Charlotte Dutton is unique
Charlotte a native of Ealing, west London has carved out an impressive place for herself in two high profile worlds. Charlotte mixes being a pro snowboarder and coach, with being a high profile London fashion model.
Perhaps the best place to watch Charlotte in action is to see her launch herself off some of Europe and America's highest mountaintops and commit to some spectacular high-speed jumps. A specialist Half-Pipe rider, who has also competed across all boarding disciplines, including Border X, Charlotte takes the toughest challenges in her stride.
If however, you want to catch her in the summer months you are likely to have to attend fashion shoots in London, Paris or Milan.
She began snowboarding at the age of 11 on a family skiing holiday, and after that she took every chance she could to practice her skills. She made rapid progress through the ranks of UK boarders and at the age of 16, during the Junior World Championships in Japan, she was spotted by the legendary US snowboard coach Scott Palmer, who offered her the rare opportunity to attend the famous Stratton Mountain School in Vermont - she jumped at the chance.
The coach's eye and Charlotte's hard work were rewarded later that year, when Charlotte became the first Brit ever to win prize money at the US Open. The following season at the Junior World Championships, against more experienced opponents, Charlotte achieved 4th place in the half-pipe, the best ever placing for a British athlete. Also that year she won the British Junior Championships in Half-Pipe, Border X and Giant Slalom, as well as finishing second in the British Seniors Championship.
Charlotte won the US National Junior Slalom, represented Britain for 5 seasons, competed on three World Cup Tours and pulled off numerous race and competition wins. Despite her slight frame she has developed a reputation as a fast and fearless competitor.
Her standing in the sport is reflected by the strength of her personal sponsors, Volcom (clothing), Palmer Snowboards, Drake (bindings) and Northwave (boots).
She began modelling after a chance meeting in a London street and soon became the face of a year long Vidal Sassoon campaign. Since then, she has appeared on dozens of magazine covers, and has worked for the likes of Jean Paul Gaultier and Dolce Gabbana, fronted campaigns for TopShop, Diesel, Samsung, O'Neill, Tiret and Pretty Polly amongst others, as well as continuing to compete at the highest level in her chosen sport.
Charlotte has also sat for David Bailey as a subjest for one of his recent book and has also been photographed by Rankin and Tesh.
Perhaps though, the thing that surprises you most when you meet Charlotte, is that she is unaffected by the trappings of being a professional athlete and top-flight model. She is refreshingly down- to-earth, approachable, and easy going.
