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Alexa Chung grew up in quiet Hampshire with her parents and three older siblings. She was discovered at the age of 16 in the comedy tent at a music festival, and was soon taken on by Storm Model Management.

The 26-year-old fashionista was involved in a number of modelling campaigns at the start of her career, appearing in Elle Girl and CosmoGirl! magazines. She also appeared in a number of adverts and music videos. She has walked the catwalk for Vivienne Westwood’s Red Label and has been the face of high street store New Look and Oxfam’s ethical range, Revamped.

Alexa decided to halt her modelling career after four years in the industry and planned to direct her attention towards studying art or fashion journalism. Although she didn’t end up doing either, she still wants to go to university at some point. She has said that she left modelling because it lowered her self-esteem and distorted her body image.

Since leaving modelling, she has built a successful career as a TV presenter, working on Channel 4 shows including Popworld, Gok’s Fashion Fix and Big Brother’s Big Mouth. Earlier in 2009, Alexa decided to take her career stateside, moving to New York with her boyfriend, Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner. She now presents her own live MTV programme, It’s On with Alexa Chung.

Alexa is a firm favourite in fashion circles with her seemingly effortless style, but more than that she actually seems nice. She has risen to ‘It-girl’ status over the last couple of years. “It’s really quite depressing title to hold,” Alexa told the Times journalist Kate Spicer. “If it were a job, what would it entail?” she asked Alexa. “Well, for me, it would be a charity-shop coat, a Mulberry bag, drinking champagne at a bad party and having a boyfriend in a band.”

Alexa has won awards for her style and television presenting skills, but she also has other areas of interest. She has created a range of for ethical jewellery company Made, written a column for The Independent, become a contributing editor for British Vogue and worked with various charities. It’s just a shame that some people can’t see beyond the It-girl status.