Intimidated Supermodel

Tyra Banks for Alexander McQueen



Tyra Banks used to feel 'intimidated' by fashion designers. The supermodel-turned-businesswoman admitted although she enjoyed a successful career as a model before developing her own business empire, she felt like a 'little teenage girl' around designers such as Chanel's Karl Lagerfeld.

She said: 'I'm not the high-fashion girl inside. So I was walking in the runways of Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent and Dior and all the other top designers of the world and the Vogues and the Bazaars and all that globally, but I always still felt intimidated, which is interesting.

'Karl Lagerfeld is dressing me, Yves Saint Laurent is like smoothing my hem or something, and I felt like a little teenage girl and these amazing designers were around me and they were like these Greek gods.'

The 'America's Next Top Model' presenter and producer - who recently launched her own online magazine Type F - also revealed that fellow model Cindy Crawford, who was always in control of her surroundings, inspired her to immerse herself in the business side of the industry. Recalling the moment she witnessed Cindy's power for herself, she told NYmag.com: 'She had all these people around her and she looked so in control.

'She was hosting MTV's 'House of Style', and I was just like, 'Wooooaaaahhhh. She's not waiting for a phone to ring and for a designer to hire her, and I know she has a Revlon contract, and I hear that she has an office at Revlon.' ' 'Like to me her having an office in the Revlon building was like, 'I want an office in a building like that.' '

Q

More Style than Spice?

Victoria Beckham is flattered people think Roland Mouret designs her fashion label.

At 18 I was in the Spice Girls. But I wasn't very good, let's be honest, I didn't really, you know. sing. This is something I can do.'

The former Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer - who launched her clothing collection in 2008 - often has to contend with reports claiming Roland does all her work for her and while she insists it's not true, she looks at it as a compliment.

She said: 'I suppose if people think the clothes are too good for me to have designed them, that's a backhanded compliment.

Look, I don't draw, but nor do lots of designers. I tie things around me. I experiment with ideas and I try to work out a way to make everything flattering and make a woman feel beautiful.

Oprah Winfrey recently asked me to make her a dress. I must be doing something right.'

(Red) Birds of the Same Feathers... ...

...Flock Together

Where did the rest of Naomi Bird's feathers gone to?

Oh. Victoria Bird took them for a day out.

Naomi Campbell relies on Victoria Beckham to get her out of a style rut.

The supermodel is great friends with the singer-turned-fashion designer and when she can't find anything to wear, she rings Victoria up and one of her creations is sent over.

She told the Daily Mirror newspaper:

'Victoria is amazing, a real sister. When I'm stuck in a rut, she's always at the other end of the phone to send a pair of jeans.
'They work wonders on the legs. I love her designs. I'm always in them. I've worked with Vivienne Westwood, Alexander McQueen and so many great designers. So I'm proud Victoria is up there too.'

While she sometimes admits to being stuck in a style rut, Naomi was given the Special Recognition Award at the British Fashion Awards on Tuesday (07.12.10) and says she felt honoured with the accolade, which celebrated her 25 years in the industry.

She said:

'Sorry I just got all teary, it's just overwhelming to be recognised in your own country, it's a huge privilege and it makes me feel very proud to be British. Women of colour are now far better represented - we still have a long way to go, but I'm very proud.'

...and conveniently forget what fellow black Supermodel Tyra Banks did States-side.

Q ... the horrors of Fashion royalty.