Lily Cole: Role Model Supermodel

At barely 21 years old, British supermodel Lily Cole has already achieved international success in the modeling industry with her unusual looks – the flaming red hair, round and childlike/doll-like face, and porcelain skin have combined extraordinarily with her 5'10" height.

Add this to her "peculiarity": unlike most models who give up on education to follow the glitz of modeling, Lily Cole opted not to stop schooling despite all the fame and hectic schedules.

"It can be difficult, but I manage fine," says the supermodel of her academic/modeling/acting career. Aside from studying at Cambridge, she has a Rimmel contract to model plus a number of films as a budding actress – avantgarde film Rage, Doctor Parnassus, and Marilyn Manson's forthcoming film Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll.

"I think, in the circumstances, my exams went better than they might have done. I am enjoying my degree. Sometimes it's hard with everything else that is going on, but the intrinsic learning – well, the natural geek in me loves that." "I'm really proud of my first. I put a lot of work into it so I felt I deserved it," adds Lily Cole as she is one of only three students on her course to gain a first.

Asked if she had insecurities during her teens, she says "Yes, for sure when I was younger. I can't remember what it was specifically – my height, my hair or just features I didn't like. I was like most teenagers. I wanted to look more conventional – you know, to just be the pretty girl in school."


Sure she had body issues, like everyone of us. But because Lily Cole has already made a successful living out of her unusual looks, there is nothing in her appearance that she would change. "In all honesty, I don't think I would. I have made a living off the way I look, and I have really learn to accept myself for being unusual... Yes, actually if you had asked me a few years ago what I would change about my appearance I would have wished for boobs – but I got those."

Aside from the value that the young model gives on education, Lily Cole has also campaigned for a number of ecological issues though she admits she has been too busy with school in the recent days.

Because of her determination to finish her education, participation in social issues, and acceptance and nurturing of her individuality, fans of the supermodel believe that she is a refreshing role model for young girls in this "vulgar" society.

Humbling herself, Lily Cole retorts "I don't think of myself as a role model for others, but I like to live my life by my own integrity. So in that sense I might be a positive influence. I do believe you should get over your insecurities and just try to be the best you can."

Back-To-School Lily Cole

The 20-year old supermodel Lily Cole is back to school as she enrolled a course in history of art at the prestigious Cambridge University in London two weeks ago.


The flamed-haired model deferred from school for two years to hit the catwalk. Nevertheless, she was known in the fashion industry as a beauty-and-brain model. Back at school, Lily earned straight As in her A-Levels.

So what convinced the 5'10'' Lily Cole to swap the catwalk for school?

According to the young model, “Modeling can get a little lonely sometimes, especially when you are traveling on your own. That’s what I’m looking forward to about going to university to meet lots of new people.”

While at the university, Lily Cole said she wants to be treated just like any other student. On one sunny day around Cambridge, the supermodel was seen cycling her way around the grounds. Perhaps she has tried to be low-profile as she choose to bike ride instead of drive.

But the Marks and Spencer model did not really leave modeling for good. She will spend three-years at King's College but will still do modeling during holidays.

“I’ll still do bits of modeling alongside my degree. We have long holidays so I’m hoping I’ll be able to work then,” says back-to-school Lily Cole.

“This Is Not Just Any Nude Photo, It’s Art!” - Lily Cole

Lily Cole, 20-year old British supermodel, posed unclothed in French Playboy with the belief that the shoot is “not just nude, it's art.”


Lily Cole is featured in a 14-page spread inside the Playboy magazine. In the interview which accompanied the photos, she explained why she was convinced to pose naked.

“Nudity has always existed in art, and I think that, given the right conditions, it doesn’t necessarily 'debase' any more than it celebrates or represents the human body.”

Being a high-profiled fashion model who have worked with top clothing companies like M&S, the decision of the young model to pose for the men's magazine had triggered controversy even before its release.

Although there have been reports of Lily Cole to be dropped by M&S, the supermodel remained confident that her decision to pose for Playboy will not caused her her career. To back her up, a spokesman for M&S also released a statement saying, “Lily Cole is a popular, high-profile model who is very much in demand, and this is one of the key reasons why we have chosen to work with her. It’s entirely her own choice as to what other work she accepts and we would not wish to interfere with her career.”

In a way, Lily Cole's reasoning is not bad when she poses for French Playboy and declares, “This is not just any nude photo, it’s art!” It's not wrong to pose nude on magazines or on any other forms of art. However, fashion models should also be cautious as to what company they're posing for. For one, nude modeling is art but it is one of the most common means of sexual exploitation.