Suicide Blonde

Suicide Blonde is the stage name of model, singer and songwriter Ivy Jacques (born July 14, 1995). Initially known for her modelling career which began at the age of fourteen, in 2013 she released her debut single I'd Rather Be Beautiful, followed by her debut album Shine To Fade.

Early Life (1995-2008)
Born in Brighton in 1995, little is known about Jacques' early life, but she was raised by her mother following the death of her father at a young age. She has claimed that before she became a model she had little interest in fashion, but she had developed a keen interest in poetry, and that this would later be instrumental in her songwriting.

Modelling Career (2009-Present)
Jacques began modelling after being scouted on Brighton beach in 2009, at just fourteen years of age. She quickly managed to get her big break walking for Alexander McQueen, and went on to appear on the cover of many international editions of Vogue magazine and fronted numerous high profile campaigns. She drew much attention within the industry for her baby face. As an extension of her fashion work, she filmed a bit part for the film The Great Gatsby. In 2012, her modelling career began to slow due to a shift in focus over to music, and a number of issues in her personal life, but as of 2013 she is still active in the fashion industry and shows no signs of retiring.

Music Career (2012-Present)
Jacques had learned to play the piano from her mother at a young age and had always enjoyed writing poetry, but did not consider a career in music until an ex-boyfriend complimented her singing voice. In early 2-012 she signed to a minor record lavel who teamed her with a band. Jacques came up with the name Suicide Blonde, but it was reportedly the only thing she and the group were able to agree on. Artistic differences within the group caused them to split and they were dropped from their contract. Despite this, Jacques retained the stagename Suicide Blonde which she claims reflects her thematic focus on beauty and fatalism.

Shows she played that year attracted the attention of Liam Howe, producer for Ellie Goulding and Marina and the Diamonds, who agreed to produce a record with her. She was involved in a motor accident weeks before recording was supposed to start, which killed her boyfriend of the time instantly. Though she cancelled numerous engagements for fashion work in the time period afterwards, she went ahead with the recording sessions, remembering that it was him who had encouraged her to follow music in the first place. The event would have a major influence on the outcome of the sessions.

Shine To Fade (2013)
Eventually the album was completed and shopped to a number of labels as Suicide Blonde prepared to release her first single I'd Rather Be Beautiful. She was signed to Blacklight Records and the single became a surprise success upon its release in February of 2013, charting at #4 on the singles chart and #3 on the downloads chart. The release also earned her a nomination at the urapopstar awards for Critics Choice.

The album Shine To Fade was released on April 1, and accompanied by the release of a download only single On The Bright Side. Critical reaction towards the album was mixed to positive.

Albums
2013: Shine To Fade (#-)