Britain's New Top Model
British model Agyness Deyn's trademark white-blonde cropped hair and punk rock dress sense made her a star in the UK, and now her style is reverberating around the world as the "face" of numerous international fashion houses.
Her original and highly desirable look got her named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards recently in London. Just a year ago, Kate Moss got the award-to much acclaim and not a little controversy given that she had just gotten out of drug rehab.
By contrast, Britain's notoriously bitchy tabloids have had a tough time finding anything bad to say about Dean-except that she apparently is already trying to shave three years off her real age, which is 24.
Just before the award show, Deyn said "I don't think I've ever been this nervous for anything. It's so weird, especially not knowing and stuff. But I'm really chuffed that I was nominated, so whatever happens is cool."
A few weeks later, when Deyn spoke to a reporter again, her nerves had settled down, even though she was getting ready to walk the catwalk in Karl Lagerfeld's latest London show for Chanel. "When they announced it I was just like: 'phew!' It's kind of over. But (I was) so honored to be named model of the year," she said.
The cropped blonde pixie has enjoyed a meteoric rise to fame this year. Deyn has worked for the biggest fashion houses in Britain and Europe including Burberry, Cacharel, Galliano, Mulberry, Chanel, Vivienne Westwood and Versace.
When it comes to personal style, Deyn opts for the extreme. "I either go really, really, boyish or really, really feminine," she told AP. "I've been wearing lots of leather recently--kind of chic bondage. Like leather pants with studs on," and that in fact was what she was wearing at the show.
Deyn's look is bound to be cloned by fashion retailers and by those looking for style inspiration. But she suggests originality is the key to standing out in a crowd. "Just whatever you feel like wearing. Don't be afraid to do something different," she said.
Although Deyn is relatively new to the modeling scene she already has her eye on her next venture--acting.
"I'd love to," she said, explaining she regularly participates in short films with student director friends in New York "just for fun."
For now, modeling gives her a taste of drama. "It's really inspirational because each photographer has a different vision for you," she says, "so you kind of morph into the character that they want you to be and bring your element to it. So it's kind of acting, which is fun."
Born Laura Hollins, the Lancashire native was "discovered" at 18 while working as a waitress in London fast food joints. In 2006, she made her first big splash, appearing soaking wet on the cover of a Paris Vogue fashion supplement.