Daily Style Phile: Erin Wasson Is Rough Around Her Beautiful Edges

[Erin Wasson in her signature cut-off jean shorts. Photo via Lalila] It's not any secret that my obsession with learning how to surf is exponentially growing as summer goes on and has pretty much reached an all time high since the weather has turned to blue skies. So although it may seem odd to choose an already established model as our choice for a Daily Style Phile. since we tend to bring you emerging and upcoming names, there is solid reasoning behind choosing model and surf-fan Erin Wasson.

While she may be no Cindy Crawford or Naomi Campbell, she has graced the covers of four International versions of Vogue, walked runways for some of the biggest names in fashion, and at the age of 27, her career isn't even nearing an end anytime soon. Amongst other ventures, she's just launched her own womenswear collection this past Spring '09, called Erin Wasson x RVCA, in collaboration with the surf and skate brand RVCA. Considering Erin Wasson's wardrobe, if the clothes are as as functional as she is stylish, I know what I'll be wearing when I get on a board this weekend.

Indisputably beautiful, the 5'10", blue-eyed Texan of Irish descent won the Kim Dawson Model Search in 1999, and found herself on the Spring runways in Paris and Milan by September of 2000. She hit the ground running, doing shows for Balenciaga, Givenchy and Costume National, to name a few. In less than a year, photographers like Mario Testino were requesting her specifically and she was landing international covers for Numero and VOGUE. Testino is not the only photographer that became enamored with her; Patrick Demarchelier and Steven Meisel also became fans, shooting her on other occasions. In her career that is approaching the 9 year mark, Erin has been the face for everyone from Armani to Michael Kors, a Victoria's Secret angel, a commercial girl for Maybelline, and a muse to Alexander Wang. But being a successful model alone hasn't been enough for the ambitious Wasson.

"I have too much going on in my brain to just be a face, an image without a voice behind it" - Elle.com

Wasson tried her hand at some light acting in a multimedia campaign for Justin Timberlake's clothing line William Rast in fall '08, where she played the role of "Birdie", opposite of him. The campaign was made up of not only photo advertisements but a series of short films. An easy transition for her, it was still a switch from her normal role behind the camera. Along with modeling, Erin also serves as a stylist - no surprise there, as her amazing personal style is one that is praised and often imitated, despite it's quirks and eccentricities. Alexander Wang used Wasson, his muse, as a stylist for two seasons. Along with model, actress, and stylist, Erin can add jewelry designer to her resume; In the Spring of 2008, she came out with her own line called LowLuv, which is a collection of pricey neck and body chains. Now, after her RVCA surf and skate collection, she'll also be able to tack fashion designer on to that. Looks like she takes the "model slash" role to a whole new level.

Besides her love of jean shorts (and how damn good she looks in them), all things Wang, chains, and minimalistic style and basic colors, there are other reasons we lap up everything that has to do with Erin Wasson. She's that naturally beautiful girl who let's her freckles rage after a day of surfing or snowboarding, loves basketball, and while she fits in perfectly in every fashion party in New York City, has to keep her beach house in Cali due to her love of surf, sand, and relaxation. Her favorite place in NYC? No, it's not a nightclub or a fancy restaurant, but Far Rockaway Beach (the collaboration with RVCA is probably making more and more sense to you now).

[Photo from WhoWhatWear]

But what REALLY got us loving Erin Wasson was the crazy, over the top thing she did this past March that had everyone rubbing their heads and raising their eyebrows. Wasson decided to empty out her closet in LA for charity and basically sell... everything. While many people do similar acts, she took it a step further, pricing all of her fabulous Alexander Wang and Costume National for under $100, and calling it a "garage sale". Besides the whole charity angle, Wasson said her perfect closet is “a rolling rack and it’s like your four T-shirts, your five dresses, your two pairs of jeans,” which she says is “very Japanese”. So next time you see me out in the same old frock  I'm just going to claim I'm in an "Erin Wasson state-of-mind". Hey, if a super model can do it, it's worth a try.

[RVCA featured in VOGUE. Photo via EmpireAve]