Lily Cole braves 'size zero' storm with brains and beauty

AFP, September, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — As she strode down the catwalk at London Fashion Week last week, Lily Cole showed little sign of being bothered by the controversy raging around her. At 1.78 metres (5ft 10in) tall and weighing just over 50 kilograms (eight stone), the elfin redhead Cole is one of the "size zero" models who some say should be banned from the shows for setting a bad example to young girls.

But the 18-year-old came up with a typically snappy answer to those questioning the slenderness of her waistline after another rapturously-received turn in the limelight: "I don't know what people are on about, I am fine as I am. "In fact, I am going to get a drink to celebrate my performances." Such a punchy riposte is typical of Cole, who secured a place at King's College, Cambridge, alma mater of author Zadie Smith and economist John Maynard Keynes, ...