All eyes were on London today as Riccardo Tisci
presented his Burberry debut. While it's the clothes and accessories that will have the biggest impact on the company, other aspects will also help to understand Tisci's new vision for the house. One of the most important? The mannequins.

Leading the final part, the British model made her first major catwalk appearance and debuted a brand-new blonde hair color. Until now, she'd been a classic brunette English rose.

"I was a little nervous about embracing the change, but I've always wanted to try blonde," she told Vogue before the show and after her hair color change. "Josh Wood's team was great - they really made me feel comfortable about it. I love the color, it looks so natural and fresh that I might just keep it that way!".

Spotted when she moved to London by her mother's agency, Scouting Firm, Claudia has since signed with Next, which is her first job. "It all started when I met Adam Hindle, the casting director. He was so nice and we got on really well. We talked about my previous work and the shows I'd done, and he gave me some information about the Burberry show and how it would take shape," she explains.

A meeting with Tisci followed soon after. "He asked me a few questions about myself and that definitely helped me relax and break the tension before they asked to see my walk."

Lavender's arrival in the spotlight was partly due to her alignment with Hindle and Tisci's new Burberry woman, but as she explained, it was also her agents and the influence she received before the show that led to it.

"I think everyone is nervous - especially as this show is huge, everyone feels the pressure to do well. But it's also very exciting. I just try not to think about it and concentrate on other things... (like lunch!)," she laughs.

If Lavender fell into modeling, it's clearly a profession she now wants to pursue, with a professional relationship with Burberry in mind.

"I love Burberry as a brand (and what I've seen of their new direction), so hopefully this will lead to me working with them more. I didn't really have any expectations. So I'm content to enjoy the craziness of it all and follow the lead of my agents."

Her approach to modeling and entering the fashion world is to keep a cool head. "I try to stay positive about everything - you reap what you sow," she enthuses. "I'm lucky to have always had great people around me who have guided me in the right direction, and I guess good advice is priceless."