In 1999, a victory in an Irish modelling contest suddenly catapulted Miriam Cooke from her quaint life as a schoolgirl in Kells, Co Meath onto the global fashion scene. She was quickly scooped up by agencies in cities like London, Paris, and Milan, deferring her university plans for a newfound modelling career. Her journey took her around the globe over the following years, modelling for eminent brands and magazines like Armani, Vogue, Marie Claire and Glamour. She enjoyed life in the world’s fashion hubs like Paris, Milan, New York, Tokyo, Rome and London.
The modelling industry demands exceptional self-assuredness, especially for a naive young girl from the countryside, but Cooke took it in her stride. Her sunny disposition and bravery in experimenting with her look cemented her position in the industry. Such traits marked the supermodel era, with many comparing Cooke to Linda Evangelista, the iconic model famous for her chameleonic changes in appearance.
In Rome, Cooke ventured into acting studies which further boosted her confidence. Her beauty came to life in black and white photographs shot by renowned photographers like Aldo Fallai, the man behind Armani’s campaigns. These images featured in Vogue, marking significant moments in her career.
Cooke is also known for her undying passion for history and archaeology, a result of growing up surrounded by archaeological sites in Meath. She often found herself exploring these tantalising interests, even during her modelling assignments. Eventually, she surrendered to the desire for academic pursuits and graduated with a first from the Institute of Archaeology at University College London. She then undertook an MSc in environmental archaeology and now serves as a research figure at Newcastle University.
Beyond archaeology, Cooke has successfully carved a niche in broadcasting, working with BBC, C4, Discovery and National Geographic. Viewers recognise her from BBC One’s Country Tracks and The Story of Now. Recently, she explored the world of sound archaeology on her BBC World Service documentary named Symphony of the Stones. Her latest series, Lost Worlds with Miriam Cooke, was released in May, showcasing her dual talents as presenter and writer.
She’s stepping back into the world of modelling, a realm she finds has transformed greatly over time. “It feels like I’m completing a journey,” she articulates, recognising that the fashion industry seems to be open to embracing more mature women now more than ever before. She notes how much value and importance there is in representing such women. She applauds major fashion houses like Balenciaga, St. Laurent, and Loewe for featuring older women in their campaigns and advertisements. This shift, she notes, is not only progressive but also practical as it caters to a larger demographic of their clientele – the older generation.
Her renewed involvement in this changing industry has granted her fresh outlooks. “What does being 50 really mean?” she postulates. Fifty, she argues, can manifest in numerous ways. She observes how the current wave of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity (EDI) is seeping into the world of fashion. More mature models are now returning to the limelight, marking a significant and beautiful shift.
She acknowledges the inevitable physical transitions that come with aging. She tries to maintain her health and beauty by using SPF 50 skincare daily, a regular fitness regimen, and a healthy diet. She’s swapped her morning runs for strength training and weightlifting. Her morning elixirs consist of cucumber, celery, ginger, mint, collagen powder and Greek yoghurt.
As autumn approaches, she’s set to strut her stuff at Milan Fashion Week, whilst juggling several other ambitious ventures on the side. She’s involved in a new series of History Hits, an experimental archaeology and technology project, and even a thriller TV series. As a UK-based mother of two, she’s got her hands full. “It’s an arduous period,” she admits, “although, no complaints here. I’m absolutely relishing it.”