SHE might have found fame on the ITV2 reality show but Lauren Pope is proving to be a serious force in the fashion world.
HOT: Lauren Pope debuts new stripped back beauty look [PH]
Lauren's style - sleek pastel pencil skirts, colouful fur jackets and pretty blouses - is so coveted that she now keeps an online style diary, sharing her best looks with her 1.1m (and counting) Twitter followers.
The glossy haired star's looks have become so envied that Jeetendr Sehdev, a celebrity branding expert and University of Southern California marketing professor, believes she has more influence in the fashion industry than Kate Middleton.
Jeetendr revealed: "Style icons today have to be enormously sexy and they have to have a great sense of style and fashion and flair and individuality and they also have to be dressing for themselves and not others."
As Lauren prepares to launch her latest venture - an accessory line with Accessoryo - we meet up to talk Kate Middleton, blogging and ditching the slap.
How did it feel to be voted more fashionable than the future queen?
Pretty amazing, isn't it? What a surreal moment.
Do you like how the Duchess of Cambridge dresses?
She's not someone I look to for style inspiration as she's very different to how I dress but I know she has a massive impact on clothes sales. If she wears a certain look it sells out instantly. To even be associated with someone like that is amazing.
STYLE: The 32-year-old looks to Nicole Richie and Kate Bosworth for style inspiration [PH]
I haven't but I'd love to. I'd kit her out with some hair extensions, an outfit, some accessories and then send her on her way [laughs].
Who are your fashion icons?
I love fashion bloggers. On Instagram I follow loads of street style photographers. Celebrity wise I love Nicole Richie, she pulls everything off with such a cool twist. I love Kate Bosworth too, she's good for a bohemian vibe.
How has your personal style changed over the years?
When I was in my 20s I probably didn't have the confidence I have now I'm 32. Back then I tended to dress to please the opposite sex rather than myself. When you're younger, that's how you think. As you get older you don't care. I've got more confidence. I get more of a kick if a woman like my outfit now than if a guy does.
Do you look back and cringe at past outfits?
Oh god yeah, definitely [laughs]. All the time. You can't escape old pictures. But I just look back and laugh. It felt right at the time.
How do you plan your looks?
If there's a statement piece I like I plan stuff around that. In my head I'm always pulling outfits together. I keep a style diary for inspiration.
PRETTY: Critics say Lauren has more influence on fashion than Kate Middleton [PH]
Amazing! It's great when celebrities wear your stuff. But the biggest buzz I get is when people come up to me in the street and tell me they're wearing them. That's a surreal but amazing feeling.
Have you met Cheryl?
I haven't but I'd love to. I've always been a fan. I love her style. She's very good at looking perfectly polished but I don't think I can pull that off.
The TOWIE girls are very polished.
I don't think it suits me. I actually prefer my hair to look a bit more relaxed. Not everyone can go for a blow-dry twice a week. With my face shape I feel more confident natural.
Tell us about your first accessory collection that you've launched with Accessoryo.
Accessoryo is a brand I've worn previously so we've built up a good relationship. I've created a 26-piece collection that launches in February. It's a mix of sunglasses, hats, bags and jewellery. It's all really affordable, the most expensive thing is £60.
Is it trend led?
Yeah. Seventies fashion is big for spring summer 2015 so we've incorporated lots of fringing, suede and floppy hats.
You looked really stripped back in the campaign shots.
Basically, I'm not wearing any make-up [Laughs]. It's really stripped back. We tried to give it a high-end feel even though it's affordable products. We want to show that something that's cheap can still look really amazing. It's got quite a 70s, ethereal feel. Clothing wise it's amazing.
Is going make-up free in front of the camera scary?
It was alright. Last year I signed with Elite Models, they've had me on test shoots where it's similar styling. I've never had a typical TOWIE look. I like to look a bit different.
SEXY: Lauren says a 'polished' look doesn't really suit her [PH]
It has its ups and downs, which everyone gets to see. As awful as the downs are at the time, I think that's the time people really get to know you. It's good for viewers to see that everyone gets dumped and humiliated at some point. I guess it shows we're all human.
Are you portrayed fairly?
Yeah. I think the drama can take over. My day-to-day life isn't full of that drama. My friendship group away from TOWIE is really fun.
Are you dating at the moment?
I'm not, no. I don't even know how I'd find the time to meet a guy. It's nice when you are in a relationship with the right person. I had a few stresses men wise last year. All the stress and anxiety that comes into my life is from a man. I've tried to eliminate that for a few months. But if the right person comes along, great.
You started your career as a glamour model. Do you support Page 3?
I do. I started everything with the Daily Star after entering a competition that you guys had years ago. I did a shoot with Jeannie Savage and it all went on from there. I think it's an English tradition. I don't think it's a negative thing.
How old were you when you did it?
I was 18. It gave me a great time during my 20s. For me it was my career - some people probably wouldn't say it was - but I would. It gave me a great income and led on to everything that has happened. I was always realistic that it wasn't my end goal. It was a stepping stone. I know so many Page 3 girls who are doing amazingly well now. They've got amazing jobs, families and they're doing really well.
