Marietta La Roux

Born in Cape Town, South Africa, Marietta La Roux grew up in a family that blended intellectualism and artistry. Her father was a historian specializing in colonial literature, while her mother ran a boutique specializing in bespoke gowns for society galas. Surrounded by books, fabrics, and conversations about the past, Marietta developed a love for both language and style. She earned top honors in her English literature degree at the University of Cape Town, later completing her Ph.D. at Oxford. Her academic brilliance led her to a professorship at Princeton University, where she specializes in Romantic and Gothic literature. Her life took an unexpected turn when a visiting fashion photographer attended one of her public lectures and offered her a modeling opportunity. What began as a single campaign evolved into a flourishing second career. Today, she lectures in the mornings and commands international runways on weekends — a rare fusion of intellect and glamour that has made her a cultural icon.