A model labelled ‘the world’s most beautiful girl’, who previously took the world by storm aged six, is actually the daughter of a former Premier League star.
Thylane Blondeau, who is now 24 years old, shot to fame as a youngster after she was discovered by the legendary fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
In 2006, her cover photo for Vogue Enfants saw her lauded with praise by readers, and she has since embarked on a successful journey in the modelling industry.
In the two decades since, Thylane has worked for some of the biggest couture brands in the world, including Dolce & Gabbana, L’Oreal Paris, Versace, Ralph Lauren, and Hugo Boss.
While the French model may now be famous in her own right, she was not the first Blondeau to be thrust into the spotlight during her younger years.
Thylane is, in fact, the daughter of former French international football player Patrick Blondeau, who spent six months in the English top flight back in the 1990s.
Ex-child model Thylane Blondeau was called the ‘most beautiful in the world’ when she was six
Now 24, she has modelled for some of the world’s biggest brands, including Dolce & Gabbana
Thylane is the daughter of former France and Sheffield Wednesday star Patrick Blondeau
The midfielder’s short period in the Premier League didn’t quite reach the levels of success of his daughter’s current modelling career though, as he managed just six appearances in the division.
Blondeau had signed for Sheffield Wednesday following an eight-year spell at Monaco, where he won the Ligue 1 title in the 1996-97 season.
However, despite playing a major role for the Principality club in their title-winning side, his form didn’t carry over into England.
The Frenchman, who notched up two caps for his country, did return three years later to play for Watford in the First Division – now known as the Championship – following the birth of his daughter Thylane.
However, once again, the midfielder would not stay long, and after just one season, he would return to France, where Thylane would make a name for herself as a young model.
Blondeau, who boasts 6.9 million followers on Instagram, was a toddler when an agent for Gaultier insisted she model for the designer the following day.
The opportunity meant the world of fashion rolled out the red carpet for Blondeau, who appeared in French Vogue as part of a controversial 2010 fashion spread titled ‘Quel Maquillage à Quel Âge?’ or, in English, ‘What Makeup at What Age?’
Blondeau, then only 10, was dressed in a low-cut gold dress and heels, shooting the camera a sultry gaze, as the images sparked backlash for ‘sexualising’ the pre-teen. Her mother, Veronika, a TV presenter, defended the cover at the time.
Blondeau also played for Watford in the Championship in 2001, months after Thylane was born
Thylane shot to fame in her youth and was discovered by fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier
These days she models her wardrobe and gives fans glimpses of her dog as well as her red-carpet looks and luxury holidays
Paris-based Blondeau has, since, fronted prestigious ad campaigns while also juggling her role as a fashion and beauty entrepreneur, with a social circle comprising of nepo babies and supermodels.
In February 2017, Thylane made her adult runway debut when she walked for Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week. The debut was such a success that the designer duo invited her back to walk for them again in September 2017.
Blondeau was also chosen as a brand ambassador for L’Oréal and named the face of a perfume by French designer Lolita Lempicka.
She shared screen space with Zendaya, Lucky Blue Smith, and Presley Gerber when Blondeau was chosen to be a part of Dolce & Gabbana’s Spring 2017 campaign.
Since she earned worldwide fame as the world’s most beautiful girl, Blondea has mingled with the creme de la creme of the industry, including Jourdan Dunn and Gigi Hadidi, as well as famous nepo babies like Brooklyn Beckham, who used to live next door to her in the exclusive London neighborhood of Kensington.
Today, she juggles her career as a model and social media influencer with her role as an entrepreneur.
