Model Katia Biassou is beautiful, talented—and busy! Not only does she represent top QVC brands (Susan Graver, George Simonton, and WEN—to name a few!), she’s also worked with big names like Ralph Lauren, Clairol, Dillard’s, Bergdorf Goodman, Saks, Nordstrom, and Neiman Marcus. And her resume doesn’t stop there—Katia is also a recording artist and mother of two!
Raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Katia describes being sheltered as a child. A tomboy at heart, she attended private Catholic school and says chaperones accompanied her everywhere when she wasn’t in class. At 15, Katia’s family moved to Miami, where her parents’ strict rules continued. “You know how teenagers sneak out of the house?” Katia asked. “I didn’t even think about it—I knew better.”
In her new surroundings, Katia learned to do a lot for herself. “If I hadn’t come to America, I wouldn’t be the independent woman I am,” she explained. She studied public relations and travel and tourism at Webster University in Florida and laughed off friends who thought she should become a model. But at 26, Katia decided to give it a shot—and, as they say, the rest is history!
“My favorite thing about modeling is the catwalk work and being a role model for young women,” Katia shared. Another perk of the job is getting to visit many different parts of the country. “I get to travel to New York for Fashion Week, trunk shows, show rooms, and print work,” she told me. “I also go to Miami for theatrical shows and photo shoots. It’s very rewarding.” In addition, Katia appeared on the third season of Project Runway. “I was four months pregnant. I had to get off the show and the producers did it really smoothly—I wasn’t voted off or anything.”
Although QVC hired her on the spot seven years ago, her audition was anything but a breeze. “It’s really difficult to get in. They’re not playing around—that’s one of the things I respect.” Today, she’s sought after by Honora, Michael Dawkins, orYANY, and others. “I’m glad I’m here and I don’t take it for granted.”
When you see Katia on air, there’s no doubt she always looks put-together and stunningly beautiful. But, during live shows, things don’t always go as planned. “Oh boy, I’ve had wardrobe malfunctions right before hitting the runway,” Katia laughed. “There have been times when the heel of my shoe has broken while I’m on the catwalk. I just took the shoes off and kept on walking!” It’s that ability to keep moving forward when challenges arise that helps Katia balance a busy work schedule and personal time. “I love spending quality time with my family. I’m a movie buff and love movie marathons. I also enjoy entertaining and traveling. And, of course, changing diapers—oh, wait, that’s my husband’s job!”
Katia and her husband, Gary, a successful lawyer, met when Katia was 18 (their fathers went to medical school together). But it wasn’t until Katia’s 25th birthday party that Gary re-entered her life. “My mother said, ‘Do you remember that young man? Can he come to your party?’” Many years later, the couple is looking forward to celebrating another February 14 together. “We enjoy our traditional Valentine’s Day dinner at the French bistro Daniel in New York City and a Broadway show,” Katia said.
The couple has two young children: a daughter, Angelina, and a son, Alessio, who they are totally in love with. Katia also recently gave birth to a hit song. “My maxi single called “Erase Replace” broke into the top 25 on the charts—take that, Beyoncé!” Katia laughed. She’s currently working with Grammy-nominated producers on a new record, so keep your eyes and ears out for much more from this hard-working mother.
Beauty, brains, style, and class—Katia Biassou has got it going on!