Agyness Deyn is an English model, she was born Laura Hollins in Littleborough, Greater Manchester, England on February 16, 1983, although there has been some controversy over her actual year of birth. The future supermodel went through a tomboy phase as a youngster. She learned karate and, at the age of 11, she cut her hair short to make strangers think she was a boy. After focusing on drama and music at Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School, she went on to study math, business and theater at All-Saints Catholic Language College.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.
Agyness Deyn 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.
Agyness Deyn began working part-time at The Village Chippy, a fish 'n' chips restaurant in Stubbins, Lancashire, when she was 14. It was there that she was discovered by designer Henry Holland, who was known for his rhyming slogan T-shirts. Agyness Deyn soon became the face of the House of Holland label, and eventually started thinking about making a career out of modeling. In 1999, while attending All-Saints, the 16-year-old entered and won the Rossendale Free Press Face of '99 modeling competition.
Not long after that, Agyness Deyn moved down to London to pursue her dreams. She initially supported herself by working two jobs, serving hamburgers during the day and drinks at a cocktail bar by night. Within a few months, her waitressing days were a thing of the past as, at the age of 18, she was signed by the Models 1 agency after catching the eye of a local photographer.
Agyness Deyn As for professional endorsements Deyn has appeared in advertisements for Anna Sui, Blugirl by Blumarine,Burberry, Cacharel, Gianfranco Ferre, 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.
Throughout 2007, Agyness Deyn was dogged by claims that she and her associates had falsely claimed her year of birth to be 1986, and not 1983, as some internet databases had cited. Some of her former schoolmates created a Facebook page whose purpose was to reveal her actual age, while a number of publications pressed Agyness Deyn's mother, Lorraine, to come clean about her daughter's age. She responded by stating that she had been advised to refrain from commenting on the matter. Despite the debate regarding her age, Agyness Deyn was named Model of the Year at the British Fashion Awards on November 27, 2007
Musical career
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.