18th January 2012

Lancôme has signed its first Muslim model - the 22-year-old Tunisian, Hanaa Ben Abdesslem - as a global face. The brand features Hanaa, who debuted as a model in Vivienne Westwood's spring 2011 runway show and broke out a few months later after cropping her hair for Givenchy. She has since modeled in New York and Paris fashion weeks for Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Hermes, Jean Paul Gaultier, Giambattista Valli, Givenchy and Ralph Lauren.

She told New York Magazine, "People in Tunisia have this misconception of what modeling is about. Modeling can be a career choice, too. I plan to change this misconception within my culture. I met an Arab woman, Sophie Galal, who shared my views and ideas about changing and exposing the true challenges of the modeling profession for the Arab world. She soon became my manager and presented me to IMG."

As the first Muslim to represent the brand, Hanaa will star in the new campaign for Teint Idole Ultra 24 hour Foundation which will be available on 1st February in 18 shades.