Kate Moss | Biography & Facts | Britannica

Kate Moss, (born January 16, 1974, London, England), British fashion model whose waifish figure and natural look redefined the industry in the ... KateMoss Sections&Media Article Introduction FastFacts Facts&RelatedContent Media Images AdditionalInfo MoreArticlesOnThisTopic Contributors ArticleHistory Home VisualArts FashionDesign KateMoss Britishmodel Print Cite verifiedCite Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetofollowcitationstylerules,theremaybesomediscrepancies. Pleaserefertotheappropriatestylemanualorothersourcesifyouhaveanyquestions. SelectCitationStyle MLA APA ChicagoManualofStyle CopyCitation Share Share Sharetosocialmedia Facebook Twitter URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kate-Moss More GiveFeedback ExternalWebsites Feedback Corrections?Updates?Omissions?Letusknowifyouhavesuggestionstoimprovethisarticle(requireslogin). FeedbackType Selectatype(Required) FactualCorrection Spelling/GrammarCorrection LinkCorrection AdditionalInformation Other YourFeedback SubmitFeedback Thankyouforyourfeedback Oureditorswillreviewwhatyou’vesubmittedanddeterminewhethertorevisethearticle. JoinBritannica'sPublishingPartnerProgramandourcommunityofexpertstogainaglobalaudienceforyourwork! ExternalWebsites FashionModelDirectory-BiographyofKateMoss By TheEditorsofEncyclopaediaBritannica | LastUpdated: Jan12,2022 | ViewEditHistory KateMoss Seeallmedia Born: January16,1974(age48) London England ...(Showmore) Seeallrelatedcontent→ KateMoss,(bornJanuary16,1974,London,England),Britishfashionmodelwhosewaifishfigureandnaturallookredefinedtheindustryinthe1990sandwholaterbecameaculturalicon.MossgrewupintheLondonboroughofCroydon.Attheageof14,shewasdiscoveredbySarahDoukas,theownerofthemodelingagencyStorm.In1990Mosscaughttheattentionofthefashionindustrywhenaseriesofstarkunstylizedphotographsofher—takenbytheBritishphotographerCorinneDay—werepublishedintheyouthstylemagazineTheFace.Atthattimethefashionindustrywaspopulatedbysupermodelswhowerefamousfortheirstatuesqueandcurvaceousframesandtraditionallyglamorousimages.Withhermorenaturallook,streetstyle,andslightbuild—atfivefeetseveninches,shewasshortforamodel—Mossbecameknownasan“anti-supermodel,”andshelaunchedanewerainmodeling,thoughnotwithoutsomecontroversy. BritannicaExplores 100WomenTrailblazers Meetextraordinarywomenwhodaredtobringgenderequalityandotherissuestotheforefront.Fromovercomingoppression,tobreakingrules,toreimaginingtheworldorwagingarebellion,thesewomenofhistoryhaveastorytotell. In1992MosssignedwithAmericandesignerCalvinKlein,andshesubsequentlyappearedinaseriesofadvertisementsforhisbrandthathighlightedherverythinframeclothedinskimpyattire.TheKleincampaign,aswellasaphotospreadinBritishVogueshotbyDay,causedafuror,asMosswasaccusedofpromotinganorexiaandpedophilia.Shebecamethesymbolfortheso-called“heroinchic”generationthatfollowedthegrungestyle.Despitetheuproar,Mossbecameoneofthemostsought-afterandhighest-paidmodels.IntheensuingdecadessheappearedinadcampaignsforDior,Burberry,Chanel,Versace,andDolceandGabbana,amongothers.Withhericonicstyle,shealsobecameamusetoanumberofdesigners.Althoughmanymodelsretirebytheirmid-20s,Mossremainedbusyintothe21stcentury,bywhichtimeshehadappearedonmorethan300magazinecovers.Inadditiontoherworkinfrontofthecamera,Mossalsowasinvolvedinseveraldesign-relatedventures.HerfirstcollectionfortheretailerTopshopappearedin2007—itreportedlysoldoutinoneday—andin2010shedebutedalineofhandbagsforLongchamp.Shealsolaunchedaperfumelinein2007,andherfirstlipstickcollectionforRimmelhitstoresin2011.In2020Moss’sjewelrycollaborationwithMessikaappeared.Moss’spersonallifewaswelldocumentedbythetabloids.Hervariousrelationships—notablywithAmericanactorJohnnyDepp;BritishpublisherJeffersonHack,withwhomshehadadaughterin2002;andJamieHince,aBritishrockerwhomshemarriedin2011anddivorcedin2016—werepopulartargets,aswasMoss’spartyinglifestyle.In2005atabloidpublishedphotographsofMossusingdrugswithherthen-boyfriendPeteDoherty,aBritishmusician.Theensuingscandalresultedinanumberofhercontractsbeingterminated.Bythefollowingyear,however,afterastintinrehab,Mosswasagainoneoftheindustry’stop-earningmodels.TheEditorsofEncyclopaediaBritannicaThisarticlewasmostrecentlyrevisedandupdatedbyAmyTikkanen.