
Agyness Deyn, the face of Burberry and Armani, has taken the fashion world by storm and is tipped as a successor to Kate Moss.
Agyness Deyn, born Laura Hollins, is an English model. Deyn is hailed as "the fashion industry's next great supermodel" and an "ambassador of British youth culture.
Deyn's name was apparently coined after she consulted a numerology expert who advised her of the most 'fortuitous' way to spell the name 'Agnes'.
Deyn's working life started serving part-time aged 13, at a fish and chip shop in Ramsbottom. Even at an early age she had an eye for style and by 17 she had already had her head shaved. “I’ve had short hair since I was 13, and when I was 17, I had a skinhead.” In 1999, she won the Rossendale Free Press "Face of '99" competition, aged just 16. She then moved to London, working in a fast-food restaurant during the day and a bar at night but admits: “It didn’t quite work.” During this time she says she was also at college in Hull, studying drama and music. She was signed up by Models 1 when she visited the agency.
In May 2007 she was featured on the cover of Vogue from USA, alongside Doutzen Kroes, Caroline Trentini, Raquel Zimmermann, Sasha Pivovarova, Jessica Stam, Coco Rocha, Hilary Rhoda, Chanel Iman, and Lily Donaldson as the new crop of supermodels.
She has also been featured on the covers of: UK Vogue, the Observer Woman supplement, The Sunday Times Style, Pop, Grazia, Time Style & Life, Vogue Italia, and numerous other international publications.
As for professional endorsements Deyn has appeared in advertisements for Anna Sui, Blugirl by Blumarine,Burberry, Cacharel, Gianfranco Ferrè, Moussy,Maison Gilfy,Shiseido, Giorgio Armani, Mulberry, Paul Smith,Reebok, and Vivienne Westwood. While garnering such prestigious contracts she is currently the face of the new fragrance The Beat by Burberry, Gold by Giles Deacon at New Look replacing Drew Barrymore, Jean Paul Gautier's fragrance Ma Dame, Shiseido (replacing Angelina Jolie), and childhood friend Henry Holland's label House of Holland.
In May 2008 Deyn was guest editor of i-D magazine. The issue was devoted to her and includes articles written by and about Deyn, as well interviews she conducted with fashion insiders such as Vivienne Westwood.
Deyn provides vocals for the single Who by Five O'Clock Heroes as well as featuring in the video. The single was poorly received by NME, who gave it only a 2/10.
Until recently she was a member of the now defunct group Lucky Knitwear. It has been rumoured that she has formed another band, 'Gene Jacket', with friends Jackson Pollis and Alanna Masterson, but this is yet to be substantiated.