Stella Tennant is without doubt one of the biggest figures in global fashion.

Now the stylish Scot is this year's Scottish Fashion Awards Hall of Fame winner. Born the granddaughter of the Duke of Devonshire, her modelling adventures began after she was spotted by society fashion journalist Plum Sykes, who was working at British Vogue.

Sykes introduced Tennant to photographer and image-maker Steven Meisel, who was impressed by her translucent skin, steely blue eyes and nose-ring wearing beauty. No sooner had Meisel taken her under his wing that she appeared on the cover of Italian Vogue.

Her cropped jet black hair and statuesque physique won her covers from nearly every top fashion glossy and the admiration of top photographers.

Mario Testino said: "I first met Stella in 1990 and was blown away by her quirky style, that mix of good family but decadent exterior."

Over the last 20 years she has appeared in campaigns for Versace, Armani, Jill Sander and Gucci and in 1996 she became the face of Chanel and muse of Karl Lagerfeld. He said: "I don't see Stella in terms of age, I see her in terms of elegance and modernity."

Even after taking time out to marry photographer David Lasnet and having four children, Stella returned to modelling, jetting between her home in Scotland and the world's fashion capitals.

But it's not just her looks, but her awareness of what photographers find interesting that makes her an enduring favourite.

Norwegian photographer Solve Sundsbo, who has shot her for i-D magazine and other high-profile campaigns, said: "Stella is there to make a picture. She's not there to stand still and look beautiful. She contributes to the picture, which is very impressive from a model as most are not like that. As soon as she walks in front of the camera, you understand that she is there to help you and that's why she's had such longevity."

After 20 years her book is still flooded with campaigns from the likes of Etro, Zara and Balenciaga. As Lagerfeld said: "Stella, continue, continue, continue – there is no-one quite like you!"

The Scottish Fashion Awards will be held at the Clyde Auditorium, Glasgow, tomorrow