The supermodel life

Reuters

RETRO CHIC: Model Agyness Deyn keeps trim by cycling around London on an old-fashioned bike with a straw basket, but that's just one way supermodels keep busy away from the catwalk.

Relevant offers

Even if you're not modelling on the world's hottest catwalks, you can follow the lead of the genetically blessed by adopting their hobbies.

1 Ditch the car and sport some real wheels

Take a leaf out of English model Agyness Deyn's book and opt to cycle your way through town. The pixie-faced punk whose unique androgynous looks have scored her contracts with labels such as Burberry, Mulberry and Vivienne Westwood told Britain's Sunday Mirror her transport of choice is "an old Pashley Princess Classic, an old-fashioned black-framed bike with a straw basket".

"I ride everywhere and when I am on the bike and see a good shop I can jump off and go in and have a look around."

Erin Wasson, who worked as a Victoria's Secret model in 2007 and played the object of Justin Timberlake's affection in his debut clothing line's advertising campaign, prefers to hit the road on her skateboard.

"I've built a treehouse in my backyard and I've got a half-pipe there also, so every summer I bring all the kids from the neighbourhood over and I teach them how to skate," she told Vero Moda magazine.

2 Get creative on paper

Russian model Sasha Pivovarova says you don't need to paint like Picasso to tap into your creativity.

"I have these large pieces of recycled brown paper stretched on my apartment wall and when I am not doing anything fashion-related, I'm drawing on it, playing with colour spectrums," she told V magazine recently.

She is said to carry her art tools with her between catwalk shows and has even converted part of her New York apartment into a private studio.

3. Channel your inner Grandma

How does a model pass the time backstage before a catwalk show? By knitting scarves and woolly jumpers, of course.

US model Amber Valletta and Scottish colleague Stella Tennant have both been spotted knitting on various occasions while backstage hair and make-up types fuss over them. Quite clever, really, as knitting is a sure-fire way to ensure your wardrobe won't mirror anybody else's. You can pick up myriad wool textures and colours at Lincraft.

4. Spin the decks

Alien-featured Gemma Ward requested her friend Agyness Deyn hit the turntables at Ward's 20th-birthday bash last year and Deyn isn't the only model who enjoys dabbling in DJ-ing.

Not everyone can play that funky music like Deyn can, however - Kate Moss was rumoured to have been asked to leave the turntables in Ibiza's celebrity haunt Amnesia nightclub in August because she just wasn't very good.

Professional lessons might be a good idea for those of us who plan on spinning some discs ourselves, despite how uncool professional DJs claim classes may be.

5. Capture every moment

The ridiculously good-looking Helena Christensen has made one hell of a name for herself in the world of photography. The model-turned-snapper has worked for magazines including Marie Claire and Elle and her exhibition, A Quiet Story, is currently travelling the world.

It contains images of fellow models such as Sophie Dahl. Christensen has said she is also a fan of taking Polaroid photographs.

"I do a lot of photography. I often take Polaroids of things that strike me as visually interesting, just to remember them and perhaps use later."

6. Sing on the side

One of the coolest moments in catwalk entertainment was when Karl Lagerfeld asked his Canadian muse to take over the microphone at a special Chanel catwalk show in London last year.

Model Irina Lazareanu, who is globally adored for her trademark quirky looks, sang folk-pop tunes while Sean Lennon accompanied her on piano - divine.

The 25-year-old brunette thanks her ex-boyfriend Pete Doherty for her fabulous set of pipes.

"He is a brilliant and sensitive person who taught me how to make lyrics fit melodies," she told Elle magazine.

Lazareanu is now collaborating with Lennon on a duet album but she says: "My music isn't commercial - I just want to learn from people and do the best I can do."

- © Fairfax NZ News