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Laetitia Casta

By SARA TEMPLETON

Without a doubt, Laetitia Casta is one of the most alluring, naturally beautiful super models of our era. Testament to this fact, her face will be appearing on various coins and stamps in France.

Forget the monarchy - give us Laetitia!

She hails from Normandy, France, where she spent the majority of her youth. Born on 11th of May, 1978 to father and mother Dominique and Line Casta, she reminisces about living in the country: "I lived for ten years in absolute simplicity, surrounded by nature with very few neighbors.

"I could play with the frogs in the river or wander through the woods with absolute freedom. It was fantastic.

"Even today, I love to sometimes throw my arms around a tree. It gives me energy and makes me feel close to nature."

Apart from being a tree-hugger, the French beauty was also quite a daydreamer in here early childhood. She used to love drawing and even writing fictional stories. In Latin, her name means joy, though during school she had no joy with the boys.

She didn't have a lot of luck with the opposite sex, but things changed when the French belle hit 15. She was discovered while spending at day at a beach in Corsica by a photographer and agent duo, who just happened to work for one of the big Parisian modeling agencies, Madison Models.

Her father Dominique wasn't too happy about the two strangers taking photos of his daughter, but eventually agreed to some test shots. It was not long after the Madison Models head honcho saw the photos of Laetitia that the founder of the company also decided that she had oodles of potential.

Before you can say "ferme la bouche!", Laetitia was already in talks with the people behind the French edition of Elle - probably the most sought-after Elle publication in the world. This was her big break and after this, the offers just kept rolling in. She started starring in many other glossy magazines and appeared on catwalks right across the globe.

Her next big move was when the founder and art director at Guess?, Paul Marciano, picked her for the company's next big campaign. Marciano is widely acknowledged for kick-starting Claudia Schiffer's fashion career, so big things were predicted for the French model.

After her work with Guess? she penned a deal with Victoria's Secret in 1996, cementing her place in the fashion world. Next up she appeared in the uber-exclusive (and highly lucrative) Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition - for three consecutive years! That's what we call an accolade.

She also appeared in such magazines as Rolling Stone (in the nuddy!) Glamour, Vogue and Cosmopolitan. She was signed to be L'Oreal's spokesperson in 1998 and she even holds a close relationship with fashion guru Yves St. Laurent. As such, whenever Laetitia strides down the catwalk, you can be sure that she's wearing one of Yves' personal works of art.

Apart from her high standing in the eyes of the French nation and her leading role as a top super model, Laetitia is also at the beginning of an acting career. Now, before you cringe, this babe ain't no Cindy Crawford.

Laetitia's first movie was the most expensive French movie ever made - the 1999 film adaptation of Asterix and Obelix. She starred alongside Roberto Benigni and Gerard Depardieu. She has even appeared in Chris Isaak's music video "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing".

Standing 5'8", Laetitia is the perfect model height. Couple this with her dark blonde hair, azure blue eyes and you've got the perfect recipe for complete and utter gorgeousness. Her attitude is up-beat, too. She shares very little of fellow supermodel Naomi Campbell's tantrums and people will often comment on her tranquil moods.

Often hailed as the most beautiful woman in the universe, Laetitia always draws a crowd. When she struts, people take notice. Laetitia is the ideal medium to show off the latest fashions - people can't take their eyes off her! Now Laetitia is expecting a child to her long-time fashion photographer boyfriend, Stephane Sednaoui.

What's next for the French world-beater? Acting. Laetitia says she wants to do more films - perhaps even invade Hollywood - but like a nice chewed-up security blanket, the fashion industry will always be there for her.