WOW. I mean, that’s all I can say, WOW.
Hanne Gaby Odiele is ROCKING it in this picture, one of my favorite street style looks ever. Model off duty, perfected.

& if you didn’t know,
“In December 2006, she was hit by a car that sped past a red light. She broke her legs and had multiple surgeries. After several months of intense physical therapy, she was back on the runway in spring and fall 2008 shows, walking for Chanel, Givenchy, and Prada, among others.”

Picture by Phil Oh for Vogue.com.

Here at ERIIN, we are such huge fans of models who have unique characters – individuals who are real, take pride in what they do, and are all-round positive, loving people. Lara Bingle, one of Australia’s top models, is one such example. Lara is our age (which somehow makes it easier to relate), and has such a great sense of style - you can check out pictures of her on our Tumblr here, more updates soon! Here’s Lara in Who Magazine, 7th November, 2011, at her superbly welcoming & comfortable home.

Read this interview with Lara about the recent debate of her 5 kilo weight gain – we love how down-to-earth and realistic she is about her body image & health. As Lara said, “I used to eat so badly when I was younger – lots of hot chips and pies – and I think it’s all caught up with me … I eat so much better now, and stick to a high-protein, low-carb diet, but it’s like the healthier I am the bigger I am. Without a doubt it gets harder as you get older. I’m just trying to embrace my curves and make sure I stay fit and well. I’m proud of my body and how I look and this image is testament to that.”

Maisha & myself believe in being strong role models to our peers when it comes to eating habits, and the fashion industry has been responsible for a lot of girls wanting to be skinnier versions of themselves, myself included. Over time, as I’ve garnered more experiences as I age, it really is all about what you eat, and how much you love yourself, your confidence, and your love for everything around you, that actually impacts you as a person. No matter how thin or model-esque you look, a lack of positivity, confidence, and care for your health will always make you look down-trodden & unattractive. Working out, doing activities you love like yoga, biking or hiking, as well as ensuring you maintain a balanced diet of fresh fruits, vegetables and protein, would give your body & skin a glow that nothing else can help achieve! We would love to hear your take on the beauty & body image issue that has come up time & again, do leave a comment or drop us an email if you’d like your voice to be heard! x

You’ll be hard pressed to find someone more deserving of the ‘IT-girl’ status than Ms. Alexa Chung. Her unexpectedly chic twists and details on her outfits, paired with simple make-up, allow her to stay ahead of the trends, without ever looking like she’s tried too hard.  I also particularly like how she styles her denim, as well as how she always looks event-appropriate, without sacrificing practicality and personal comfort. A master of contradiction, Alexa manages to look sexy yet conservative, modern yet old-fashioned while appearing boyish yet feminine. So jealous!

Did I mention that Alexa is also incredibly pretty, has amazing legs and sports an adorable haircut?  SWOON !!
For a larger dose of Alexa Chung, visit ERIIN’s tumblr. I also stumbled upon this cute blog post about how to dress like her and thought it was a fun read!

Images from here, here & here.