Model Georgina Cooper, the Face of Cool Britannia, Dies at 46

LONDON — British model Georgina Cooper has passed away at the age of 46.

The model's friends, Jade Parfitt and Erin O'Connor, confirmed her passing on Instagram.

An insider revealed that the model passed away on the Greek island of Kos, having experienced a brain hemorrhage linked to complications from long COVID.

Cooper, famous for her distinctive Cool Britannia style and her gap-toothed smile, rose to prominence in the fashion world of the 1990s. She gained attention by gracing the cover of The Face magazine, captured by photographer Elaine Constantine, and frequently walked the runways for notable designers such as Helmut Lang, Giorgio Armani, Calvin Klein, and Hussein Chalayan.

"She had a natural charm that made her very approachable, one of those models who stayed true to who she was. Her authenticity attracted everyone around her. Despite her significant achievements in the industry, she never acted superior. Her vibrant energy was contagious. You couldn't help but be drawn to her backstage because you knew talking to her would be a blast," shared Parfitt, the founder of the Bath Fashion Festival, during a phone conversation.

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At the age of 13, Cooper's mother signed her up for the Elite Look of the Year competition in 1992, where she finished in third place.

She was subsequently signed by Premier Model Management, the agency led by former model Carole White, who served as Naomi Campbell's agent during that period.

In the 1990s, the agency represented iconic supermodels such as Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista, Claudia Schiffer, and Christy Turlington.

“She just showed up and brought such a lively energy. When she was younger, she earned a lot and had a bold, unconventional vibe that really fit the era. Everyone was captivated by her gap-toothed smile,” White remembered.

At the age of 15, Cooper began collaborating with the late celebrated photographer Corinne Day. He was part of a group of models in London that featured names like Parfitt, O’Connor, and Kate Moss, known for their stylish and edgy vibe.

In her documentary "Diary," the photographer shares that she sent in three pictures of Georgina. One featured her in a striking black dress with bat-like sleeves, another showcased her in a bold, '80s style outfit, and there was also a portrait of her wearing a Judas Priest T-shirt. When these images were published in Ray Gun, Georgina reached out to thank me because people were finally paying attention to her. I felt happy for her because Georgina is truly a sincere and real person.

During a conversation with The Cultural Omnivore, Cooper shared that Day was quite fond of his appearance, especially the space between his teeth, and appreciated his character as well. The next week, they had their initial photoshoot for Ray Gun magazine.

"I was very young back then and didn't truly grasp the impact of our work until I grew older. It was only later, when people began to praise our collaboration, that I realized its significance," she continued.

Cooper later appeared in photo shoots for American and British Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar in the U.S., i-D Magazine, and special magazine sections of British newspapers, including The Guardian’s Observer Magazine.

Experienced fashion stylist and ex-editor of Elle U.K., Anne-Marie Curtis, reflected on the model's vibrant personality, describing her as full of "unfiltered energy" and "absolutely funny — she never held back and always spoke her mind."

"She definitely went against the trend, bringing a refreshing perspective and was truly an exceptional model," she said.

Karl Plewka, who was a fashion stylist in the 1990s and later founded the magazine Beauty Papers, encountered the model while collaborating with Day. He characterized her as a blend between the "heroin chic" look and the girl-next-door vibe.

"He mentioned that she was the kind of model who could easily transition between Corinne's realm and participate in a photo shoot with Lauren Hutton for American Vogue," which she accomplished in the April 1999 edition.

"She had an old-fashioned vibe, like she belonged to the '70s," Plewka said.

Cooper had a vibrant personality and a remarkable dedication to her work, as noted by those who knew her.

“Georgina handled everything effortlessly, never making a big deal out of anything. She saw herself as just a fortunate girl from South London, but she was truly so much more,” Plewka remarked.

"It’s been incredible since I shared my thoughts about Georgina; so many models have reached out to me to discuss her," Parfitt mentioned.

The duo graced the cover of the January 2002 edition of British Vogue, photographed by Mario Testino, alongside several other British models such as the late Stella Tennant, Kate Moss, Elizabeth Jagger, Alek Wek, and others.

"Out of all the models from around the globe, we selected an English girl who truly had character. Georgina showcased a unique perspective on life," Testino remarked.

“It truly felt like a close-knit team and a genuine sisterhood. The media often tried to create rivalry among the models, but honestly, that didn’t reflect our atmosphere at all. We were there to support one another,” Parfitt shared.

Designer Markus Lupfer expressed that Cooper’s “joyful energy turned every runway into a festive occasion” and highlighted her ability to bring smiles to those around her, both during shows and outside of them. He added, “We will truly miss her vibrant spirit, unique style, kindness, and enthusiasm.”

"Georgina, you were such a wonderfully kind and humorous person. We all cherished and respected you deeply for the warmth, generosity, and playful spirit you shared with everyone. Even though many years have gone by since our little '90s Brittannia group spent time together in the wild time we called 'show season,' you have always stood out in my memory for being authentic and proud of who you were," O’Connor wrote on Instagram.

Cooper left the fashion world in the early 2000s after having her son, Sonny. She then became a midwife before switching to a career in the hospitality sector.

"I attempted to keep up with my modeling career, but it was really painful to leave him for work. I concentrated on modeling jobs in London, but I found myself at a turning point in my life. Ultimately, I chose to prioritize Sonny," she shared with The Cultural Omnivore.

The model, who hails from South London, moved to Bearsted in Kent to start a fresh chapter in her life after her fashion career. According to her Facebook page, she found a job at Fox & Goose, a chain of pubs across the UK.

Cooper's rebellious spirit distinguished her from the rest. She never conformed to the masses.

“I believe her time in the fashion world was truly remarkable since she’s still on everyone’s minds and being discussed today. Working with her on set was always enjoyable — she might have been a bit challenging to manage, but you could always count on her to deliver,” Curtis remarked.