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rest in power
December 23, 2020

Remembering Stella Tennant’s Long Runway Career

By Emilia Petrarca

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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.

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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

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