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British supermodel Kate Moss, an icon of the “Cool Britannia” era of the 1990s, reaches a milestone as she turns 50 this Tuesday, continuing to captivate the nation with her enduring allure.
Despite her reluctance to acknowledge the significant birthday, as she revealed in a candid interview with ‘The Times’ last September, the media has been keen to celebrate on her behalf. “I’m not turning 50,” Moss stated, expressing her disbelief. Her statement, “I do not feel 50,” resonates with many who have watched her evolve over the decades.
The Guardian took a nostalgic trip, speaking to photographers who captured Moss’s most iconic images. Kate Garner, a photographer who worked with Moss, reminisced, “You could not take a bad photo of her,” praising her quintessentially British charm. Moss’s ability to continually sell photos, as Garner highlights, is a testament to her lasting impact on the fashion industry.
Moss’s journey in the modeling world began in Croydon, south London, where she was discovered at the tender age of 14. She rose to stardom quickly, known for her girlish looks and controversial Calvin Klein campaigns that sometimes left her feeling “objectified and vulnerable.”
Her “heroin chic” style, marked by a slight frame, set her apart from contemporaries like Cindy Crawford, Claudia Schiffer, and Naomi Campbell. This unique look not only defined an era in fashion but also reflected the complex interplay of beauty standards and body image in the modeling industry.
Beyond fashion, Moss’s life was a tapestry of high-profile relationships, including romances with Johnny Depp and Pete Doherty. Despite a turbulent period in 2005, where she faced accusations of cocaine use and subsequent loss of contracts, Moss’s resilience saw her return to greater fame and popularity.
Moss’s influence extended beyond the runway and glossy magazine covers. She captivated artist Lucian Freud, who painted her portrait and secretly tattooed her. Moreover, in 2008, she was immortalized in an 18-karat gold statue by Marc Quinn, displayed in the British Museum. Quinn described her as “a media icon for our age” and “an idealized figure.”
Her presence is also felt at the National Portrait Gallery in London, which houses eight portraits of Moss, celebrating her as a fashion icon.
In recent years, Moss has stepped back from the runway, leading a comparatively quieter life. She mentioned in an interview with ‘The Times’ her early bedtimes and moderated party habits. However, she remains a trendsetter, launching her own beauty and well-being products and advocating for “moon bathing,” a practice she believes in for its Ayurvedic benefits.
According to the ‘Evening Standard,’ Moss is set to celebrate her 50th birthday in grand style on the Caribbean island of Mustique. Known for epitomizing British party culture, her birthday celebration is expected to be a reflection of her legendary status in the fashion world and beyond. As the ‘Evening Standard’ aptly puts it, “Kate was born to party,” and her 50th birthday is likely to be a glamorous affair befitting her iconic status.
With AFP
