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Michelle Behennah (born January 7,
1977, Singapore) is an English model.
Behennah was born in Singapore where her father was a school
administrator. The youngest of three children, Michelle relocated to
Sheffield, England, after her parents' divorce. Her mother Rosemary
eventually remarried and now lives in France where she and her current
husband manage an inn.
As a child, Behennah aspired to study medicine and become a plastic
surgeon. Her mother saw her potential as a model. At the urging of her
mother, 14-year old Michelle entered a beauty contest sponsored by a
shampoo company.Michelle won the contest.
She next entered the 1993 Ford Agency "Supermodel of the World"
competition. At this event she was a finalist, along with now fellow model
Magdalena Wrobel. Her career was now launched.
After her win, Michelle moved to Paris, where she spent seven years
establishing her name in the modeling industry. While there, she appeared
in magazines such as Elle US, Glamour Italy, Vogue Italy and Spain,
Mademoiselle, and Cosmopolitan.
She has also modelled for designers such as Cynthia Rowley, Valentino,
BCBG, Donna Karan, Emanuel Ungaro, Nina Ricci, Ralph Lauren, Salvatore
Ferragamo, Chanel, and Thierry Mugler.
In 1999, Michelle made the move to yet another world fashion centre, New
York, where her career flourished. Besides the fact that she has appeared
in high-profile advertisements for Burberry, Esprit, Givenchy, Vanderbilt
Jeans, Hewlett Packard, J.Crew, Kenzo, L'Oréal "Elnett" hairspray, Mango,
Nina Ricci, Saks Fifth Avenue, Swatch watches, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Michelle has also modeled swimsuits for Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit
Edition, in 1999, 2000 and 2001. In addition to her Sports Illustrated
shoots, she was the object/subject of Joanne Gair's inaugural body
painting works as part of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. |
