Scandinavian beauty May Andersen began modeling in Denmark during her
early teens. With her striking looks and upbeat personality, she was soon
working in Europe's elite fashion capitals.
By the age of 17, May was already a veteran of runway shows by top designers
like Gianfranco Ferre, Christian Lacroix, Prada, and Ralph Lauren. She has also
been featured in many major photo campaigns, and has graced the covers of all
the top fashion magazines.
Lykke "May" Andersen was born in Copenhagen (Rigs), Denmark on June 16, 1982.
She hoped to be a singer, and started taking vocal lessons before a chance
meeting dramatically altered her career path. A photographer spotted her on a
Copenhagen street when she was 13 years old, and convinced her and her parents
that she had a good shot at becoming a successful model.
May was signed by the IMG agency and after initial work in her homeland, she was
soon walking the runways of Europe. Early in her international career, she
worked extensively with Italian designers. The list includes such houses as
GFF-Gianfranco Ferre, Valentino and Miu Miu, who selected her for its
Spring/Summer 1999 campaigns, and BCBG, Capucine Puerari, Prada, and Alberta
Ferretti's Philosophy for the Fall/Winter collections of '99-2000.
In addition to her catwalk appearances for the Italian houses of design, May was
also regularly seen in the pages of Italian fashion revues like La Repubblica
delle Donne, and the Italian editions of Elle and Vogue. She
appeared on the cover of the April '99 issue of Glamour Italia and
Marie Claire Italia's May '99 edition.
After signing with the prestigious Elite model agency, May had representation in
Milan, Paris and New York. Outside of Italy, she's strolled the runways for
ready-to-wear collections by top designers like Alexander McQueen, Betsey
Johnson, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, John Galliano, DKNY, Dolce & Gabbana and Yves
Saint Laurent. Some of the haute couture collections she's graced the catwalk
for include Chanel, Christian Dior and Ocimar Versolato.
May relocated to New York City in 2000 and was hospitalized later that same year
after being involved in a car accident with a garbage truck in Manhattan. She
suffered a fractured pelvis and lesions to one of her legs, and fortunately made
a complete recovery. She sued the City of New York and received a reported
$15 million in compensation.
She suffered another incident during Paris' Fashion Week 2003. While out
sightseeing with model Devon Aoki, the pair was attacked by a man who sprayed
them in the face with tear gas.
May's profile increased enormously after she was featured in Sports
Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue in 2003. The magazine's website incorrectly
spelt her last name as Anderson instead of Andersen, an error which was
rectified for her second consecutive appearance in 2004.
To promote that tradition's 40th Anniversary, May made the rounds of talk shows
in the spring, appearing on Good Morning America, CNBC's The Big Idea
and The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn. She also returned to Denmark
for Scandinavia's Fashion Week, and contributed her time and energy to various
charitable projects in her native land.
note: special thanks and credits to AskMen
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