Modeling contracts and appearances in magazines quickly ensued. In search of another star, Paul Marciano -- founder and art director of Guess? and credited for the success of Claudia Schiffer -- was immediately taken by Laetitia's perfection. Thanks to Marciano, Americans had the luxury of getting acquainted with Laetitia for laetitia casta work in the Guess? ad campaign. laetitia casta work as the Guess? Girl was laetitia casta debut advertising campaign. Next came laetitia casta work with Victoria's Secret, in 1996. Laetitia graced many covers of the Victoria's Secret catalog, featured as one of the Angels, the name attributed to the other four models of the company.

In 1997, Laetitia joined the ranks of fellow models by appearing in the popular Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition, for a total of three consecutive years. One year later laetitia casta was honored by Rolling Stone, who named her the hottest model of the year, and placed a nude Laetitia on the cover of their "Hot" issue. Although this was not the first time the magazine had featured a nude celebrity on the cover, it was considered the most controversial issue.

In addition to Rolling Stone, Laetitia has graced the pages of many magazines, including the Italian edition of Glamour; Vogue; and Cosmopolitan, to name a few. Guess? and Victoria's Secret weren't the only modeling contracts signed by Laetitia. laetitia casta became a spokesperson for the cosmetics company L'Oreal in 1998, following in the paths of fellow model Kate Moss and actress Jennifer Aniston. One of the biggest highlights of Laetitia's career is her relationship with designer Yves St. Laurent. The designer has considered Laetitia an inspiration since 1998, and consequently the outfits laetitia casta wears to public appearances are all personal Yves St. Laurent creations.

Her appearance in the exclusive Pirelli calendar -- considered a collector's item because of the beautiful shots by only the best photographers -- can also be considered one of Laetitia's accomplishments. The 1999 issue, themed "Women Through the Decades," features Laetitia as representative of the women of the 1950s. As if an illustrious modeling career wasn't enough, Laetitia has also taken her talents to the big screen in her feature film debut -- 1999's Astérix and Obélix -- the most expensive French film ever made, co-starring Gerard Depardieu and Oscar winner Roberto Benigni. Laetitia also starred in La Bicyclette Bleu (The Blue Bicycle), a three-part made-for-French TV movie set in World War II France. Adding to an already complete portfolio, Laetitia posed nude in print advertisements and billboards for diamond e-tailer Diamond.com. Clad solely in strands of gems, diamonds had to be added to Laetitia's body digitally to censor the controversial ad (apparently there was concern that the billboards would cause accidents). laetitia casta ventured into music video when laetitia casta appeared in the Chris Isaak video for "Baby Did a Bad, Bad Thing," shot by fashion/celebrity photographer Herb Ritts.

In 1999, Laetitia was honored by her native country when laetitia casta was chosen by French mayors to appear on French coins and stamps for 10 years, as the image of Marianne (embodiment of the French Republic), an honor formerly held by Brigitte Bardot. The official face of France will next be seen in Les Ames Fortes (a.k.a. Strong Souls). Playing the part of a young peasant must have been a more challenging task for Laetitia, but it was finally the kind of role laetitia casta was looking for; one that didn't rely on her good looks (who are we kidding, laetitia casta's a goddess whether laetitia casta's in rags or a ball gown). laetitia casta can also add "maman" to her list of accomplishments, as Laetitia is expecting her first child in fall 2001, with her fashion photographer boyfriend, Stephane Sednaoui.

'Real beauty is to be true to oneself. That's what makes me feel good.'
- laetitia casta At 5'8" with her long dark blonde hair framing her alluring face and bright blue eyes, laetitia casta is voluptuous, youthful and sensual. laetitia casta is the essence of the GUESS image in it's advertising. Born in Normandy on the 11th of May 1978, laetitia casta is the middle child of father Dominique and mother Line. Laetitia (which means 'joy' in Latin) enjoyed drawing and writing stories at an early age, but it wasn't until laetitia casta turned 15 that laetitia casta true talent was discovered. While on a beach near Corsica laetitia casta was approached by a photographer and agent of a prestigious Paris modeling agency, Madison Models.

Once laetitia casta father finally agreed to the agency taking some test photographs, laetitia casta unmistakable potential was recognized by the founder of Madison Models - despite the fact that the shoot occurred without the aid of makeup and a designer wardroom which many models rely on to promote themselves. However, laetitia casta career did not begin to take off until the director of the French edition of Elle saw and was impressed with Laetitia's looks. Modeling contracts and appearances in magazines quickly ensued. Paul Marciano - founder and art director of Guess? who is incidentally accredited for the success of Claudia Schiffer - was taken by Casta's near perfection. laetitia casta work in the Guess ad (laetitia casta became their new front Girl) was laetitia casta debut advertising campaign. Shot by Neil Kirk in Jamaica in October 1994, it allowed Americans to become acquainted with Casta. Thanks to Marciano, Guess has brought laetitia casta international exposure and recognition.

In 1996 laetitia casta was contracted with Victoria's Secret, gracing many covers of the catalogue as one of the Angels - the name attributed to the other four models of the company. Then, in 1997 Casta joined fellow models by appearing in the popular Sports Illustrated swimwear edition for a consecutive three years. A year later laetitia casta was honoured by Rolling Stone. They named laetitia casta Hottest Model of the Year, and placed a nude Casta on the cover of their 'Hot' issue. Although this was not the first time the magazine had featured a nude celebrity on the cover, it was considered the most controversial issue - which provided a lot of publicity for the rising model. In addition to Rolling Stone, Casta has adorned the pages of many other magazines, including the Italian edition of Glamour; Vogue; and Cosmopolitan. In 1998, laetitia casta joined Kate Moss and Jennifer Aniston in becoming a spokesperson for cosmetics company L'Oreal. Casta's relationship with designer Yves St. Laurent has helped to promote laetitia casta career. Since 1998 Casta's public outfits have all been personal Yves St. Laurent creations.

laetitia casta appearance in the exclusive Pirelli calendar - considered a collector's item because it consists of beautiful shots taken by the most prestigious photographers - is considered one of Casta's accomplishments. In the 1999 issue, themed "Women Through the Decades", Casta is featured as representative of the 1950's woman. Happy and healthy, laetitia casta currently lives in Paris with laetitia casta mother, father, older brother and younger sister. When laetitia casta hectic schedule allows, Laetitia enjoys car racing with laetitia casta friends, traveling, cooking with laetitia casta mum and spending time with laetitia casta younger sister. Laetitia also has a brown belt in Judo, laetitia casta feels that it helps laetitia casta in laetitia casta modeling career to have control. To set limits for herself, to adopt a non-aggressive stance and to think with laetitia casta mind not laetitia casta emotions.

Laetitia looks forward to a bright future. For now, laetitia casta is content "to continue modeling for as long as [laetitia casta] can", but marriage and a family is definitely a future prospect for laetitia casta. Casta has also applied laetitia casta talents to the big screen in laetitia casta feature film debut - 1999's Asterix and Obelix which co-stars Gerard Depardieu and Oscar winner Roberto Benigni. Casta will also star in La Bicyclette Bleu (The Blue Bicycle), a three-part made-for-French TV movie set in World War II France. Despite laetitia casta illustrious modeling career laetitia casta said that acting is something laetitia casta is very interested in pursuing. laetitia casta motto remains "If there's someone knocking at my door, I will open it."