New York, July 27 - 'The O.C.' star Mischa Barton is amazed to find herself a fashion icon because she says she used to be a style disaster a few years ago.

'You'd get sneakers made into high heels or cut up your clothing and put pins on your shirts and bags. Then I was into the sweatpants look - hip-hop didn't pass me by!' Barton was quoted as saying by contactmusic.com.

The young actress has already appeared in campaigns for high-end designers like Calvin Klein.