Fashion honours iconic Moss as Playboy cover revealed

LONDON - Iconic supermodel Kate Moss was on Monday honoured by the British fashion industry for her 25-year career, shortly after her Playboy cover celebrating the magazine's 60th anniversary was revealed.

US designer Marc Jacobs handed the model her Special Recognition Award at the British Fashion Awards ceremony at London's Coliseum.

The British Fashion Council called the 39-year-old "fearless and intuitive" and praised her "strong work ethic and knowledge of the fashion industry".

Moss began her modelling career aged 14 after being discovered by talent scout Sarah Doukas in New York.

Ever since, the London-born model has graced the front covers of the world's fashion magazines and newspapers, transfixed by her high-profile romances including actor Johnny Depp and bad-boy rocker Pete Doherty.

Leading figures from the world of fashion lined up to pay tribute.

Celebrity snapper Mario Testino said Moss - the world's most prolific Vogue cover girl - had "made many people dream".

"The moment she puts on an outfit, it takes another identity," he explained. "She adds personality to fashion and I personally can never get enough of her."

Designer Donatella Versace highlighted Moss's "energy, charm and wit", adding "I love you Kate!"

Earlier Monday, racy shots from her 18-page spread in the January/February edition of Playboy were released.

Editorial director Jimmy Jellinek said: "Playboy's anniversary edition is a testament to 60 years of beautiful women, discerning taste, sexual emancipation, groundbreaking fiction and world-changing journalism.

"Having Kate Moss, a global icon and the most important supermodel of the past 25 years, appear on our cover makes this issue the perfect way to launch Playboy's next 60 years."