She’s the onesie-loving, beanie-wearing darling of British fashion –and our ultimate style crush. All hail Cara Delevingne!
She may be just 20 years old, but multimillion-pound-earning model Cara Delevingne already has the fashion industry falling at her feet.
She’s been dubbed the new Kate Moss, photographer Mario Testino crosses oceans to shoot her, and she’s Burberry and Chanel’s first choice for advertising campaigns, commanding £500,000 for one booking alone.
Cara’s effortless sense of style regularly sees her featured on the best-dressed lists, and she’s single-handedly made ’80s big brows desirable again. Little wonder she was named Model Of The Year at 2012’s British Fashion Awards.
So, having the uber-cool Londoner grace the cover of our Style issue was, frankly, a no-brainer.
It’s been a long time since anyone created a buzz quite like Cara, but just who is the girl behind the ad campaigns and addictive Instagram feed?
“People talk about Cara being the new Kate Moss, but she is too special in her own right to be following in anyone’s footsteps,” a well-respected fashion insider told us.
“She’s versatile in a way other models are not. Very few girls can walk the Victoria’s Secret runway in underwear one minute, then pull off a classy Burberry trench on a billboard the next. The camera simply loves her, and her amazing energy and personality shine through in every shot.”
Cara’s popularity doesn’t end with the fashion industry either. She has a pop-star-esque fan base on Twitter, with over 400,000 followers logging on for her posts and Instagram pictures, which showcase her hip, off-duty style.
Left: She just loves hats! Right: Rita Ora is her wifey
Natural style
Cara’s low-fi look and cheeky sense of humour has attracted admirers in droves.
“She rarely wears make-up when she’s away from the cameras, and is very low maintenance,” said our source. “She’s a tomboy and happiest in a onesie. I remember her once turning up to an event with soaking-wet hair shoved under a beanie hat – she hadn’t even bothered brushing it. That’s how chilled she is about her looks.”
Cara herself says: “My style is a mixture of both Sienna and Alexa, although I’m more tomboy-ish than either of them.”
It’s the same “take-me-as-you-find-me” vibe that Kate Moss devotees know well. But unlike Croydon-born Kate, Cara was born into privilege. Along with her two sisters – Chloe, 28, a charity fund-raiser, and Poppy, 26, a successful model in her own right – she attended the exclusive Bedales boarding school. Joan Collins, no less, is her godmother, and she grew up in a mansion in London’s posh Belgravia.
The girls inherited their striking looks from their mum, Pandora, 52, a personal shopper, while father Charles, 63, works in property.
While you might think someone with Cara’s breeding would be rubbing shoulders with royals and aristocrats, she’s way too cool for that scene. Counting Rita Ora (who she affectionately calls “wifey”) and Azealia Banks (her slumber-party partner) among her closest gal pals, party-loving Cara is part of the ‘it’ crowd, regularly hanging out with Nick Grimshaw, Alexa Chung and Pixie Geldof.
She is currently in the process of moving into a flat in Islington, north London, with fellow model and close mate Georgia May Jagger.
Paying the rent will never worry Cara. She’s regularly the subject of bidding wars, as fashion houses compete to book her. She is in safe hands too, with her career being masterminded by Storm model agency’s Sarah Doukas (who, funnily enough, also manages Kate Moss).
“I have a great support network,” Cara says. “My family, my model agency Storm, people I work with in the fashion industry and, of course, all my followers on Twitter who stop me from feeling lonely. I love them all, they keep me grounded.”
And as if conquering the fashion world wasn’t enough, Cara looks set to become Hollywood’s Next Big Thing. She made her acting debut as Princess Sorokina in last year’s epic Anna Karenina. And she narrowly missed out on the part of Les Misérables’ Eponine, which went to Samantha Barks.
Earlier in her career, she was looked after by Victoria Beckham’s manager Simon Fuller, who wanted to turn her into a teen star.
A source claims: “He saw her as the new Billie Piper, but the pair decided to cool off their plans once Cara’s modelling picked up.
“Now, breaking into the film world is her number-one priority.”
Left: rocking double denim. Right: Cara’s trademark beanie and onesie
When Harry met Cara
For now though, model agent Sarah is in charge of Cara’s career and is known to have a tight control over everything she does. And we mean everything.
Last summer, Cara was pictured with Harry Styles, 19, but any blossoming romance had barely got off the ground before the proceedings came to an abrupt end.
According to a close friend, she was advised to cool it – and Harry was history.
Cara managed to keep everyone guessing though, saying that her relationship with Harry was “just a rumour”. And, not long after the Harry episode, she appeared to put a question mark over her sexuality when she posted on Twitter: “Don’t worry I play for more than one team”.
But more recently, she’s been linked to singer/songwriter Jake Bugg.
Whatever Cara’s predilections, anyone who’s anyone wants a piece of her.
Thankfully, there are no signs of her going off the rails. Her mantra? “Don’t let people knock you down, keep grounded and be happy.”
The fash pack
These girls rock our style world, too
Rita Ora, 22 Her bleach- blonde curls, trademark red lipstick and urban-princess style have made the Londoner Hot Right Now. Oh, and we want her toned abs.
Solange Knowles, 26 (left) It can’t be easy living in Beyoncé’s shadow, but Solange has emerged as a fashion-forward diva with an adventurous sense of style. And we love her ’fro.
Taylor Swift, 23 (right) We adore Taylor’s cute, low-key style. All cosy knitwear, skinny jeans and flats. Taylor rocks geek chic like no other.
Lindsey Wixson, 18 Her rosebud pout has made US teen Lindsey one of the most in-demand models around.
Kim Sears, 25 (left) Soft tailoring, silk tops and oversized scarves – Andy Murray’s other half has got chicness nailed. Plus, her super-glossy locks must make even Kate Middleton jel.
Miranda Kerr, 29 (right) Whether on mum duty or walking the red carpet, Aussie Miranda always looks immaculate. And she’s married to Orlando Bloom to boot. Grr.
Mary Berry, 77 (left) Mary’s floral Zara bomber flew off the shelves after she wore it on The Great British Bake Off. And the blue Damsel In A Dress gown she wore to the NTAs was the frock of the night.
Diane Kruger, 36 (right) She’s understated with oodles of class, but actress Diane shuns stylists, so this is all her own work.
Sophie Wessex, 48 Yes, really! Prince Edward’s wife always looks elegant.
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