(Cover) - EN Star Style - Karen Elson is thankful people called her a freak in her early career as it changed everything.

The British supermodel-turned-singer and partner of rock star Jack White is one of fashions best-loved faces, having worked for top labels such as Jean-Paul Gaultier, Chanel and Dolce & Gabbana.

The 31-year-old beauty shocked fashion journalists when she burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old sporting shaved eyebrows, a blunt haircut and bright red hair, although Karen is pleased she caused such a stir as it catapulted her to fame and saw a dawn of edgier models.

It was all, You're the freak! You're the freak! She's weird, she doesn't look normal. She's ugly, recalled Karen in an interview with Telegraph.co.uk.

But thank God that all happened, because it changed everything!

Karen found the constant focus on her unusual appearance baffling, and never knew how to respond when journalists quizzed her on her looks. The star admits she was more concerned with having fun than fretting about how she was perceived.

I'd be backstage and every journalist would ask, You're a freak; how does it feel? And I'd be like, I'm 18, I don't know how it feels. Can I just go and smoke a cigarette, please? she added. (C) Cover Media