• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
rest in power
December 23, 2020

Remembering Stella Tennant’s Long Runway Career

By Emilia Petrarca

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Pin It
Stella Tennant walking Chanel's Spring 1994 runway. Photo: Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images

On Wednesday, the news of British model Stella Tennant’s sudden death rattled the fashion world. At the age of 50, she’d had a long and successful career spanning more than two decades, covering major magazines like Vogue and walking catwalks around the world up until the pandemic shut everything down this year. Her last show was in January, when she walked Valentino Haute Couture.

Born in Scotland into a family of aristocrats, Tennant got her start in the early ’90s after being noticed for her androgynous look. She made her Chanel debut wearing a nose ring and went on to to walk for Helmut Lang, Prada, Jean Paul Gaultier, Gianni Versace, and many more, in an era when supermodels ruled the catwalks. “We met when you were at the beginning of your career,” wrote Donatella Versace on Instagram following the news of Tennant’s death. “I cherish every moment we spent together.”

Looking back on Tennant’s runway career in particular, it’s clear that, despite her distinct look, she was also a shape-shifter, capable of taking on many different characters and roles, while still holding onto her signature special something. Those who spoke about her on Wednesday recalled not only her professionalism but also her kindness behind the scenes. And even when she wasn’t walking in Chanel shows, she still managed to look incredibly cool in the front row.

Below, some of her most striking runway moments over the years.

View
1 / 32 Photos
Anna Sui Spring 1994. Photo: Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Chanel Spring 1994. Photo: Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Paco Rabanne Spring 1995. Photo: Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 1995. Photo: Pool ARNAL/PICOT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Chanel Haute-Couture Fall 1995-96. Photo: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Chanel Fall 1995. Photo: PIERRE VERDY/AFP via Getty Images
Helmut Lang Fall 1995. Photo: Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Comme des Garçons Fall 1995. Photo: Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Chanel Fall 1996. Photo: GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images
Sonia Rykiel Spring 1996. Photo: GERARD JULIEN/AFP via Getty Images
Versace Haute Couture Spring 1996. Photo: PIERRE VERDY/AFP via Getty Images
Prada Spring 1997. Photo: Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Chanel Spring 1997. Photo: Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 1997. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Ann Demeulemeester Spring 1997. Photo: Guy Marineau/Conde Nast via Getty Images
Sonia Rykiel Spring 1997. Photo: Daniel SIMON/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Givenchy Couture by Alexander Mc Queen, 1997. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Givenchy Haute Couture Fall 1997-98. Photo: Pool ARNAL/PAT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Saint Laurent Haute Couture Fall 1997. Photo: Eric Robert/Sygma via Getty Images
Valentino Spring 1998. Photo: Pool ARNAL/PAT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Givenchy Spring 2000. Photo: Pierre VAUTHEY/Sygma via Getty Images
Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2000. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2003-04. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Jean Paul Gaultier Haute Couture Fall 2006-07. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Chanel Métiers d'Art 2011. Photo: Michel Dufour/WireImage
2012 London Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Photo: THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images
Versace Haute Couture Fall 2014. Photo: Catwalking/Getty Images
Balenciaga Spring 2018. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Berluti Men's Spring 2018. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Alexander McQueen Fall 2019. Photo: Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Saint Laurent Spring 2020. Photo: Victor VIRGILE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images
Valentino Haute Couture Spring 2020. Photo: Peter White/Getty Images
1 / 32

Tags:

  • image gallery
  • gallery
  • fashion
  • style
  • stella tennant
  • runway
  • in memorium
  • rest in power
  • More

More Galleries

campaign trail Apr. 12, 2021
7 Women on Where They’re Finding Hope These Days  A new fashion campaign that focuses on the positive. 
fashion Mar. 15, 2021
Dramatic Wedding Gowns Inspired by Flowers  Danielle Frankel bridges the gap between bridal and fashion. 
campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.