Renée Toft Simonsen is a Danish former supermodel who currently works as a writer. Simonsen was one of the most successful models in the world during the 1980s.In 1981 she caught the attention of fashion editor Birte Strandgaard, who convinced photographer Leif Nygaard to take some photos. Simonsen subsequently participated in the Ekstra Bladet Contest and won second place. In July 1981 she appeared on the cover of the Danish magazine Fotokino.The following year she won the Ekstra Bladet Contest, and was chosen to represent Denmark at the Ford Supermodel contest, which she won in August 1982. In April 1983 she appeared in the American edition of Vogue; she subsequently went on to feature on four more American Vogue covers.From 1983 on she became one of the fastest-rising stars in the modelling world, being featured on the covers of numerous international fashion magazines. She was the cover girl for the German Vogue in March, April and September of that year.In 1983 she was featured on the cover of Roxy Music's Atlantic Years album.Simonsen was the face of cosmetic brands such as Clarins, Maybelline and Covergirl and Lancel luggage. She also appeared in a swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated magazine.