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Britain’s newest high-fashion model scouted at Waterstone’s

It’s every aspiring model's dream come true: to be plucked out of obscurity and become the face of a high fashion label overnight.

That’s just what happened to a teenage boy in Essex who quit his minimum wage gig at a fish shop and put his studies on hold to become the new face of Prada – after being discovered at a Waterstone’s bookshop.

Alexander Beck's life has changed dramatically since he was spotted by top fashion scout Cesar Perin while shopping in a Cambridge bookshop.

The 17-year-old who worked part time at Ocean’s Delight fish and chip shop in Essex and had no prior experience modeling was scooped up by Italian fashion house Prada to model their haute couture clothing on the catwalk at Milan fashion week.

Since his inaugural trip down the catwalk, Beck is being dubbed one of the UK’s most promising new models and has since worked for other notable labels such as YSL, Dior Louis Vuitton and modeled for Vogue magazine.

The up-and-coming fashion star said he had never considered modeling before he was spotted by the fashion scout.

'I was studying for my AS levels and working in a fish and chip shop, so I didn't think twice about packing it all in to become a model and travel the world.’ Beck told The Daily Mail.

'I used to get up 15 minutes before my school bus would leave and didn't take time over my appearance. I never thought I was good enough to be a model.

'Cesar said he had never scouted anyone like that before. He was so nice and approachable - he made me feel instantly at ease.

'Looking back, I never in my wildest dreams thought I would be where I am now - walking down the catwalk.

'I have heard from some people that Kate Moss was at the same stage in her career at 17 as I am.'

The fashion scout and mentor to Beck, Cesar Perin, said that the new model’s face was ‘exotic looking’ and stood out from the crowd when he spotted him in Cambridge.

'For a first job being booked exclusively is like a golden ticket. All the labels, including, Gucci, wanted to book Alex, but Prada booked him exclusively,’ Perin told The Daily Mail.

'From Milan I took him to Paris where Dior were sending a car to pick him up from the airport. He opened and closed shows, which is the best slot to get.

'He is a perfect model. All the clothes fit him like a glove. It is very hard to find models as good as Alex.

'Alexander's uniqueness stood out. He is very exotic looking, with sharp cheekbones and a very symmetrical face. On top of this he has an amazing personality too.

'His strong bone structure and green eyes make him a favourite with designers.'

Beck is currently signed to London agency FM and has since shot two editorials for Vogue Hommes Japan, to be published in the spring.

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