Vogue

Background:

British supermodel Agyness Deyn, born Laura Hollins, gained momentum upon making her debut as a magazine cover girl on Italian “Vogue” November 2006 edition, a spectacular portrait photographed by Steven Meisel. Her face has since decorated the covers of many publications, including American and British “Vogue,” “Time Style & Life” and “The Sunday Times Style.” Deyn, who has over taken Kate Moss as the most glamorous face of fashion since 2007, also has been the face and figure of fashion giants like Giorgio Armani, Burberry and Galliano. In 2008, she became the new spokesmodel for Reebok.

Deyn is represented by Models 1 (London), Women Management (New York), Why Not Model Agency (Milan), Viva Models (Paris), De Boekers (Amsterdam) and Lora's Modeling agency.

Currently, Deyn is a resident of New York City. She was romantically involved with Josh Hubbard, the guitarist of British indie-rock group The Paddingtons, for four years. As of August 2008, she is engaged to musician and rhythm guitarist of the garage rock band The Strokes, Albert Hammond, Jr. (born on April 9, 1980).

Deyn herself is a former member of the now-dead group Lucky Knitwear.

Laura Hollins

Childhood and Family:

Born Laura Hollins on February 16, 1983, in Littleborough, Manchester, Agyness Deyn grew up becoming a tomboy. She learned karate, and cut her hair short at age 11 to make strangers believe that she was a boy. She stated, “I’ve had short hair since I was 13, and when I was 17, I had a skinhead.”

The daughter of a nurse, Agyness studied music and drama at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School before attending All-Saints Catholic Language College. There, she majored in math, business and theater. Agyness started taking part-time job as a teenager. After moving to London, she worked at a fast food restaurant during the day and a bar at night.

Reebok

Career:

14-year-old Agyness Deyn was spotted by designer Henry Holland while working at a fish and chips restaurant in Stubbins, Lancashire. She was soon hired to become the face of the House of Holland label. However, it was not until 1999 that Deyn competed at and won the Rossendale Free Press “Face of '99” modeling contest. At the time, she was still 16 years old.

Deyn later moved to London to become a full-time model. Within a few months of her arrival, the 18-year-old girl had signed with the Models 1 agency and departed her waitressing jobs at a local hamburger restaurant and a cocktail bar.

Deyn's modeling career took flight in 2006 when the twenty-something landed on the November cover of Italian “Vogue” magazine. She was photographed by Steven Meisel. She rejoined the celebrated fashion photographer a year later when she once again grace the magazine's cover for the September 2007 issue.

In between the projects, Deyn was featured on the cover of American “Vogue” for their May 2007 edition, where she appeared along side Jessica Stam, Doutzen Kroes, Raquel Zimmermann, Coco Rocha, Sasha Pivovarova, Chanel Iman, Caroline Trentini, Lily Donaldson, and Hilary Rhoda. The next month, she graced the cover of UK “Vogue.” Other magazines she has graced on the covers of include “Observer Woman” supplement (September 2007), “ Pop,” “The Sunday Times Style,” “Grazia” and “Time Style & Life.”

Later, in November 27, 2007, Deyn was chosen by the British Fashion Awards as Model of the Year.

The Manchester-born beauty has confirmed her supermodel status by singing a string of endorsement deals. So far, she has done advertisements for influential clients like Giorgio Armani, Blugirl by Blumarine, Anna Sui, Maison Gilfy, Cacharel, Gianfranco Ferré, Burberry, Moussy, Mulberry, Shiseido, Vivienne Westwood, Paul Smith, and Reebok. She has replaced actresses Drew Barrymore and Angelina Jolie as the face of new fragrance The Beat by Burberry, Gold by Giles Deacon at New Look and the Jean Paul Gautier fragrance Ma Dame, Shiseido, respectively.

In May 2008, Deyn emerged as a guest editor on “i-D” magazine. The edition was dedicated to her and includes articles penned by and about Deyn. It also featured interviews she conducted with fashion insiders like Vivienne Westwood.

On the music front, Deyn contributed her vocals for the single “Who” by New York City-based New Wave influenced rock group Five O'Clock Heroes. The song, however, received poor response from “New Musical Express” (NME), a popular music magazine in the U.K. She also appeared on the music video.

Deyn was also a member of the group Lucky Knitwear, which is now defunct. She is rumored to has founded a new group called Gene Jacket, along with friends Jackson Pollis and Alanna Masterso.

Awards:
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