“As a model, I felt I was being celebrated for my individuality. Also, I grew up in an era of women when we all suddenly realized we don't live in a female clone society and I began to feel like, 'Oh great! I'm not going to go out and buy a pair of tits because I don't need to! That's wonderful”
Daughter of a welder and nursery school teacher, Erin O’ Connor is considered to be one of the biggest successes in the modeling world.
Residence:
Hometown: Walsall, England
Height: 182.5 cm
Eye Color: Hazel
Date of Birth: February 9, 1978
Agency:
One Model Management
Campaigns:
Chanel, Donna Karan, Giorgio Armani, Givenchy, Moschino, Jean Paul Gaultier, Versace
Charities:
Model Sanctuary
Full Bio
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Daughter of a welder and nursery school teacher, Erin O’ Connor is considered to be one of the big successes in the modeling world. This Walsall beauty never imagined herself as a top model. Embarrassed by her lanky figure and staggering height, as a high school student, Erin set her sights on a more scholarly career, teaching. After a scout from Models 1 discovered Erin at a clothes show exhibition in 1995, it didn’t take long for her to reach model stardom.
Born on February 9, 1978, Erin’s skinny build and androgynous features made her stand out from the crowd. Erin has a lethal combination of grace, intelligence and wit that had designers hiring her time and time again. She walked in shows for Fendi, Donna Karan, Gucci, Valentino, and Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld even described her as, “one of the best models in the world.”
The fashion world seemed to agree with Lagerfeld’s opinion of Erin. In 1998, she landed her first magazine cover in the January issue of Vogue Italia. It didn’t stop there. Nine months later she was featured on the US Vogue cover. Erin has been seen on the covers of Elle, Harper’s Bazaar, and Dazed & Confused.
But her achievements go beyond the modeling industry. Erin landed a spot on U.K’s 40 wealthiest people under 30. Her credentials range from actress to fashion designer. She snatched a role in Absolutely Fabulous: Paris, and starred in other movies such as Born Champion, & Yard Sale, as well as a documentary titled, A Model Life. Erin also collaborated with stylist Kate Halfpenny to create a clothing line coined, “She Died of Beauty.” Even with her acting chops and eye for detail, Erin still strutted on the runway in shows like Valentino and Christian Dior couture.
Despite her success, Erin is very much aware of the hardships and challenges models face each day. In 2008, she founded Model Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization supported by the Britain Fashion Council, where models can relax and recharge from their hectic schedules to seek advice from a diverse group of professionals like nutritionists and life coaches.
Although Erin is dedicated to her foundation and has written for various publications for The Sunday Times, the Daily Mail and London Fashion Week’s The Daily Rubbish, she still continues appearing on the runway.
