Stella Tenant

Stella Tenant Biography

Stella Tenant was born in 1970 in Scotland and one of the most successful British models of all time, popularising a more controversial aesthetic than the fashion industry was used to. Stella was born into Scottish nobility, her Mother is Lady Emma Cavendish and her Grandmother the Duchess of Devonshire.

Stella was discovered following an introduction to fashion writer Plum Skyes, at the time Stella had her nose pierced and the unusual look impressed Plum.

Iconic photographer Steven Meisel was one of the first in the industry to notice Stella and he became the catalyst for her career, propelling her to new heights of success. Stella worked with Meisel for a well-known shoot for Vogue, which is to this day the most expensive fashion shoot to have been commissioned. Stella continued to feature in many of Meisel’s shoots, as the model became a favourite of the photographer.

Modelling was never one of the careers that Stella had considered, she describes her first love as sculpting and she describes how surprised she is to be a success in the fashion industry: “When jobs come up I’m still… Wow! Weird! Sometimes I see myself and I have no idea why they booked me.”

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Stella was a favourite across the industry and modelled for high-end designers including Versace, Calvin Klein, Hermès, Burberry and Chanel and she also appeared for magazines such as W, Harpers Bazaar and L’Officiel.

Stella announced her retirement from modelling in 1998, however she has returned for a limited selection since. After the birth of her first child in 2001 Stella retuned to fashion to collaborate on a knitwear line with Burberry and the next year she featured in Chanel’s Spring/Summer campaign.

In 2009 Stella teamed up with the company, Global Cool, on a project to encourage using less energy at home.

Stella is married photographer David Lasnet and they will live together with their four children in Stella’s hometown in Scotland.

Stella Tenant Biography