nina Ricci • Paco Rabanne • Pedro Lourenco
Sacai • Sonia Rykiel • Valentino • Viktor & Rolf