The Model Renegades Changing The Face Of Beauty

Alek Wek
Touted as the first black model whose beauty did not conform to previous Western ideals, Alek, who was born in Sudan, went on to storm the catwalks as well as the billboards. Discovered in an outdoor market in London, her ‘unusually long’ legs went at least a little way to stamping out the under-representation of black models that still pervades the catwalks. 

Kate MossArguably one of the most recognisable faces in fashion, Kate Moss is the model that put Croydon on the map. Initially lambasted for promoting ‘heroin chic’ when she rose to fame in the early 90s, it was her waif-like proportions that changed the catwalk landscape previously reserved for Amazonians such as Cindy Crawford and Claudia Schiffer. 

Karen ElsonYou don’t get much cooler than Karen Elson who has now added song-writing to her repertoire, and yet that wasn’t always the case according to our favourite flame-haired temptress. Described as ‘alien-looking’ thanks to the trend for bleached brows back in the 90s, she recounts often feeling like a misfit. Fast-forward ten years and she'd married a rock star and been hailed as one of the most influential models of our time. And who said fashion was fickle?

Sophie DahlDiscovered crying on the streets of West London by the irrepressible Isabella Blow, the granddaughter of author Roald Dahl stormed the catwalks back in 1997 with her Rubenesque curves. Her YSL Opium advert from 2002 is still one of the most complained about ads of all time due to it’s overt sexuality. 

Erin O’ConnorWhat a difference a hair-cut makes. It wasn’t until hair legend Guido Palau lopped off Erin’s locks back in 1999 that she really emerged as a serious catwalk contender. Describing herself as unconventional-looking and androgenous, the statuesque beauty (she’s 6”4 in heels) has been touted by designer Jean Paul Gaultier as 'so much more than a model". According to Gaultier “she is quite like art. She is like theatre.”

Charlotte FreeFree by name and Free by nature, this LA native first brightened up the catwalks back in 2011 with her shock of bright pink hair. Now down as our official hair inspo, it’s 5”7 Charlotte we look to when brunette seems too darn conventional

Anna ClevelandTouted as ‘one to watch’ by the fashion industry, Anna’s unconventional beauty seems to be in the genes as her mother Pat was dubbed the ‘first black supermodel’ back in the 70s. With her striking looks which designer Giles Deacon described as “full of character and presence” rather than a “robot”, you’re sure to be seeing a lot more of Ms Cleveland.

Andreja PejicProving that you don’t need to be born a girl to steal the crown of catwalk queen, this transgender stunner has gone a long way in changing perceptions of gender proving that beauty doesn’t need to be defined by whether you’re male or female. As Pejic quite rightly points out “what’s between someone’s legs is not who they are.”

Lara StoneInitially told that it might be a good idea for her to get braces, it was this gap-toothed beauty’s smile that shifted the prevailing quest for perfection in beauty and encouraged women to embrace their quirks. Couple that with a Jessica Rabbit bod (she is quoted as saying she’d rather have boobs than a flat stomach) and it certainly doesn’t add up to your average clothes horse. But then who wants to be average?

Lindsey WixsonWith a combination of  her signature “rosebud pout”, gap-toothed smile and cute-as-a-button dimples, Lindsey’s unique brand of beauty has earnt her a place as one of model.com’s top 50 models proving that it’s not always about chiselled cheekbones.