Stacey McKenzie

Career

After being told, early in her career, that she was too distinctive for the Canadian market, she moved to New York City.

Unprepared for the challenges of a modeling career, McKenzie returned to Canada and finished high school. Soon after she moved to Paris, France to pursue modeling further. During her first season, she modeled for top designers including Jean Paul Gaultier, Thierry Mugler and Christian Lacroix. She also landed her first campaign with photographer Oliviero Toscani for Benetton.

In the wake of her initial success in Paris, McKenzie was commissioned to work in markets around the globe including Paris, London, Italy, Austria, United States and Japan. She worked for Alexander McQueen, Betsey Johnson, Tommy Hilfiger, Todd Oldham, Michiko Koshino and Jean Paul Gaultier. Her magazine covers include Essence, Le Monde and Panache, as well as editorials in Vogue (US, Japan, Korea, Britain, Spain), Harper's Bazaar, Interview, Flare, Fashion, and Vibe.

She has appeared in a number of campaigns including Calvin Klein CK, Jean Paul Gaultier, MAC, Mexx, Reebok, Todd Oldham Jeans, Nordstrom, Barneys, and Banana Republic.

In February 2012, McKenzie was a panelist on Canada Reads, defending Dave Bidini's book On a Cold Road. On the first day, McKenzie controversially cast a tie-breaking vote to eliminate Prisoner of Tehran.

Activism

In 2005 McKenzie established Walk This Way Workshops. Walk This Way Workshops has made a significant impact across North America and The Caribbean on those aspiring to work in the fashion entertainment industries. Walk This Way Workshops focuses on inspiring, empowering and educating young women and men through a series of confidence builder workshops fashioned to help develop self - esteem and gain confidence in the industry through self acceptance.

In May 2007, McKenzie was a speaker for a brunch benefit held by the Canadian Mental Health Association. She discussed the challenges of self-esteem in young adults and how to gain confidence through self-acceptance. Ms. McKenzie continues to do motivational speaking engagements to inner city kids and schools.

In 2013, McKenzie launched her 1st annual Walk This Way Workshops "The Walk" Camp for inner city girls. The 30 girls learned new skills, working with a diverse range of VIP mentors within the fashion and entertainment industry, including TV Hosts Dina Puguliese and Tracy Moore, Fashion Designer and Project Runway Canada winner Sunny Fong, Actors Gabrielle Miller and Alex Cendese, Style Expert Peter Papapetrou, Supermodel Monika Schnarre, Multiple Juno Award Singer Liberty Silver and Jewelry Designer Rita Tesolin, setting goals that will lead to milestones that will impact their future.

Walk This Way Workshops has been featured in Teen Vogue Fashion University, Canada’s Next Top Model, America’s Next Top Model, P&G Beauty Awards, Rally For Kids with Cancer, Fashion Music Festival China, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ryerson University, Brown University, Kent State University and Queens School of Business.

McKenzie has and continues to work with some of the world's fashion elites. She was recently presented numerous awards including The Success, Engagement & Empowerment Award from the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa, Scarborough Center for Healthy Communities for her outstanding support of youth through her Walk This Way Workshops and Model of Excellence Award from African Fashion Week.

Filmography

Stacey McKenzie also made her acting debut in the 1997 film, The Fifth Element, as a VIP Stewardess. She also acted in 2 indie films, as well as the voice of a 10-year-old boy in the five (5) time nominated NAACP theater awards (winning for best choreography) and two (2) L.A. Weekly Theater Awards play Black Leather Soles.