One day in the early 2000s at Pier 59 Studios in New York City, the legendary fashion photographer Steven Meisel gathered a carefully curated cast of young, up-and-coming models. Among them were Lisa Cant, Diana Dondoe, Caroline Trentini, and an unexpected face: a young college student and Iowa native named Rob Sand.
The studio was a hive of high-fashion activity. Brana Wolf handled the styling, legendary hair stylist Garren was on hair, and the iconic Pat McGrath painted the makeup. On the clothing racks hung the defining grungy, avant-garde styles of the era from Helmut Lang, Prada, and Gucci. Titled “Be My Baby,” the editorial shoot explored the vibrant renaissance of punkish adolescence that was dominating the international runways at the time. While the striking spread originally appeared in the February 2004 pages of Vogue Italia, over two decades later, the shoot’s legacy has taken on a completely new and unexpected life, bridging the worlds of high-end editorial fashion and American politics.
The remarkable connection came to light when observers connected the dots that Iowa Governor-Elect Rob Sand was once a high fashion model, walking the runways for prestigious global brands including Prada and Japanese cult label Number Nine. A vintage photo had recently circulated of him sporting a distinctive sweatshirt from the exact show that he walked in back in 2004.
Following the viral recirculation of his modeling past, Sand took to Instagram with a characteristic sense of humor, sharing iconic images from the “Be My Baby” shoot. Alongside the archival photos, he posted a witty caption: “I’m disappointed to learn images of me modeling for Prada are circulating. Because this shot from Italian Vogue is much better.”
Steven Meisel photographed the shoot in question, capturing a moment in time that would define the early careers of several participants. Not long after Sand’s post gained traction online, the legendary lensman himself shared the classic 2004 image of Sand and Trentini to his own social media feed, further thrusting the historical fashion moment back into the public eye.
To understand the full story behind the archival photographs, fashion historians and enthusiasts looked back to the participants themselves, reaching out directly to supermodel Caroline Trentini to hear her side of the story from that fateful day at Pier 59 Studios.
“It was a huge surprise,” Trentini said, reflecting on the sudden resurfacing of the images two decades later. “Honestly, every moment I’ve ever spent with Steven Meisel feels like it happened yesterday. I remember everything, the smells, the atmosphere, the music,” she continued, recalling the sensory details of a pivotal day in her burgeoning career. “This was my very first Steven shoot, and I was very aware of the importance of that day.”
In many ways, both Trentini and Sand were just kids navigating the high-stakes, intimidating environment of elite fashion photography. Trentini remembers the exact dynamic of capturing the frame that has now made waves across both the fashion and political landscapes.
“This particular photo was taken very quickly, but it’s also one of my favorites from the shoot,” Trentini shared. “Rob really made the difference because even though we were both a bit nervous and shy, he was really immersed in the story, just as I was.”
Looking back, Trentini recalls the experience as a defining moment that fundamentally shaped the rest of her trajectory in the industry. Any model’s first shoot with Steven Meisel was, and remains, a breakthrough achievement that can instantly elevate a career to international heights. However, Sand’s subsequent path took a vastly different turn, with his recent accomplishment as Iowa’s governor-elect likely taking the cake for his chosen professional journey.
Reflecting on the lessons learned on set, Trentini credited the legendary photographer with instilling professional discipline that extended far beyond the studio. “[Meisel] taught me everything about my attitude, how to carry myself, and how to find my best angle when the camera clicked,” she said.
As for the future of her former castmate as he prepares to assume office, Trentini expressed deep admiration for his path and character. “Rob has wonderful values that I share,” she noted, highlighting the enduring connection forged on a New York photo set over twenty years ago. Summing up the unprecedented intersection of high fashion and public service, she added with a smile, “Plus, he might just be the first governor ever to have had the honor of posing for Steven Meisel!”
