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Charlotte Dutton - Former World Cup Snowboarder and Model
Charlotte mixes being a pro snowboarder and coach, with being a high profile London fashion model. She began snowboarding at the age of 11 on a family skiing holiday, and after that she took every opportunity to practice. At just 16 having made rapid progress through the ranks of UK boarders she was spotted whilst taking part in the Junior World Championships in Japan, by the legendary US snowboard coach Scott Palmer, who offered her the rare opportunity to attend the famous Stratton Mountain School in Vermont - she jumped at the chance.
With hard work and determination she was rewarded later that year, becoming the first Brit ever to win prize money at the US Open. The following season at the Junior World Championships, against more experienced opponents, Charlotte achieved 4th place in the half-pipe, the best ever placing for a British athlete. Also that year she won the British Junior Championships in Half-Pipe, Border X and Giant Slalom, as well as finishing second in the British Seniors Championship.
Charlotte won the US National Junior Slalom, represented Britain for 5 seasons, competed on three World Cup Tours and pulled off numerous race and competition wins.
After a chance meeting in Camden, London Charlotte began modelling and soon became the face of a year long Vidal Sassoon campaign. She has appeared on dozens of magazine covers, and has worked with top designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier and Dolce Gabbana, fronted campaigns for Topshop, Diesel, Samsung, O'Neill, Tiret and Pretty Polly amongst others, as well as continuing to compete at the highest level in her chosen sport.
Inspired by 3 years of success with her sell-out signature range 'MOTO SNO' for Topshop, Charlotte decided to create a new clothing brand of her own, and so the idea for Misticon was born.
Perhaps though, the thing that surprises you most when you meet Charlotte, is that she is unaffected by the trappings of being a professional athlete and top-flight model. She is refreshingly down- to-earth, approachable, and easy going.
Q - What was your background? – How did you get into snowboarding? Charlotte - I got into snowboarding at age 11 on a family holiday in the French Alps. When I got back, I carry on at the local dry ski slope. I used to go twice a week and every day during the school holidays. After a few competitions I was scouted to go to Snowboard School in America...
Q - You have won lots of Snowboarding competitions what was it like winning? Charlotte -Winning is great! It's human nature to want to win it. I'm in it to win it with everything!
Q - You’ve turned professional so are you still involved in competitions? Charlotte -I'd love to be competing right now, but at the moment I'm busy creating Misticon's spring/summer 2010 range.
Q - How do you keep fit – do you still train? Charlotte -When I was competing I had to be strong and work out a lot. Nowadays, I'm just like everyone else. Staying healthy and doing a big here and there. Walking to all my business meetings keeps me quite fit. Ha-ha!
Q - You are also a Model – when did you start this and who have you modeled for? Charlotte -I started modeling at age 14, but got fully into it at 16 doing it full time. I've done lots of magazines over the years and I did the campaigns for Diesel Jeans, Pretty Polly, Tiret, O'Niel, Topshop, and Vidal Sassoon. I loved doing catwalks shows like Jean Paul Gautier, Jean Pierre Braganza, Escada and Fashion TV.
Q - I believe you have your own clothing range – Misticon a range of daywear for women– how did you get into this and why women’s clothing? Charlotte -I love fashion. Daywear for women is something that everyone wears, unfortunately for us, no one makes comfortable yet fashionable and fun clothing. I was so tired of having to have two wardrobes, one for my Athletic life and one for my Fashion life. I wanted to make functional fashion for all occasions! I started out with a sell out range for Topshop, and with that training I started my own company; Misticon which is launching in February.
Q - Do you have any plans to expand the range? Charlotte -It expands a little every season. At the moment, I'm working on Bikinis for Summer 2010. I've also done some nice fashion pieces like satin jumpsuits and dresses along with my gym wear and ski/snowboard suits. My range is for all women who lead bionic lifestyles and have loads of fun!
Q - What do you like best the snowboarding, modelling or having your own clothing range? Charlotte -I love all three. I'd never choose!
Q - They are all demanding jobs how do fit them all in? Charlotte -I just prioritize and have a good team of people around me to keep me in line. Ha-ha!
Q - Do you have a role model/s? If you do who are they? Charlotte -I like strong women who have gotten off their arses and realized they can do whatever they want to do and are doing it - those are my role models. I don't tend to look to famous people; I look to people in my own life who eventually become my mentors.
Q - Are you still ambitious - if yes - what are these ambitions? Charlotte -I'll always be ambitious!!! As for my next ambition; it's a secret!
Q - What is your proudest moment? Charlotte -Most recently, my proudest moment was seeing my hard work in the form of my new Misticon range.
Q - What do you enjoy most? Charlotte -Living my life! It's good fun!
Q - What next? Charlotte -The world, baby!
If you would like more information on Charlotte's new clothing Line go to www.misticon.com
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