Circus, London, on November 1, 2010 CELEBRATING THE ERA-DEFINING CAREER OF KATE MOSS

AS THE SUPERMODEL AND FASHION ICON PREPARES TO TURN 50

- LAURA BENJAMIN AND SALLY MORGAN

For four decades she has been right at the top of the supermodel game. Recently marking her 50th birthday at the Ritz Hotel in Paris with family and friends, including Charlotte Tilbury and Stella McCartney, Kate Moss shows no signs of slowing down.

Remaining as in demand as the day she was famously discovered as a teenager, the Croydon-born catwalk queen has starred in countless fashion shoots and advertisements for the world’s most luxurious brands while inspiring fans all over the world with her unique sartorial style.

As she celebrated the big 5-0 on 16 January, this ever-chic star can revel in the fact that her standing as one of the most famous models the UK has produced remains as high as ever.

Despite having officially retired from the runway many years ago, Kate still keeps herself in the game, hand-picking campaigns while running her own modelling agency and wellness brand. And while there may now be other catwalk stars snapping at her (skyhigh) heels, she still remains far ahead of the fashion pack.

A TRUE ORIGINAL

Indeed, star hairstylist Sam McKnight, whose clientele has included Diana, Princess of Wales and Naomi Campbell, puts Kate’s enduring style down to the fact that she has a strong sense of self.

Sam — who has been styling the model’s hair for decades — told HELLO!: “The reason Kate resonates with so many people through the generations is because she’s not a creation, she’s just herself. So many women want to look like her because she has that kind of beauty that isn’t terrifyingly unattainable; it feels like she could live next door and you could possibly look a little bit like that.”