{{short description|Belgian actress and fashion model}} {{Tone|date=August 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}} {{Infobox model | name = Hannelore Knuts | image = Hannelore Knuts by Lalo Gonzalez.jpg | image_size = | caption = Hannelore Knuts by Lalo Gonzalez | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1977|11|4}}<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.fashionmodeldirectory.com/models/hannelore_knuts/ |title= Hannelore Knuts |publisher= Fashion Model Directory |accessdate= 2014-12-14}}</ref> | birth_place = Hasselt, Belgium | death_date = | death_place = | hair_color = Brunette (current) | eye_color = Blue | website = | agency =Platform Agency (Amsterdam), Elite (Paris), Models 1 (London), The Model CoOp (New York) |height_cm=178|occupation=Model, actress & media personality, artist, meditation teacher}}
'''Hannelore Knuts''' (born 4 November 1977) is a Belgian model,<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=theculturalomnivore |date=2021-08-09 |title=Hannelore Knuts On Modeling And Mindfulness |url=https://theculturalomnivore.co.uk/2021/08/09/hannelore-knuts-on-modeling-and-mindfulness/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=THE CULTURAL OMNIVORE |language=en}}</ref> actress,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hannelore Knuts {{!}} Actress, Costume Designer |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4730437/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=IMDb |language=en-US}}</ref> and artist<ref>{{Cite web |last=Antwerp |first=Art |date=2021-12-10 |title=Curated Highlights: Hannelore Knuts' Selection from Art Antwerp |url=https://www.artsy.net/article/art-antwerp-curated-highlights-hannelore-knuts-selection-art |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Artsy |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title='This is it' |url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20220524_95456875 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=De Standaard |language=nl-BE}}</ref> known for her androgynous appearance<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-04-29 |title=Hannelore Knuts |url=https://the-talks.com/interview/hannelore-knuts/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=The Talks |language=en-US}}</ref> and versatility.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hannelore Knuts: Fashion & wellbeing {{!}} Fashion Talks 2023 |url=https://fashiontalks.be/en-gb/hannelore-knuts:-fashion-and-wellbeing/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=fashiontalks.be}}</ref> Throughout her career, she has collaborated with numerous top photographers like Steven Meisel, Inez and Vinoodh, Karl Lagerfeld, Steven Klein and Juergen Teller as well as designers and brands including Alexander McQueen, Prada, Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Jean Paul Gaultier, Valentino, Dolce & Gabbana, Ann Demeulemeester and many more. She has appeared on multiple international covers of Vogue as well as V, Dazed, Harper’s Bazaar and L’Officiel - solidifying her position as an icon<ref>{{Cite web |title=MODELS.com's Industry Icons |url=https://models.com/rankings/ui/IndustryIcons/5365#5365 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=models.com}}</ref> in the world of fashion.
== Beginnings and the Belgian Wave == Hannelore Knuts was introduced to fashion as a photography student at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-05-12 |title=Hannelore Knuts. The model stylist |url=https://www.themodelcoop.com/social/2018/5/1/test-layout |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=The Model CoOp |language=en-US}}</ref> She participated in the annual Antwerp Fashion Department student fashion show of 1998<ref name=":0" /> which included the graduate collection of notable designer Bernhard Willhelm. That first appearance as a student led to her walking the runway for Veronique Branquinho<ref>{{Cite web |title=Model Hannelore Knuts |url=https://www.gettyimages.ie/detail/news-photo/model-hannelore-knuts-news-photo/1439026292 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Getty Images |date=7 November 2022 |language=en-gb}}</ref> in 1998, which caught the attention of a modelling scout<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-18 |title=Ninette Murk - Making The World A Better Place: Here's How! |url=https://beautyforabetterworld.org/?p=1663 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=BeautyForABetterWorld |language=nl-NL}}</ref> and led to a feature role in a documentary on rising models. Despite initially declining the offer to become a fulltime model, Hannelore eventually took the opportunity and started her modelling career, quickly landing an influential Steven Meisel campaign for Moschino<ref>{{Cite web |title=CAMPAIGN: MOSCHINO SS 1999 |url=https://www.scannedfashionworld.com/2020/02/campaign-moschino-ss-1999.html |access-date=2023-08-23}}</ref> and Yohji Yamamoto catalogue<ref>{{Cite web |title=Yohji Yamamoto Spring/Summer 1999 Catalogue |url=https://rarebooksparis.com/products/yohji-yamamoto-spring-summer-1999-catalogue |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Rare Books Paris |language=en}}</ref> for spring-summer 1999.
Her androgynous features quickly garnered recognition, and she gained significant exposure through her early runway and editorial work with prestigious designers such as Alexander McQueen<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018-12-24 |title=Remembering Alexander McQueen's Wintry Fall 1999 Overlook Show With Model Frankie Rayder |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/behind-the-scenes-of-alexander-mcqueens-wintry-fall-1999-show-with-frankie-rayder |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref> and Jil Sander<ref name=":0" /> while becoming the protégé<ref name=":0" /> of acclaimed photographers Inez and Vinoodh. Her remarkably swift international breakthrough kickstarted<ref name=":0" /> what is now known as the ‘Belgian Wave<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hannelore Knuts {{!}} SHOWstudio |url=https://showstudio.com/contributors/hannelore_knuts |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=showstudio.com |language=en}}</ref>’ of models dominating the ‘00s fashion industry.
== 2000s icon == Throughout the early 2000s, Hannelore Knuts became a distinct presence in fashion, gracing the coveted covers and editorials of magazines like Vogue, W Magazine, i-D, Self Service, V, Dazed, Numéro, Jalouse and many more, landing a record number of five Vogue Italia cover variations in 2000 for three consecutive issues.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Anaya |first=Suleman |date=2010-03-31 |title=Museum of Model Art {{!}} Hannelore Knuts Hangs a Show |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/tmagazine.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/31/museum-of-model-art-hannelore-knuts-hangs-a-show/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=T Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> She collaborated with the industry’s most esteemed photographers, including Steven Klein, Steven Meisel, Patrick Demarchelier, Juergen Teller, Peter Lindbergh and more. Her appearance in campaigns and runway shows for Prada, Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Dior, Versace, Jean Paul Gaultier, Fendi, Givenchy, Alexander McQueen, Missoni, Moschino, Valentino, Louis Vuitton, Dries Van Noten, Miu Miu, Marc Jacobs and other leading luxury brands positioned her as a firmly established supermodel. In 2008, Hannelore created her first luxury design collaboration: a mini collection of handbags<ref>{{Cite web |date=2008-12-19 |title=Topmodel Hannelore Knuts ontwerpt designtassen |url=https://www.hbvl.be/cnt/aid936236 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Het Belang van Limburg |language=nl-BE}}</ref> for Belgian leatherware house Delvaux.
== Ultramegalore == The 2010 Hannelore Knuts career “anti-retrospective<ref name=":1" />”, ‘Ultramegalore<ref name=":1" />’ at Modemuseum Hasselt, gained widespread attention and reviews from media outlets such as The New York Times<ref name=":1" /> and Interview Magazine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-02-21 |title=Hannelore Knuts |url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/art/hannelore-knuts |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Interview Magazine |language=en-US}}</ref> The exhibition was curated by Hannelore and filled the museum’s three floors with installations featuring the photographers, designers, painters and musicians she worked with and was inspired by in her career so far. The expo featured an uncredited contribution by Nick Cave<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hannelore Knuts on Instagram: "I wrote Nick Cave a letter once. To ask if he could give me 1 specific word for my #UltraMegaLore exhibition and book. I wrote like if I was a teenager again. My journey into adolescence and beyond started with him. A trigger would be installed at the entrance of the museum and whenever somebody would walk in they would be greeted by Nick. To start their journey into my world. He did. I send him a dictaphone and he recorded 5 takes, from a humble to a theatrical #WELCOME . I still have the dictaphone. Nothing ever has been recorded on there since. Only a few people knew who the voice was. It was this little something special thing between him and I. A few years down the line I feel like sharing. He also wrote it down so I could print it in my book. Welcome to your Sunday. Make it a nice journey into your weekdays and beyond! HK & NC #HanneloreKnuts and #NickCave amongst other #fashion #art #music #royalty for #UltraMegaLore in #ModeMuseumHasselt with graphic design and creative support by #Base #design Xx" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/tNgw7bp2p6/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Instagram |language=en}}</ref> as well as works by Ugo Rondinone, Juergen Teller, Azzedine Alaïa, Philip-Lorca diCorcia, Luc Tuymans and more. The exhibition also led to a guest editorship<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-03-17 |title=Hannelore Knuts maakt eigen 'Elle' |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/g9d2nmt5p |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Het Nieuwsblad |language=nl-BE}}</ref> by Hannelore for the April 2010 issue of ELLE Belgium.
== Later work == Following the first decade of her modelling career, Hannelore Knuts broadened her repertoire collaborating with fine art imagemakers like Michael Thompson, Tim Walker, Yelena Yemchuk, David Armstrong, Danko Steiner, Lernert & Sander, Joseph Lally, Urs Fischer, Mario Sorrenti and Philip Metten. She ventured out into different creative pursuits including acting and dance. Knuts made her official acting debut in 2010 film ‘Innercoma’, directed by Toon Aerts, followed by performances in Nicolas Provost’s 2011 drama ‘The Invader’. In 2012, she took on the role of David Bowie in the Radio Soulwax and Wim Reygaert film ‘Dave’, a performance that garnered critical acclaim.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-17 |title='Hannelore Knuts is enorm goede David Bowie' |url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20121017_00338186 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=De Standaard |language=nl-BE}}</ref>
Hannelore was a participant in ‘Sterren op de Dansvloer’ (‘Dancing with the Stars’) on Belgian TV channel VTM in 2012 and danced the tango during the Jean Paul Gaultier SS13 runway show.
She then played the role of Maria Martins in Marcel Dzama’s ‘dadaist love story’ ‘A Jester’s Dance’<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marcel Dzama: Une Danse des Bouffons (A Jester's Dance) |url=https://www.davidzwirner.com/exhibitions/2014/une-danse-des-bouffons-jesters-dance |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=David Zwirner |language=en}}</ref> in 2013. Hannelore went on to collaborate with more artists and modelled as a muse for 2013 painting ‘The Angel’ by esteemed Belgian artist Michaël Borremans. Knuts later starred in the W Magazine short film ‘The Fight<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-20 |title=The Fight |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/watch/vpl-video-the-boxer |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=W Magazine |language=en}}</ref>’, directed by Douglas Keeve, alongside Glenn O’Brien and Arden Wohl.
Hannelore worked on creative direction and photography for Paris brand Pallas, designing demi-couture tailored looks<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2013-05-15 |title=Hannelore Knuts for Pallas |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/16163/1/hannelore-knuts-for-pallas |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref> unveiled in 2013. She also acted as an editor-at-large for 10 magazine<ref>{{Cite web |title=You searched for hannelore - Page 2 of 2 |url=https://10magazine.com/search/hannelore/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=10 Magazine |language=en-GB}}</ref> and was credited as a stylist for Document Journal and Hermès Magazine. In 2014, Hannelore performed in a live art installation by Lawrence Malstaf which saw her vacuum-sealed above a Paris Fashion Week runway presentation by Dutch designer Iris Van Herpen.
Furthering her modelling legacy, Hannelore Knuts later became the face of high-profile campaigns, runway shows and magazine editorials for global brands like Gucci, Valentino Haute Couture, Harper’s Bazaar, Dior Beauty, Vogue Spain and landed a March 2023 cover for Wallpaper* magazine.
In early 2023, it was announced<ref>{{Cite web |last=Philipsen |first=Lotte |date=2023-01-28 |title=Hannelore Knuts is jurylid voor Belgium's Next Top Model: 'We dromen van een diverse cast modellen' |url=https://weekend.knack.be/lifestyle/mode/hannelore-knuts-is-jurylid-voor-belgiums-next-top-model-we-dromen-van-een-diverse-cast-modellen/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Weekend |language=nl}}</ref> that Hannelore would be a hosting jury member for new reality series ‘Belgium’s Next Top Model’, debuting on Streamz as from September 2023.
== Advocacy and mindfulness teaching == Beyond her modelling and creative career, Hannelore Knuts has been an advocate for mental health in the fashion industry and a charity campaign supporter. She acted as a spokesperson for Designers Against Aids in the Belgian Parliament<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-11-28 |title=IN BEELD. Topmodel Hannelore Knuts speldt Kamerleden rood lintje op |url=https://www.standaard.be/cnt/dmf20131128_00861502 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=De Standaard |language=nl-BE}}</ref> and raised awareness about the vulnerabilities and challenges faced by models, promoting open discussions on mental health through a series of talks.<ref>{{Cite web |title=At Antwerp's Fashion Talks, designers imagine the future |url=https://www.flandersdc.be/en/magazine/fashion-talks-2021 |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=Flanders DC |language=en}}</ref>
Hannelore also became a certified mindfulness and compassion meditation teacher in 2021 after completing the course taught by Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield at UC Berkeley Greater Good Science Center.<ref name=":2" /> She shared her most useful mindfulness tips in a recurring 2022 TV segment titled ‘Happy Hannelore<ref>{{Cite web |title=VRT MAX |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/iedereen-beroemd/2021-2022/iedereen-beroemd-d20220311/ |access-date=2023-08-23 |website=www.vrt.be}}</ref>’ on the programme ‘Iedereen Beroemd’.
== Filmography == {| class="wikitable sortable" |+TV and film work !Year !Title !Role !Director !Notes !Ref. |- |1998 |Een droom van een meisje |as self | |documentary |<ref>{{Cite web |date= |title=Een droom van een meisje |url=https://www.demorgen.be/plus/een-droom-van-een-meisje~ba8ea077/ |website=De Morgen}}</ref> |- |2003 |Strike Me Pink |as self |Greg Kadel | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Fashion Film: Strike Me Pink {{!}} SHOWstudio |url=https://showstudio.com/projects/strike_me_pink/strike_me_pink |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=showstudio.com |language=en}}</ref> |- |2010 |Innercoma |Mother of the Universe |Philip Metten |short film |<ref>{{Citation |last=Aerts |first=Toon |title=Innercoma |date=2010-06-26 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11670454/ |type=Short |access-date=2023-08-24 |others=Hannelore Knuts, Igor Paszkiewicz |publisher=Czar Film}}</ref> |- |2010 |Magnatricity | |Christian Joy |short film |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dazed |date=2010-11-11 |title=Christian Joy and Hannelore Knuts Film |url=https://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/8897/1/christian-joy-and-hannelore-knuts-film |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Dazed |language=en}}</ref> |- |2011 |The Invader |La naturiste |Nicolas Provost | |<ref>{{Citation |last=Provost |first=Nicolas |title=L'envahisseur |date=2011-11-23 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772947/ |type=Drama, Thriller |access-date=2023-08-24 |others=Issaka Sawadogo, Stefania Rocca, Serge Riaboukine |publisher=Versus Production, Prime Time, Hepp Film}}</ref> |- |2011 |Natural Beauty |as self |Lernert and Sander |short film |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Studio Lernert & Sander — Natural Beauty |url=http://lernertandsander.com/natural-beauty/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=lernertandsander.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2012 |Dave |Dave |Wim Reygaert | |<ref>{{Citation |last=Reygaert |first=Wim |title=Dave |date=2012-10-18 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2436488/?ref_=nm_knf_c_2 |type=Music |access-date=2023-08-24 |others=Maarten Claeyssens, Michiel Geluykens, Nicolas Karakatsanis |publisher=Caviar Films}}</ref> |- |2012 |Sterren op de Dansvloer |as self | |Recurring |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-08-21 |title=Topmodel Hannelore Knuts in 'Sterren op de dansvloer' |url=https://www.demorgen.be/nieuws/topmodel-hannelore-knuts-in-sterren-op-de-dansvloer~bbc9acb9/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=De Morgen |language=nl-NL}}</ref> |- |2013 |A Jester’s Dance |Maria |Marcel Dzama | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marcel Dzama: Une Danse des Bouffons (A Jester's Dance) |url=https://www.davidzwirner.com/exhibitions/2014/une-danse-des-bouffons-jesters-dance |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=David Zwirner |language=en}}</ref> |- |2013 |Lust for Life |as self | |Recurring |<ref>{{Cite web |last=NWS |first=VRT |date=2013-10-09 |title="Lust for life" is nieuw lifestyleprogramma op Eén |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2013/10/09/_lust_for_life_isnieuwlifestyleprogrammaopeen-1-1750417/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=vrtnws.be |language=nl}}</ref> |- |2014 |The Fight |as self |Douglas Keeve | |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-03-20 |title=The Fight |url=https://www.wmagazine.com/watch/vpl-video-the-boxer |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=W Magazine |language=en}}</ref> |- |2016 |Human Sanctuary |as self |Daniel Sannwald | |<ref>{{Cite web |title=Human Sanctuary © Daniel Sannwald |url=https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/human-sanctuary-©-daniel-sannwald/dQEKoHn8t0IWDA |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Google Arts & Culture |language=en}}</ref> |- |2022 |Happy Hannelore |as self | |Recurring |<ref>{{Cite web |title=VRT MAX |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/iedereen-beroemd/2021-2022/iedereen-beroemd-d20220311/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.vrt.be}}</ref> |- |2022 |Vrede op Aarde |as self | |TV appearance |<ref>{{Cite web |title=VRT MAX |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/vrede-op-aarde/6/vrede-op-aarde-s6a2/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.vrt.be}}</ref> |- |2023 |De Ideale Wereld |as self | |TV appearance |<ref>{{Cite web |title=VRT MAX |url=https://www.vrt.be/vrtmax/a-z/de-ideale-wereld/2023-vj/de-ideale-wereld-d20230301/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=www.vrt.be}}</ref> |- |2023 |Belgium’s Next Top Model |as self | |Recurring |<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-08-03 |title=Gloednieuw seizoen 'Belgium's Next Top Model' binnenkort te zien op Streamz |url=https://www.hln.be/tv/gloednieuw-seizoen-belgium-s-next-top-model-binnenkort-te-zien-op-streamz~a0024bd4/ |access-date=2023-08-24 |website=Het Laatste Nieuws |language=nl}}</ref> |}
== Bibliography ==
* Knuts, Hannelore (2010). Ultramegalore. Ludion ISBN 9789055449583<ref>{{Cite book |last=Knuts |first=Hannelore |title=Hannelore Knuts - Ultramegalore |date=2010-01-01 |publisher=Ludion |isbn=978-90-5544-958-3 |location=Antwerpe |language=English}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category-inline}} * {{FMD model}} * {{Models.com|hannelore-knuts}} * {{IMDb name|4730437}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Knuts, Hannelore}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:Belgian female models Category:People from Hasselt Category:Belgian film actresses Category:Elite Model Management models