Anouck Lepere

Some girls, like Anouck Lepere, seem to have a lucky star. Her fairy godmother, understanding that this is the 21st century, did not offer her a castle and servants, but the career of a top model, and ultra hip husband, a stormy regard and a desire to light up the night.

Lepere is an outspoken free spirit. This 29-year-old Belgian, who never wanted to be a model, does not hesitate to say that when she found herself in the spotlight, she thought for a moment that the best way to keep her figure would be to eat what she wanted then regurgitate afterwards.

She admits to having had to distance herself from the judgment of others in order to remain healthy. Although a casting rejection can make you feel worthless, she quickly understood that an agency's decision is not a truth written in stone: just because one agency does not like you does not make you the ugly duckling of the group, and there are many other agencies who may take you in.

Modeling was never on the list of Lepere's favorite things to do; she actually wanted to be an architect in Antwerp. However, her friends included Dries Van Noten and Olivier Theyskens who quickly introduced her to the world of fashion. These two designers convinced her to walk for them, which she did willingly.

It was 1999 and given the reaction to her presence, Lepere understood that she should not let this chance pass her by; she decided to temporarily stop her studies. She had never been attracted by the sequins and lights of the business, but she was eager to travel and meet people; she agreed to sign with IMG and leave for New York where the agency's headquarters are.

Her thick eyebrows and androgynous body quickly intrigued the famous photographers, e.g. Steven Meisel, Mario Testino, Ines van Lamsweerde and Vinoodh Matadin. In 2000, she made the cover of Marie Claire then appeared in a fashion editorial for Vogue Italy.

In 2001, her success was well established. She became the face of Missoni, Louis Vuitton and Hugo Boss' perfume, Deep Red. She even closed for the Prada and Christian Lacroix shows (equivalent to a open vote of confidence in the business). She ended the year well by becoming part of the Victoria's Secret team.

In 2002, she started a line of jewelry for non-pierced ears, primarily because she could not find any for hers. During the following years, she became a bankable model.

The only thing missing was a prince charming. He arrived in 2005 in the guise of Jefferson Hack, Kate Moss' ex and co-founder of the magazine Dazed & Confused. They were seen at all the hip parties in Paris, New York and London, where they mix together under the name "Runaway DJs." In 2007, they were photographed together for the Gap campaign.

In a business where the girls are put out to pasture after 25, Anouck Lepere is an exception. In 2008, she was present on all fronts - whether as the face of Jimmy Choo, walking for Chanel, Prada and Gucci or posing for the cover of Playboy, her botox-free, insolent rock-and-roll youth can be seen everywhere.