Karen Elson (born 14 January 1979 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, England) is a British model and singer. Her trademarks are her red hair and her eyebrows, which fashion photographer Steven Meisel once persuaded her to shave off. Elson has walked the runways of many top fashion designers including Marc Jacobs (which she did while pregnant), Jean-Paul Gaultier, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana and Versace. She has appeared in international campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Christian Dior, Burberry and Chanel, to name a small number. She has also been on the covers of many international magazines such as Vogue, W, Dazed & Confused, Numéro, Marie Claire, Elle, and others. In 1998 she won model of the year at the VH1 fashion awards (the year after Kate Moss won). In 2005, Elson won the British Fashion Award for Best Model, over fellow catwalkers Lily Donaldson and Danny Beauchamp.