Cara Delevingne denies quitting modelling: 'I suffer from depression and modelled during patch of self-hatred'

Delevingne says she is focusing on acting and learning 'how not to pick apart every flaw'

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Cara Delevingne has denied quitting modelling and said depression and a period of intense “self-hatred” led her to move away from the fashion industry temporarily.

Delevingne, who this week marked her return with a striking black and white campaign for Yves Saint Laurent, explained why acting is now her priority after seven years as one of the fashion industry’s most popular faces.

“I never said I was quitting modelling,” she wrote on Twitter. “I do not blame the fashion industry for anything.

“I suffer from depression and was a model during a particularly rough patch of self-hatred. I am so lucky for the work I get to do but I used to work to try and escape and just ended up completely exhausting myself. I am focusing on filming and trying to learn how to not pick apart my every flaw. I am really good at that.”

Delevingne fronted major campaigns for Burberry, Chanel, Yves Saint Lauren and Mango, to name but a few. Comparisons with Kate Moss came in quick and fast and the pair were shot together for a number of major brands including Burberry.

But the 23-year-old began veering away from modelling and instead focused on her acting ambitions, appearing in films such as The Face of an Angel and shooting scenes for the forthcoming Suicide Squad.

She wrote about her experience of the industry and her decision to leave modelling in a blog for Motto. Delevingne said that as she became increasingly successful, she was also increasingly relying on validation from others to feel good about herself.

“I was nearly 20 and had been modelling for several years. My vantage point had changed…and I had changed. I knew I had to reevaluate my life and my goals for my future. I didn’t want to resent fashion or my success. The process didn’t happen overnight, but it was imperative for me to preserve my integrity.

“Over time, I came to realise that work and getting others' approval isn't the most important thing. “Yes, your career is very important - but it's not the most important. Of course, I was proud of my accomplishments, but I wasn't genuinely happy.”