Irina Lazareanu (born 8 June 1982) is a Canadian supermodel. A refugee from Romania, she was formerly the drummer for the U.K. band Babyshambles. Through her acquaintance with supermodel Kate Moss (who at the time was the girlfriend of notoriously drug-troubled Pete Doherty), Lazareanu got her ‘big break’. Moss personally handpicked Lazareanu to model for the December/January issue of Vogue: Paris, which she was a guest editor on. Lazareanu has since become an increasingly popular fashion model, breaking the record for most runway work in one season.
Lazareanu is known for her quirky, vintage-inspired style - which has arguably contributed to the rise of her modelling career. Michelle McCool (of Cosmopolitan magazine) laments that "(Irina) has a great rock'n'roll vibe. It's all about the hair and her flatness. I love that she has no boobs". Lazareanu if often described as having a distinctive look, as Emmanuelle Alt of Vogue Paris adds; "On the runway, no matter what, she cannot be transformed. She always has her unique look and style". As a result of her striking features and rock'n'roll semblance, Lazareanu has developed the status of 'official muse' to designers Nicolas Ghesquière (of Balenciaga) and Karl Lagerfeld (of Chanel) - with whom she shot the Chanel Cruise campaign.
She has modeled for many top designers, including Chanel, Balenciaga, Alexander McQueen, Anna Sui, Lanvin, Versace, and many more.
Not only being the drummer for the band Babyshambles, Lazareanu reportedly helped Pete Doherty write the song "La Belle et la Bête" which featured Kate Moss on the Babyshambles' Down in Albion album.
She is currently recording a folk album, entitled "Some Place Along the Way", which musician Sean Lennon is producer and collaborator on. They have recorded a duet called "Strange Places", which has not yet been released, however was previewed on a Fashion TV profile, which aired earlier in 2006. Her album was to be released in September 2006 however it has been delayed as a result of her demanding modelling career. Lazareanu has said (in an interview with Nylon magazine) that "My music isn't commercial...I just want to learn from people and do the best I can do" and cites Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Leonard Cohen and Joan Baez as her musical influences.