These days if a model’s got ink she doesn’t need to worry about it stopping her from landing a job – with the likes of Alice Dellal and Freja Beha Erichsen serving as decorated muses to Karl Lagerfeld (and Chanel producing a line of temporary tats to accompany the spring 2010 collection) - it’s almost the rule rather than the exception.

Some models go for something subtle and understated – a tiny triangle behind the ear, a dainty heart on the wrist - while others make a dramatic statement with a design that covers plenty of skin, like Jourdan Dunn’s Isis across her upper back.

All have great personal significance and meaning for the wearer and perhaps in an industry like modelling where your look can change with dizzying speed depending on the whim of a designer, photographer or stylist, it’s reassuring to have something of some permanence on your skin. 

But it’s not just the new girls who are into body art – you might be surprised by how many legends of the modelling world are tattooed too (here’s looking at you Iman) Click through the gallery to see our favourite models-with-ink…