In fashion circles, Coco Rocha needs no introduction. The Canadian model burst onto the fashion scene more than a decade ago and immediate became a favorite of designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Christian Lacroix, and Zac Posen.

Her profile extends beyond just fashion runways. She has been outspoken about eating disorders among models, and appeared, alongside Naomi Campbell and Karolina Kurkova, on television show “The Face.”

Now, she is parlaying her fashion history into design. In a joint venture with Paragon Project, Rocha and her husband James Conran launched the Co + Co by Coco Rocha contemporary collection with an “athleisure-meets-streetwear” vibe.

CFDA.com sat down with Rocha to discuss her decision to become a designer, her favorite fashion memories, and her ultimate fashion fantasy.

CFDA.com: Why did you decide to launch a fashion collection now?

Coco Rocha: “It’s been 14 years and I think that I finally graduated from my ‘High School of Fashion.’ I know I didn’t go to Parsons. I know that there are going to be the haters out there who think that I shouldn’t be doing this. I’d like to say to them that I have been sitting behind a desk–meaning the dress that I am wearing, and the designers picking on me, what they do and don’t like about something, why they have chosen something. Whether they are talking to me or just in general, over these years, I have paid attention and watched what they were doing. I have become friends with many designers. Sitting down with them and talking about why they do what they do, I have come to have my own point of view and I am excited by the idea of having my own business and my own company.

For many years, I have been offered to license my name but that’s never interested me because licensing can be just a phone call and a signature. I really want to be a part of this. When Paragon came and asked me if I would like to do this, I felt like this was the right project. This was the right time.”

CFDA.com: Why did you go for the “athleisure-meets-streetwear” look considering?

C.R.: “We have talked and worked on this for the past year. I love vintage, I love streetwear, I love pret-a-porter and couture. I love it all, but what is missing out there? In this price range, a girl goes to a department store and she is usually offered Boho or hipster looks. She loves this athletic aesthetic but she just can’t find it– clean lines, beautiful materials, things that are fashion forward were missing. That’s what we decided was going to be the DNA for this collection.”

CFDA.com: From your years of modeling, was there any one lesson that you had that you applied here?

C.R.: “To trust your gut. As a model, you are usually a little nervous about what other people think, especially when you start. I went back to my 14-year old self when we started drawing, and would say, ‘This skirt? Should I even propose it to the team?’ But then I thought, ‘Why am I being this 14-year old model again? I have already gone through this.’ I know that if people don’t like it, that’s ok. And if you really believe in something, you push through it, and most likely, you will succeed.”

CFDA.com: Who are some of the designers that you look up to?

C.R.: “Always those who are forward-thinking in everything. It’s Alexander McQueen and how he used certain elements and materials in his shows; Nicolas Ghesquiere,when he was at Balenciaga, was so creative in how he could make a material stand on edge, and Zac Posen and his gowns, and how they are structured and kept a shape.”

CFDA.com: What was your favorite runway show as a model?

C.R.: “There were so many. Gaultier’s last show was a fun one. Just the fact that he honored me as the Gaultier girl was very nice. And of course, doing the Irish dance gave me that moment on the runway. I have been a mermaid, Michael Jackson, an old lady, John Travolta in Grease for Gaultier. I always loved a good performance.”
CFDA.com: Would you ever consider putting your own collection on a runway?

C.R.: “Just for the historical value of a runway, yes. I feel that in 10, 15 years, I don’t know if people will understand what runways were for anymore. I really think that we are going past that. I would like to do it for the sake of doing it one time. If I had a runway show, I would like to have all designers that I worked with sitting in the front row to show how, thanks to them, I have had the chance to bring out my creative side.”