A modest display of Tine Kirby’s modeling work is displayed on her Old Town home’s coffee table.
Alexandria, VA – It’s not unusual when children follow in their parents’ footsteps for a career—often to their own surprise. For top-tier model “Tine” Kirby, whose given name is Christine Kirby (shortened to Tine by a sibling), that journey has taken her from Indiana to Europe and, ultimately, to the fashion world of New York City, where she works runway shows with international and American designers including Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, Tom Ford, Max Mara, and Pia Bolte.
At Indiana University, where she majored in film studies and minored in Spanish, Kirby fit freelance modeling between academics and two years on the university track team. She quickly learned the fundamentals of being an entrepreneur in the modeling world. “You have to build your own brand,” said Kirby. “I didn’t seek an agency. I was just feeling it out.”
Tine Kirby’s spectacular personal photographs from her years in Europe present an international flare to the couple’s living room.
The tall, slender Indiana native originally planned to move to Los Angeles after college to pursue film production. Instead, true love swept her to Europe as a military wife with her new husband, Kiefer Jones, a fellow Hoosier. “How often will the opportunity to be in love and go to Europe come? We jumped at it!” Kirby said.
The couple surprised everyone—including perhaps themselves—with an elopement in Las Vegas, followed by Kiefer’s Air Force postings in Germany and Italy. In Landstuhl, Germany, Kirby struggled to reshape her career goals, doing “things like modeling in the newspaper.” During her husband’s second military assignment, in Sacile, Italy, her modeling career was put on hold.
“I didn’t do one modeling job in Italy. I had no clue it was going to be my main job in a few years!” But over those years abroad, Kirby realized what she wanted: a career on the runways of New York City Fashion Week and assignments with haute couture and fashion brands.
“Here we are 10 years later, having worked and traveled abroad, and building our careers together in Alexandria,” she said. Three years ago, the couple chose Old Town as their home. Kirby immediately began building her modeling career through Instagram, YouTube lessons, and MasterClass, while also taking modeling classes, refining her makeup skills, and practicing her runway walk.
“You need confidence, you need professionalism, and you need personality—most of all,” she said. She now works with T-H-E Artist Agency in Georgetown and Joy Talent Agency in Philadelphia. Fellow T-H-E model Jane Collins, also of Alexandria, said Tine has a “beautiful runway walk” and is generous with her encouragement and time. Collins frequently sees her in ads for Dillards, Macy’s, Nordstrom and others.
A DeLonghi coffee machine creates favorite beverages with a variety of syrup enhancers, a shared culinary interest of Tine Kirby and her husband.
Kirby’s decision to tackle New York Fashion Week took more than courage. It required research, preparation and an understanding of each designer’s expectations. “The industry is so small. I learned very quickly—people are going to remember you if you’re professional—if you showed up on time,” Kirby said.
She has seen models turned away for ignoring specific instructions, reinforcing one of her most important lessons: preparation matters. On the runway, where models maintain a neutral expression so the clothing remains the focus, Kirby uses her eyes to communicate.
“Everyone wants a different look. You are kind of a canvas—a cameleon—and that gets you hired even more when they see you in a different light with your eye contact,” she shared. And social media has become an important part of her success. “Instagram has opened many doors. I swear, always post your work. I find that when I post my work, I get more work,” Kirby said. “Let it be known, I’m the busiest I’ve ever been!”
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