Laetitia Casta biography
Laetitia was raised in Normandie and Corsica, France, in the middle of an animal-filled forest, Laetitia has a down-home charm that's truly infectious. At the age of fifteen, Laetitia was discovered while vacationing with her family on a beach in Corsica, "the island of beauty", in France.
A modeling agent from the Madison Models' Agency approached her, and handed her father a business card with an invitation to bring his daughter to Paris for some test shoots. Once her father finally agreed to the agency taking some test photographs, her unmistakable potential was recognized by the founder of Madison Models - despite the fact that the shoot occurred without the aid of makeup and a designer wardroom which many models rely on to promote themselves. Within weeks of her first shoots, she was walking the runway for Jean-Paul Gaultier. However, her career did not begin to take off until the director of the French edition of Elle saw and was impressed with Laetitia's looks.
Modeling contracts and appearances in magazines quickly ensued. Paul Marciano, founder and art director of Guess? who is incidentally accredited for the success of Claudia Schiffer - was taken by Casta's near perfection. Her work in the Guess ad (she became their new front Girl) was her debut advertising campaign. Shot by Neil Kirk in Jamaica in October 1994. Thanks to Marciano, Guess has brought her international exposure and recognition.
In addition to Rolling Stone, Casta has adorned the pages of many other magazines, including the Italian edition of Glamour; Vogue; and Cosmopolitan. In 1998, she joined Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston in becoming a spokesperson for cosmetics company L'Oreal. Casta's relationship with designer Yves St. Laurent has helped to promote her career. Since 1998 Casta's public outfits have all been personal Yves St. Laurent creations.
Her appearance in the exclusive Pirelli calendar, considered a collector's item because it consists of beautiful shots taken by the most prestigious photographers, is considered one of Casta's accomplishments. In the 1999 issue, themed Women Through the Decades, Casta is featured as representative of the 1950's woman.
She lives in Paris with her parents, older brother and younger sister. Laetitia enjoys car racing with her friends, traveling, cooking with her mum and spending time with her younger sister. Laetitia also has a brown belt in Judo, she feels that it helps her in her modeling career to have control. To set limits for herself, to adopt a non-aggressive stance and to think with her mind not her emotions.
Happy and healthy, she currently lives in Paris with her mother, father, older brother and younger sister. When her hectic schedule allows, her favorite activities include painting, writing, rollerblading, going to the cinema, go-carting, practicing Judo and dancing. Laetitia is faithful to the island of Corsica and she's treating herself to a magnificent house with 46 rooms.
Laetitia became a French national obsession when she was elected by all the French mayors to be the representation of Marianne's effigy, the French Republic symbol. Known for her great sense of humor and a good head on her shoulders, Laetitia can look forward to a bright future.
Parents: Dominique and Line Casta
Laetitia Casta has both literally and figuratively broken the waif mold that the supermodel kingdom has been dominated by for decades. Born May 11, 1978 in Pont-Audemer, France, she has brought curves back to the forefront of top fashion magazines, although she hasn't done so without controversy. Her name means 'joy' in Latin, and she led a very joyous life in Normandy, where she lived with her family in the country
Before that though, she lived in Corsica where her father Dominique hailed from. Laetitia is very shy and has admitted on several occasions to be intimidated by men, which perhaps may absolutely boggle some men's minds. She did however become much less shy when her mother Line brought her sister Marie-Ange into the world, which inspired Laetitia to become a role model for her younger sister. Her childhood also encountered early 'development' of her chest, which at first caused her to feel awkward about her appearance, but a few years later she realized just how desired she was, and it was then she was discovered by a photographer from Madison Models. In 1993, Laetitia signed on with Guess? Jeans and from there, Victoria's Secret in 1996. Her popularity continued and she landed spots in the 1997, 1998, and 1999 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issues.
She's appeared in nearly 100 covers of major fashion magazines such as Cosmopolitan and Glamour and her momentum continues.
Though Laetitia hasn't done explicit nude work, she has been naked in what we'd call 'artistic' shoots, and she evokes passion as to whether or not she is 'beautiful' in the truest sense. When she was chosen as France's new "Marianne", several wondered if she was worthy of the nod which included predecessors such as Brigitte Bardot and model Ines De La Fressange.
but her realness is perhaps her greatest appeal, and she defends her curves and imperfections for the same reasons, a worthy bit of self confidence by the 'shy' woman that many of her American peers in the entertainment industry should take example with.
Child:
Between 18-19 October 2001 Laetitia got her first child together with her boyfriend Stephane Sednaoui. They got a beautiful girl and gave her the name Sahteene.
Laetitia keeps her family life very private to give her daughter a normal grow up. There have been and still are very few pictures on the net of Sahteene or Stephane. At least here are some, probably taken by a paparazzi photographer in Paris, September 2002. On the pictures you can watch a happy mother and a young nearly one year old and happy daughter. Really nice pictures.
Laetitia.Perfect.
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The quintesentially TIMELESS look of Laetitia Casta.
The Lovely Laetitia Casta, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Where beauty knows no bounds.