Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung (born 5 November 1983) is a British television presenter, model, internet personality, writer, and fashion designer. She wrote the book It (2013). Her fashion label Alexa Chung, stylized alexachung, launched in May 2017 and closed in 2022.

Earlr life

Chung was born in Winchester, Hampshire, England, the daughter of Gillian and Phillip Chung. Her father is of mostly Chinese descent, while her mother is of English descent. Growing up she had a pony and took dancing classes. Chung attended secondary state school at the local Perins School and spent sixth form at Peter Symonds College, Winchester. She was accepted at King’s College London to study English and Chelsea College of Arts to study art, but at the age of 16 was scouted by a modelling agency at the Reading Festival before attending.

Careee

Chung was scouted after being seen in the comedy tent at the Reading Festival at the age of 16. She modelled for teen magazines, such as Elle Girl and CosmoGIRL!, and worked for companies including Fanta, Sony Ericsson, Sunsilk, Urban Outfitters, and Tampax. She appeared in music videos for artists including the Streets, Westlife, Delta Goodrem, Reuben and Holly Valance and starred as Jake in a scripted reality show called Shoot Me, broadcast on Fashion TV in 2005. After four years, Chung quit modelling with the intention of beginning an art foundation or fashion journalism course, having become disillusioned. She had developed a “distorted body image” and “low self-esteem” through modelling.

Personal life

Chung lived with fashion photographer David Titlow, twenty years her senior, for three and a half years from 2003 to 2006. She was in a four-year relationship with Arctic Monkeys frontman Alex Turner from July 2007 until July 2011; they lived together in London and later in New York where Chung purchased an apartment in the East Village. In a 2013 interview, Chung stated that Turner remained her “best friend.” The former couple were seen together on a number of occasions in 2014. She dated actor Alexander Skarsgård from 2015 to early 2017. In 2016, she returned to London to launch a clothing label.

In an Instagram post on 28 July 2020, Chung revealed her endometriosis diagnosis and urged more awareness on the disorder.