After being represented in her native Estonia by a small agency called Baltic Models, Carmen moved to Paris at the age of 18. There, she received exposure on the cover of magazines worldwide, namely L'Officiel and Vogue (France) in 1997, Elle (Australia), Image (UK), Madame Figaro, Numero France, Vogue (France), and Vogue (US) in 1999.

In 1999, Carmen was one of the fashion runways' hottest commodities. She strutted down the catwalks for the top designers in the world such as: Alberta Ferretti, Anna Sui, BCBG, Bill Blass, Calvin Klein, Chanel, Christian Dior, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana, Gianfranco Ferré, Gianni Versace, Gucci, Jill Stuart, MaxMara, Michael Kors, Moschino, Nicole Miller, Prada, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Gianni Versace, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino. She has also posed in advertisements for Calvin Klein, Chanel, Donna Karan, General Motors, Guy Laroche, Krizia, and Versace. Carmen is presently a spokesperson for Sephora, one of the world's leading cosmetics retailers, and the Christian Dior perfume, "J'adore."

Presently residing in New York, Carmen has become a staple for the two biggest American fashion magazines, Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. Carmen is represented by "Women" in New York, and "City" in Paris, while she has reportedly bought part of her first agency, "Baltic Models."