The 33 year-old supermodel has been named as the leading British icon in a new survey conducted by fashion magazine Harpers Bazaar. The poll also names mashed potato as our nation’s most iconic comfort food and cites chavs as a further iconic cultural phenomenon. 54% of the 1,000 people surveyed also named Topshop, the company that collaborated with Kate on her much-hyped clothing line, as their favourite brand.

Rather than basking in the glow of this latest honour, Kate has been pictured in Marbella with celebrity pals Kelly Osbourne, Davinia Taylor and Rhys Ifans following her latest split with Babyshambles frontman Pete Doherty. Her 24/7 partying even prompted her Primrose Hill pal Sadie Frost to fly out to Spain to keep her under control.

Comeback Kate

Being named a modern cultural icon is just another chapter in Kate Moss’ comeback from her 2005 tabloid drug scandal. Twelve months after the “Cocaine Kate” headlines, she had bagged 18 new modelling contracts including Virgin Mobile, Rimmel and Agent Provocateur’s Dream of Miss X campaign.

Away from fashion, she appeared with David Walliams and Matt Lucas onstage as part of Little Britain’s live show, In February, photographer Corinne Day’s pictures of Kate formed the centerpiece of the Face of Fashion exhibition at London’s Victoria & Albert Museum. If pop culture can invade the V&A, is it any surprise that Kate is the nation’s chosen modern icon of choice.