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Would 2008's 'it' girl please step forward?

Written by Daniel P Dykes

Kate Moss' blow glow has faded.

Gisele Bundchen has Victoria's Secret well behind her, though her shoot for V magazine has done her no harm.

So here we are, more than half way through 2008 and I'm still left wonder: who in God's name is this year's 'it' girl?

Last year was easy.

We had her given to us on a silver platter. Kate Moss, basking in success like no model has ever known it, just couldn't put a foot wrong. And it meant that I could start the year giving her a title greater than 'it girl'; hypermodel. Setting fashion trends on an almost daily basis, ensuring that the fringe would be popular in 2008, Moss eclipsed other supermodels and became a super brand of her own. No one has come close to being able to single-handedly increase the fortunes of any company. And she didn't even need to get her top off.

But that was then.

This year, she's left looking a little worse for wear. Her relationship with Pete Doherty did something to remove the shine. But, as much as it pains me to admit it, we're all ageing and using baby oil to achieve a tan has done Moss no favours.

And who has stepped up to replace her?

No one. Despite flagging popularity, no one has stepped up to truly take the 'it girl' title from Kate Moss. No one has even come close. But always eager to spot the next big thing, whether it's a look or person, I've eagerly anticipated it. And devoid of a real winner, here are my tips for who might just win it.

An 'it girl' in 2008?

Natasha Poly
The Russian supermodel is no where near hypermodel status (not even Gisele has come close) but by God can she sell clothing. It's not that she sets trends, but instead it's her innocuous ability to add a hefty injection of 'sex kitten' into everything she wears that helps move product - and brings her to our attention. Having permanently imprinted herself on my retinas by way of her group and solo Vogue Paris June/July 2008 editorials, I can't but concede that Poly is the brightest burning model of the moment.

Diane Kruger
As I started off 2007 by labelling Kate Moss a hypermodel, so too did I start off by labelling Diane Kruger the year's 'it girl' back in February 2008. And yet, I never hit publish. You see, she had been featuring across Fashionising so many times that it seemed the title was inevitably hers. And then she disappeared, and for a sometime the paparazzi didn't even seem interested in her. But now in July she's back, and back on my contenders list.

Daisy Lowe
There's something I really like about Daisy - it's the mix of a laid back demeanour with an obvious confidence. But as hot as I think she is, and no matter how much her profile continues to rise, I'm not entirely sure that the rest of the world will be as eager to love her as much as the UK based media who have labelled her the 'British it girl'. Will her pedigree (her mother's a fashion and textiles designer) hamper her, or just mean she'll get on with greater ease?

The girl with the blog
No, I'm not being as wanky as Time when they labelled YOU (me?) person of the year. Rather, I'm wondering if this year's lack of an obvious 'it girl' actually comes down to the fact that she might already have the title, but she mightn't be famous for it. What if she was actually just influential? So add to my list the bevvy of fashion forward, female bloggers out there who type away at their keyboards on a daily basis, keeping us all in the loop of what's new in the fashion world by way of their fashion blogs. You might not see them in everything they blog about, but they're certainly influencing the year's trends and looks far more than most. Tania: the 'it girl' title may yet be yours.

Written: 20th July 2008 at 18.52