Beker: Klum a model for those who want to have it all
Heidi Klum "Shines" in Toronto at the launch of her debut fragrance Shine.
GEORGE PIMENTEL/COTY INC.
Were at Yorkvilles swank Hazelton Hotel and Heidi Klum is sad.
Looking like Glamazon Barbie in a red tailored pantsuit and blond ponytail, the 38-year-old, 5-foot-9 German beauty had her heart set on shopping Torontos mink mile, but its been pouring rain all morning and now shes got a spate of media interviews to finish and a plane to catch.
I mean this hotel is like right on the shopping street and its like nosebleeds in the car as Im driving down the street, she laments.
With all the travelling she does, youd think shed have had her fill of shopping. I never have enough! she laughs. And as one of the worlds highest earning supermodels making an estimated $20 million last year, shes got plenty to spend.
Flea markets, really interesting little boutiques, department stores . . . I like to shop it all, she explains. Thats how I am with magazines too. I fly through them. . . . I like to see whats out there. I like to see what people are doing.
Klums natural curiosity and ! thirst f or the visually stimulating is all part of her creative drive an ambitious spirit thats taken her from model to Victoria Secret icon to producer of such shows as Project Runway and Germanys Top Model, to author (Heidi Klums Book of Knowledge: Eight Rules of Model Behavior) to the face of international brands to launching a jewellery, clothing and maternity lines.
Married to R&B star Seal, she gave birth to her fourth child in 2009. Evidently, Klum is adamant about having it all. And shes certainly a poster girl for that notion. Now, shes even got her own fragrance a spicy, citrus scent called Shine. It could be viewed as the cherry on top of her already sumptuous career. But after conversing with Klum, I get the feeling shes only just begun.
Jeanne: Why is it that you have decided to grab life and drink it in to this degree? It seems to us you do it all.
Heidi: Before I became a model I always wanted to be a designer. . . . I would have gone to Dsseldorf to design school. But I never got to do that because I won a modelling contest and then travelled the world as a model. Now I get to do the things that I always wanted to do. I get to design jewellery, clothes . . . and this perfume, which was another challenge. Im also someone who loves taking on a challenge and I want to succeed. Im passionate about that.
Jeanne: Fragrances are such a big business. But its so much more than just creating a fabulous product. Theres so much marketing that goes on behind it . . .
Heidi: Oh absolutely! And for me, the most important thing is to really have a product that is unique and that is beautiful to me. And then if people like it, they like it. For example when we were creating this scent, I got certain statistics about what sells and what doesnt. A really super sweet perfume sells in certain countries more than in others. But I didnt go down that route. I went down a route of a spicy sce! nt, more unusual scent . . . I had to do what I love to do.
Jeanne: So its not necessarily just about making as much money as possible. Its really about doing something that you believe in.
Heidi: At the end of the day you have to look in the mirror and like what you see and like what you make. Whatever I put my name on, I created it, and Im proud of it.
Jeanne: What part of the creative process speaks to you the most? What do you enjoy the most?
Heidi: To get what I want in the end! (laughs)
Jeanne: So its always about the destination, not necessarily the journey?
Heidi: No. Its about the journey and the process of getting there too. But its always like No, its not there yet no, its not there yet And then in the end you have to say, Okay! Now its there, Im done! Its the same with writing a book. . . . Its hard to close it and say, Okay, now print it!
Jeanne: So youre a perfectionist . . .
Heidi: Im just a little bit of a pain in the booty! (laughs) I just know what I want and I try as hard as I can to get to it.
Jeanne: Well its important to have a vision.
Heidi: For me, a lot of it is about fantasy, creating, thinking about things that are not out there, things that I would love to have . . . but for me, its not very hard. . . . I get inspired quite easily. That for me is easier than other things.
Jeanne: Like what other things?
Heidi: Like reading contracts for example . . . some people love that, or having an office and doing a lot of paperwork and computer work . . . for me thats harder. I like to draw. I like to paint. Im very hands on. I like to make things.
Jeanne: When people say your name, a lot of different things come to mind. Gorgeous woman number one, but other things too. Because youve got your tentacles! out the re . . .
Heidi: (laughing) That sounds a little scary!
Jeanne: What would you hope that your brand stands for in peoples minds first and foremost?
Heidi: Something fun.
Jeanne: What would you hope that you stand for?
Heidi: People dont necessarily love everything that you do. But I at the end of the day, you have to just do what you like and then people will either enjoy it or they wont.
Jeanne: Does it surprise you when you stand back and see just how much youve built for yourself and what kind of a brand youve become?
Heidi: Sometimes I see things from 10 years ago and Im like, Who is that person? (laughs). Yeah, its been a long journey and its been a lot of fun. Ive been very lucky. Sometimes I think, if I wasnt in this industry where else would I be? Where would I fit in? What would I enjoy doing? I really am in the place where I want to be. I like to create and I like travelling the world, meeting different people everyday. I feel like Im exactly where Im supposed to be.
Jeanne: You seem to have struck a most exquisite balance, the kind of thing that most women really dream about, and work their butts off to try and achieve. How easy is it for you to be walking this incredible line that youve managed to walk?
Heidi: I think a lot of people always think that I have a major plan, and I dont to be honest. I just live. I want to make the most out of everyday. I love my family, I do everything for my family, and even though I work a lot they will always come first. And I do anything and everything for my friends. I dont know. . . Im a Gemini. There are two of me!
Jeanne Beker is a contributing editor to the Star and host of Fashion Television. Email her at jeanne@ctv.ca, follow her on Twitter (@jeanne_beker) and watch her on CTV, E! and FashionTelevisionCha! nnel.
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