Tributes have been flooding in for British model Stella Tennant, following her sudden death at the age of 50.
On Wednesday, Stella’s family issued a statement saying: “It is with great sadness we announce the sudden death of Stella Tennant on 22nd December 2020.
“Stella was a wonderful woman and an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed.”
Since news broke of her death, tributes have been paid by many in the fashion industry who knew and worked with Stella.
Sharing pictures of Stella on Instagram, supermodel Naomi Campbell remembered her as a “class act”, writing: “You were one of the good ones, never any love lost when we would see each other [we] always picked up from where we left off.
“Effortless and the epitome of grace , even when you would sit in a corner doing your needle point. Timeless Angel amongst us. My deepest condolences to your beautiful children, family and loved ones. ICON YOU WILL ALWAYS BE.”
Kate Moss also posted a photo of herself and Stella on her modelling agency’s official Instagram page, while British Vogue editor Edward Enninful penned a heartfelt tribute to the “British Vogue icon” on the magazine’s website.
“She was always so stylish, so together, so kind, so polite,” he wrote.
“At one time, she was every designer’s muse – she was the ultimate chameleon, one moment a down-town Brit, next, a stunning debutante. She went on to have four children and was a fantastic mother – family always came first.”
Fashion legend Donatella Versace also paid her respects on Instagram, writing: “I cannot believe you are gone. You have left us way too soon. We met when you were at the beginning of your career. I cherish every moment we spent together.”
Born and raised in Scotland, Stella was the granddaughter of Andrew Cavendish, the 11th Duke Of Devonshire, and Deborah Mitford, one of the famous aristocratic sisters.
She got her start in the modelling industry in the early 1990s, going on to appear in photo-shoots for Vogue – both in her home country of the UK and international editions – and Harper’s Bazaar.
Stella was also one of the models who were featured in the London Olympics Closing Ceremony in 2012, in a section celebrating the world of British fashion.
She married former photographer David Lasnet in 1999, with whom she had four children; Marcel, Cecily, Jasmine and Iris.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Officers were called to an address in Duns around 11.30am on Tuesday, December 22 following the sudden death of a 50-year-old woman.
“Her next of kin have been made aware. There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
