Alexa Chung admits she thought her career ‘would be over by the time she was 20’ as she reflects on modelling regrets while posing for new Elle cover

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In a recent, open conversation, model Alexa Chung discussed her modeling-related regrets while appearing on the cover of Elle magazine’s October edition.

The 41-year-old model will be honored with the Timeless Muse award at the ELLE Style Awards 2025, which takes place on September 9.

Previously, she pondered back to the origin of the publication, confessing that at one point she thought her career might have ended before she turned 20 years old.

Despite being widely recognized as a source of inspiration for numerous leading designers due to her unique fashion sense since long ago, Alexa confessed that she harbors one significant regret from her initial years in her profession.

When inquired about having an image of how she might appear at age 40 when she was 22, she responded affirmatively, as during her younger years, the women she admired were older.

I had friends who were older than me, and I admired their style. Even my mom, I found really cool. Since I started modeling at a young age and feared my career might end by the time I was 20, I often pondered about my future plans.

In the past, I was eager to host Desert Island Discs, so I avoided taking any risks that could prevent me from getting the opportunity – as a result, I was rather cautious and refrained from participating in wilder photo shoots during that time.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but reflect on one thing that lingers in my mind: the fact that the woman gracing our airwaves with the wisdom of Woman’s Hour couldn’t also be the captivating cover girl who turns heads. If I could turn back time, I would have wished for a slightly more radiant and alluring presence – simply put, I yearned for a touch more foxy-ness.

Alexa made her debut into the public spotlight when she was 22 years old, even though she began modeling as early as the age of 15.

As a dedicated admirer, I’ve shared an unusual bond with this phenomenon since my teenage years. In high school, I found myself starring in music videos on MTV, a spectacle that left my peers awestruck. For me, Westlife represented a monumental moment in my life’s journey.

The remarkable shoot showcased several captivating photographs of Alexa Chung, most notably one in a bold, high-thigh leopard print jumpsuit that truly stood out.

In a single captivating moment, she grasped a sleek black jacket, while her brown hair flowed freely in a casual, natural style. Accentuating this laid-back aesthetic was an understated makeup look featuring gentle, earthy tones.

In a bold fashion statement, Alexa donned a Fishnet Givenchy bodysuit underneath black mini-shorts, topped with a small tube top, accentuating her legs. She completed the ensemble with high heels.

Alexa sported a Fishnet Givenchy bodysuit paired with black shorts and a tiny tube top, highlighting her legs. The look was finalized with stiletto boots.

Both versions maintain the original meaning and are written in simple and clear language for easy comprehension.

In another setting, the model appeared otherworldly while seated gracefully on an armchair, draped in a beautiful, billowing white lace gown.

In another picture, she wore a long-black sleeved dress. After that, she changed into a black leather jacket paired with jeans.

For the final image, Alexa showcased her model poise in a knitted black-and-cream cardigan.

Elsewhere during the interview, Alexa spoke about being referred to as a ‘style icon’.

She mentioned that others seemed to notice it more often than she did herself. Her mother used to comment, “Look, that girl resembles you.

It was indeed a great compliment. In similar situations, I find myself expressing, “I aspire to resemble Gabbriette.

It can be beneficial to draw inspiration from others’ styles occasionally, serving as a catalyst for you to explore and ultimately define your unique identity and personal style.

Regarding Popword, the show she co-hosted on Channel 4 from April 2006 to July 2007, Alexa expressed that she truly enjoyed it.

She shared that while modeling may be fantastic for certain individuals, she personally found it rather challenging.

I enjoyed being part of script meetings, seated around a table where my input was solicited, as Alex Zane and I were the ones responsible for penning the scripts.

‘It was such an amazing vote of confidence and that was what meant everything to me.’

Regarding her fashion on the popular show, the model shared that they were fortunate enough to have a budget allocated for purchasing clothes.

In a nutshell,

“My ultimate goal was visiting Topshop. I yearned to emulate the style my friends and I shared in reality.”

In this rephrased version, I aimed to maintain the original meaning while using simpler language for easier reading. The revised sentence focuses on the desire to visit Topshop and mimic the real-life style of the speaker and their friends. Additionally, I substituted “went straight into” with “visited” to create a more natural flow of the sentence. Lastly, “making an effort” has been replaced with “people on TV at that time were putting in an effort,” which provides context as to whom was making the efforts being referred to.

However, I found myself questioning, “Why are they dressed formally for Saturday morning television? One would expect casual attire like T-shirts, given the hangover situation. The heels and dress seem out of place.

Instead of automatically feeling anxious or timid, I consciously chose to experience a sense of normality, as this would give me the courage to be more assertive. This was essential because many of the interviews I encountered were particularly tough, requiring a good deal of bravery.

‘I had to feel like I was myself.’

The October issue of Elle UK is on sale from September 4.

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2025-09-03 02:55