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Ines Sastre

By SARA TEMPLETON

As far as surnames go, Sastre is one of my all-time favourites. It just rolls off the tongue - and together with a hint of an Español in your accent, it makes for a great introduction.

Unless your name is anything but Sastre...

The Spanish model would be considered past her modeling 'use-by' date by many of today's top models, but for my money she's one of the more memorable models of our era, with a face that just sparkles.

Ines was born in Spain, Valladolid to be exact, on the 21st of November in 1973. She was educated at a a bilingual French-Spanish school and, interestingly, modeling wasn't the first big career move she made.

At the age of 12, Ines went with a friend went to audition for a fast-food commercial, and she landed the part. Her first successful foray into television helped land her a part of Elvira in the 1987 film El Dorado, when she was 13.

As her acting career went from strength to the strength, the Spanish brunette decided to enter a modeling competition in 1989, and ended up winning Elite's "Look of the Year" contest.

When most teenagers would jump at the chance for a top shelf modeling agency contract, almost guaranteeing international success, Ines refused to sign with the Elite Modeling Agency - something that's never been documented before.

Instead, she concentrated on academia, and after spending the next few years completing her secondary schooling, she began a degree at the La Sorbonne University in Paris, France.

After completing her degree in French Literature, Ines spent time training at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, otherwise known as UNESCO. She also found the time to star in the critically acclaimed movie Al di la Delle Nuvole (Beyond the Clouds).

In addition to her triumphant return to the silver screen, Ines Sastre also starred in a number of commercials for companies like Max Factor and Vivelle, and forged a strong reputation in the fashion world with Next modeling agency, doing shows for labels such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Fendi, Sonia Rykiel, Chanel and Vivienne Westwood.

In 1996, the 5'9" tall Spanish actress succeeded Isabella Rossellini when she signed a deal to be the face of Trésor, Lancôme's new fragrance.

This three-year contract paid very well, and with her new financial freedom Ines was able to ditch doing commercials and runway shows, instead reading over film scripts.

She chose the movie Il Testimone dello Sposo (The Best Man) in 1997, and following this went back to school to study medieval literature. Her next movie cast her alongside French heavyweight Gérard Depardieu in Le comte de Monte-Cristo (The Count of Monte-Cristo).

As one of Europe's bigger stars, and one who didn't become tarnished by the Hollywood juggernaut, Ines Sastre spent more time fulfilling her role as a UNICEF ambassadress. In late 1999, she went to Bulgaria to film an historical film about a Gallic leader alongside Christophe Lambert, called Vercingetorix.

Since then, Ines has been in many European movies, including Torrente 2 : Mision en Marbella (2001), Volpone (2003), and Io No (2003), her fluency in English, French, Spanish and Italian helping greatly.

From her London home, Ines continues to model, act and continue her role as a UNICEF ambassadress, and travels across Europe regularly, particularly to France. She still finds time to play gold and ride horses in her spare time and is said to be a big fan pyjamas. And how about that surname - 'Sastre'. Just divine!