Les Filles en Vogue

John Galliano for Christian Dior Haute Couture F/W 2000.

As she did in Galliano’s studio, eighteen-year-old Kate Moss strode into her meeting at Calvin Klein with extraordinary self-possession. Baron had Kate put on a pair of Calvin Klein jeans before walking into the room, a string of hopeful models, including Cindy Crawford, waiting in reception.

In she came, with her jeans and little T-shirt, rumpled hair and no makeup. “Like, nothing,” says Badger, who was in the room. “And back in those days, models dressed for go-sees. They did their hair and makeup.”

Kate flopped down on the floor, and for a moment, the room was still: One didn’t take such informal tack with Calvin Klein. But however nervous Kate was—and Badger sensed that Kate was quite nervous—her natural effervescence shone through, and when she plopped down on the floor, Klein took a beat, then sat right down next to her.

“She was a very sweet girl,” Badger says. “She walked out of the room and Calvin was like, ‘I love her. I love her.’ “