Victoria's Secret Archives - Kate Waterhouse

DATE WITH KATE: ELYSE TAYLOR

17th April, 2016

Australian model Elyse Taylor was discovered at 18 and went on to walk for Victoria’s Secret, Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger and has been on the cover of Australian Vogue. The 29-year old, born in Sydney and based in the United States, is now the face of Nude by Nature make-up and involved with Milea swimwear. Taylor chats to me about life, juggling motherhood and modelling, and her quirky cleaning habits.

What’s a day in the life of you when you’re at home in the US?

If I have a day off, I have breakfast with Lila and then I walk her to school, with my neighbour. Our kids are the same age and go to same school. While she is at school, we go to the gym, work out and pick her up and have lunch, and then have enough time with her and just hang out. But then if I’m working, I’m up at five [o’clock] and gone. So it’s constantly changing but it’s good.

How do you juggle it all?

I’ve learnt to be a little bit more aggressive. I’ve had to say no to certain jobs, just because they’ve been back to back. I don’t really want to spend more than four or five days away from my daughter because she is just growing and doing so many things and you don’t want to miss anything. I start getting a little strange after five days. I get really anxious and hostile. So I just try and make sure that I have enough time off and enough time on.

What do you enjoy most about motherhood?

Just the milestones and watching her and seeing her personality come through because she is two now.

Do you have plans to grow your family?

I would definitely love to have more children. It’s just trying to find the right time. If it happens, it happens. It would be wonderful. But we’re just taking it one step at a time.

What’s next for you?

I have this amazing relationship with Nude By Nature, and Milea is about to launch … And then, I think I was planning on coming back for Australian Fashion Week in May.

What made you get involved and become the face of Nude By Nature?

I think it was just like a natural alignment. Nude By Nature had a worldwide search for a face that was an Australian kind of beauty. When I got the call saying “it’s you”, I was so humbled and honoured.

What’s your top beauty secret you’ve learnt while modelling?

If you’re doing smoky eye, you put your foundation on afterwards … and with highlighting, just highlight the bridge of your nose and cheekbones.

Out of everything in your life, what are you most proud of?

In life, I feel like I’m most proud of Lila, but my career probably has been over 10 years now. As a model, you never think it’s going to last that long.

When you did the Victoria’s Secret show, what was the most surprising part about that?

The grandeur of the show. You don’t realise how big it is, and how big the machine is behind it. I was also surprised at how it is like a little family – doing the catalogue, doing the commercials and then doing the show. I still keep in contact with the girls.

What’s the worst part about your job?

That it’s not forever. That’s always in the back of your mind, especially as I get older!

What’s your plan after modelling?

There is no set plan. I would like to keep building my brands and keep moving forward and seeing where that takes us. There’s definitely a lot of opportunities, especially in the States. So it’s just trying to find the right outlet for that.

If you didn’t become a model, what would you have done?

I like to be creative. So I think I would like to stay within the industry, but maybe in art direction or maybe on the other side of the lens. I would still like to create content for brands and stuff like that, so that’s very natural for me. I enjoy that.

Do you think Lila will follow in your footsteps?

I don’t know. If she wants to, and if she is passionate about it, I’ll support her in her work. I’d love her to have a real job, one that lasts forever. But if she is passionate about this, then, of course I’ll support her and direct her in the right direction.

Who do you look up to and admire?

I look up to other women that have children with really intense careers. Especially how they find the balance to make it all work and have success after having children as well. You don’t realise how intense and what a whirlwind it is having children and then how much you are actually taking on.

Do you have any quirky habits that no one knows about?

I really am OCD about cleanliness … I clean all the time. I can’t stop. With my nanny’s cleaning, I’ll clean over the top of her cleaning and she is like, ‘is something wrong?’ I’m like, ‘Just go find, Lila. I have to finish this’.

Do you have any fears?

I don’t really like heights … I climbed the Harbour Bridge and I was dying inside.

Where is your favourite travel destination?

My favourite personal travel destination is St Barths, especially with my daughter. It’s a quiet place, to just be with the family, be on the beach. We know the island really well so there is no surprises, which is always great, especially when you have a kid.

How do you stay in shape?

I work out and I try a lot of different diets, and a blood-type diet works best for me.

What is a blood-type diet?

Each blood type is different. I’m an O blood type, so I can have lots of meats and certain kinds of fruits. I can eat as much of that as possible and not gain weight, which is great … because before I was juicing and eating all these types of salads but I was holding all this body weight. Then, once I started that, all the weight came off, all the extra baby weight.

If you have this strict diet regime, what is your biggest indulgence?

Pizza. If I’m in Australia, I like seafood pizzas. And then, if I’m in the States, macaroni – because I try and think of like the worst possible thing I could eat after a week’s rigid diet.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I guess I see myself just keep working and keep planning for the future and keep building on what we’ve already been building; constantly working with different brands and just trying to diversify myself as much as possible. There’s definitely things in the States with [talent agencies] WME and IMG combining, so there is a lot more film and television options that weren’t available before, which is exciting.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO Bistro Moncur, Woollahra

WE ATE vine ripened tomato salad; salad of beetroot, balsamic glazed heirloom carrot, goats curd and hazelnuts; buffalo mozzarella, figs, witlof, basil and vino cotto; pan fried barramundi fillet with mashed peas, crème fraiche and confit spring onion, sunflower seed and caper beurre noisette.

ELYSE WORE Isabel Marant top and Levi’s.

KATE WORE Bec and Bridge dress .

Date with Kate, Fashion & Beauty

Date with Kate: Miranda Kerr

21st February, 2016

Tea time with Miranda Kerr. Photographer: Julie Adams

Miranda Kerr was the first Australian to become a Victoria’s Secret Angel (in 2007), was counted the following year among the world’s 10 highest-earning models and has modelled for the likes of Prada, Balenciaga and Vogue. This week the 32-year-old stepped out publicly for the first time with her new boyfriend, Evan Spiegel , the billionaire founder of Snapchat, at a pre-Grammys gala in Beverly Hills. Kerr, 32, talks to me about her new romance, being a working mother to her five-year-old son with ex-husband Orlando Bloom, and what’s off-limits on social media.

What is the first thing you do when you come back home to Australia?

It’s a long flight back, so I take a shower and make a cup of tea – usually Earl Grey with goat milk and honey, and then get out in the garden, put my feet in the grass and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air.

What has been your biggest pinch-me moment in your career?

I think doing what I’m doing now. I never expected to be still in this profession and to be able to work and collaborate with amazing globally respected brands like Royal Albert and Swarovski – I’ve just finished designing my second jewellery collection for them, it’s amazing and something I am very grateful for.

You stepped out publicly for the first time with boyfriend Evan Spiegel this week. How long have you been together?

For a little while now, we met at a dinner in LA for Louis Vuitton and became friends. We were really good friends for a long time before we started dating.

You have both kept your romance private until now. Has that been intentional?

We’ve just been having fun together and sharing our time amongst friends and family … We’ve been out publicly together a lot but just hadn’t been photographed together on the red carpet.

Tell me about the new Royal Albert collection.

We had such an overwhelmingly positive response to the collection of teaware I designed for Royal Albert that we decided to extend the range to glassware … wine glasses, tumblers, champagne flutes, water pitchers and vases. Something I wanted to continue across the range was the butterfly motif – butterflies are sentimental to me, they are also a symbol of joy, hope, growth and transformation, they have elegance and a beautiful vulnerability, so each piece has little butterflies etched into the glass.

What is your favourite way to entertain family and friends?

I love entertaining at home – everything from BBQ lunches by the pool to dinner parties, and afternoon tea with girlfriends. My home has been designed with entertaining in mind; I have friends drop by unexpectedly all the time. I love that … I think it’s what makes a house a home.

If you sit next to anyone at a dinner party, who would it be?

Marilyn Monroe – I find her incredibly fascinating and think it would be really interesting to hear her story firsthand and be in her presence.

What is something that you cannot say no to?

French fries!

How would you describe your style?

I think it has evolved over the years, especially since becoming a mother, so I’d probably describe it as classic, functional – and at times little bohemian.

What is one fashion item you couldn’t live without?

Jeans! And sunglasses.

What is your top beauty secret you’ve learnt while modelling?

Beautiful skin is healthy skin. That’s why it’s important to feed your skin from the inside as well as outside. Choosing fresh, organic – when possible – produce, drinking enough water and using a skincare that is nutrient-rich and full of essential fatty acids. That’s why I developed KORA Organics, it’s formulated to feed, protect and nourish your skin.

What is still on your bucket list career-wise?

Making KORA Organics a household name worldwide.

You seem to keep your family and private life off social media. Is that something that is important to you?

To be honest, I try to find a balance. Obviously Flynn is a big part of my life and I am so proud to be a mother, so I will sometimes share little pictures of maybe his hand or a drawing he has made, but I keep it to a minimum. So much of my life is public, it’s important for me to keep some things sacred and just for my family.

What is off-limits when it comes to social media?

I think it’s personal, what feels right for me may not for someone else. For me social media is a way to connect and communicate directly with family, friends and fans … and I find it fun!

What’s the best thing about being a mum?

Everything … every day is magical … Seeing their little eyes light up when they learn something new. It’s amazing to think we can create such special little people.

What do you find most challenging thing about motherhood?

Finding a daily balance to ensure that we get enough one-on-one quality time together.

What do you enjoy most about being a working mum?

Showing my son a strong work ethic, and leading by example.

If you could trade lives with one person for an entire day who would it be?

My late grandmother. She passed just before I was born so I never got to meet her. I’d love to experience her life and walk a day in her shoes to get to know her.

What would be your advice for someone starting out in the industry?

Show up on time, work hard, ask lots of questions, don’t take the opinion of others personally and be gracious.

How do you stay in shape?

I work out most days but I do things that I enjoy so it’s less of a chore… I practice yoga daily even if only for 20 minutes, and then rotate between Pilates, ballet, swimming, cycling, hiking and keeping up with Flynn.

What’s next on the pipeline?

I’ve just finished designing another range for Royal Albert that is giftware and textile focused and it will launch soon. I’m launching my second collection of fine jewellery that I designed for Swarovski and I have just launched a handbag collection in Asia, which was great fun. I love working on these creative projects, it’s great to be able to have different creative outlets.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully as happy, healthy and content as I am today. I feel blessed to have the experiences I do, and such wonderful people in my life who enrich it in so many ways.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO Miranda’s private residence.

WE ATE Orchard Street turmeric macadamia bark, rose and lavender cacao bark, caramel tulsi slice, dulce de leche rosemary cake, goddess glow cake, cacao bliss cake

WE DRANK Orchard Street botanical tea and green fields organic juice

MIRANDA WORE Novis dress

I WORE a Jac and Jack top and LOVER skirt.

Date with Kate, Fashion & Beauty

Date with Kate: Bridget Malcolm

16th November, 2015

Drinks with Bridget Malcolm. Photo: Edwina Pickles.

Bridget Malcolm was one of the two Australian models to land a spot in the famed Victoria’s Secret runway show this week in New York. Born in Western Australia, Malcolm has become the global face of Polo Ralph Lauren and worked overseas with Burberry, H&M, Hugo Boss and Tommy Hilfiger. I chatted with the 23-year-old about the Victoria’s Secret show, once being lead oboist in the WA Youth Orchestra, and being a passionate animal-rights activist and vegan.

Congratulations on walking in your first Victoria’s Secret show. What was it like?

Thank you! It was unlike anything else I have ever experienced, and the energy was amazing! The second I got off the runway I just wanted to do it all over again … I am still over the moon and can’t believe that just happened.

How did it come about?

Through three years of hard work. This was my third time casting for the show, and my third year of working with Victoria’s Secret as a client, so it came through knowing what they were after and going for it! I worked hard for this, and am so happy that I was given the opportunity.

How did you find out you had been cast for the show?

I was in a van somewhere in Colorado with my fiance’s band on tour. I had dodgy service and it kept dropping out – but my manager got the message across.

How did it feel when you found out you had been cast?

I was beyond excited … I was shaking, and a little choked up. Just so excited. And a little shocked, like: “They want me?”

Are you friends with the other girls in the show?

Yes! Vita from Russia is also walking for the first time and we have been friends for a while; as well as [Australian model] Shanina Shaik . Most of the other girls I have met or worked with along the way – all very lovely kind girls.

What were you most excited about walking for Victoria’s Secret?

Being able to smile on the runway! You rarely get to do that for other fashion shows; this is one of the few shows where you can have fun and let your personality shine. And also the after-party. Champagne and chocolate!

Do you have a special fitness regime when preparing for the show?

Oh yes. Throughout the year I always stick to a regular fitness regime, but leading up to the show I increased my workouts to twice a day. It’s been intense, but totally worth it.

Did you always want to be a model when you were younger?

Never. The thought of modelling never even crossed my mind. I was a strange looking adolescent with other interests.

How were you discovered?

In the street in Perth during the Perth Fashion Festival.

What is it like living in New York?

New York is such an amazing place; I love to come home to it, and I also love to leave it. I have been here for seven years on and off and it really is home; [there’s] always something for your interests, you just need to be able to let the energy not drain you.

Ralph Lauren has made you the global face of Polo Ralph Lauren for the past three seasons. What is that like?

That is amazing! Ralph Lauren is such an iconic brand, and they are such a lovely, close-knit family over there. Another dream come true – I love the whole Polo vibe, very my style, and so each shoot with them feels easy and fun. I’m extremely lucky to be a part of their family.

Before your career as a model you were the lead oboist in the WA Youth Orchestra. What was that like?

I will always love the oboe and classical music. I still play to this day, just nowhere near as intensely as I used to. Being in NYC means I have access to a lot of incredible concerts; this month I am going to see the Berlin Philharmonic play all the Beethoven symphonies! I think that learning a classical instrument so early on taught me discipline and the ability to work hard for something.

Did you have to give it away for modelling?

I did, and it was one of the hardest decisions in my life. I don’t regret it, my life has been so blessed, but it was a really hard decision to make.

You are classically trained in ballet. Did you ever want to pursue that as a career?

I love ballet – I started when I was three and quit when I was 17. I still love it, though, and go to adult classes whenever I can. It was important to me; taught me how to move and how to endure pain. No desire there to turn that into a career, though!

You are vegan. What makes you so passionate about this?

It blows my mind that people can be so blind to the impact that their dietary and lifestyle choices are having on the environment, and on their own bodies. At the rate of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, I don’t understand how people can be OK – and even proud – of their bad eating habits when they are killing themselves slowly. Not to mention how animal agriculture is the biggest destroyer of our natural world. People are so stuck in their safe habits that they aren’t interested in the world our kids are going to be living in. I highly respect people in the fashion world like Stella McCartney who makes a point of making garments with cruelty-free products. I would love one day to follow in her footsteps.

You are engaged to musician Nathaniel Hoho . Can you tell me any wedding plans?

We are getting married in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, next summer, and another wedding in Perth at the end of the year! Two summer weddings, two dresses. Very excited! I’ve been with Nathaniel for two years but we had been friends for five years before that. And then one day, we were like, “we should go out?”, and then within a week we moved in together. It was the most done-deal thing in my life, and I feel so happy about it. It’s indescribable.

What do you do for fun?

I read a lot – at least a book a week. I don’t own a TV, and wouldn’t use it if I did! I always carry a book with me in my bag – right now I have three on the go. It’s weird because I took English literature in school and it was never my favourite subject. I love Shakespeare but I hate Jane Austen [laughs]! Usually when I’m at an airport I just go into a bookstore and pick out three books, and I usually read them all by the end of my trip. Or I discover new reads by listening to podcasts, like Rich Roll. His podcasts are long, freeform conversations, and he gets some of the most interesting people on. Tim Winton is another of my favourite authors – he’s from Perth, which is my home town. I studied him in high school and just recently rediscovered him again. He sometimes makes me homesick though, so I can’t read too much of his work.

If you could work with anyone or walk for any show, who or what would it be?

Now that Victoria’s Secret is ticked off … That was my No. 1 aim all my career. I would love a beauty contract with an iconic brand like Maybelline or Estee Lauder. I also have always wanted to walk for Chanel – and shoot a cover for Russh Magazine!

WE WENT TO The FASHIONhaus by Brickworks pop-up bar, Sydney city (photo taken during Vogue Fashion’s Night Out)

WE ATE Canapés

WE DRANK Champagne

BRIDGET WORE BOSS Tux jacket and Boss top

I WORE a Carla Zampatti top and Balenciaga leather pants.

Date with Kate, Fashion

Date with Kate: Elyse Taylor

22nd February, 2015

Lunch with Elyse and our daughters at Bathers Pavilion. Photo: Edwina Pickles.

Elyse Taylor traded working in a bakery for modelling and has since been a face of Estee Lauder and walked on catwalks for the likes of Dolce & Gabbana, Tommy Hilfiger and Victoria’s Secret. The 28-year-old Australian, who is based in New York, gave birth to her daughter, Lila Louise, 11 months ago and has since returned to modelling, visiting Australia as an ambassador for Bonds to mark its centenary year. She chatted to me about motherhood, the “nightmare” of getting back in shape, and why modelling was far from her mind as a youngster.

Congratulations on becoming a mother.

Thank you. It’s amazing. I mean, I’m sure you’d know. It’s challenging but it’s amazing and so much fun.

For you, what’s the best part about being a mum?

I don’t know – just getting to know her. I love when she reaches for me and says, “Mum, mum, mum”. And then at the middle of night, I’ll sneak her into my bed when we’re travelling. It’s amazing. It’s just little things that are incredible.

Did you take some time out from work when Lila was born?

Yes, I took the first five months off, just getting back into shape and spending time with her and I was breastfeeding as well. I just wanted to be with Lila and get used to everything. I wanted to spend as much time with her before I had to start travelling again because getting away is quite hard.

It must be hard being a new mum and travelling for work. How do you juggle it all?

I’ve become more selective with all my jobs. I make sure it’s worth it, and if I have to be away for more than four days then I’ll take her with me.

You look incredible!

Thank you, I try. Lila had me up at 3am this morning! But it has been a long road. It took me six months to get back into shape. It was a nightmare.

Why was it a nightmare?

To get back into shape. I put on 20 kilos during my pregnancy and you see other models bounce back straight away but I didn’t, I had to work really hard.

How did you get back in shape?

I had to try different things because the stuff I was doing before [my pregnancy] just wasn’t working anymore. So I started training [with] Justin Gelband, who does Model Fit. And then he put me on a blood-type diet.

What does that involve?

I’m an O blood type. So for me it’s more of a meat-based diet. If I stick to that and I’m really strict about it, then I can still eat a lot and lose a lot of weight. But it took me good six months with a lot of training as well to lose the weight.

What was your fitness regime?

I worked out four days a week for 90 minutes. His workouts are a bit strange. You do weird kind of high-repetition leg weights – like a Tracy Anderson workout.

Did you feel the pressure from the modelling industry to bounce back?

Not directly. But it is there because you get replaced, and I did get replaced with certain brands I worked for. If I step out [of work] there’s a hundred other girls that can take my place. So it’s hard. I don’t feel the pressure from them directly but it’s from myself.

What are you working on at the moment?

This trip, I came back to Australia for the Bonds 100-year anniversary campaign that I shot alongside [actor] Jai Courtney.

How did this all come about?

I’ve had a really long relationship with Bonds. I was the face of their underwear a couple of years ago. So I’ve grown up with them and we have become like a little family. So it’s nice to be able to come back and see familiar faces, especially now with Lila. She was in couple of shots. It is so nice to have her on the set.

When you were younger, did you envisage your life to be the way it is today?

No, not at all … I was working at Bakers Delight. I got fired because I used to eat all the custard scrolls and then be too sick to work [laughs].

How did you get into modelling?

My friend was modelling at the time. It just appeared to be a lot less work and more money than Bakers Delight! [laughs]. So she took me down to her agency and the rest is history.

So you had no aspiration to be a model when you were younger?

No, not really. I didn’t think about it. I was kind of just like a tomboy and was like, “Let’s go to the beach and chase boys around.”

What has been your biggest career highlight?

Definitely my first cover of Vogue. That meant a lot to me. And Victoria’s Secret show is always fun and crazy.

What’s it like to be a Victoria’s Secret model?

It’s amazing. For a model, you couldn’t ask for a better job. It’s just so much PR. It’s all about the girls. They really take time to make the girls a household name.

Modelling opened so many doors. Are you going to expand your career?

Yes. I’ve done acting courses at the New York Film Academy through a private tutor and I’ve auditioned for some pieces. I’d like to get into presenting and experience another side to this job. And I would like to set up my own business. I’m open to collaborations and doing my own range of products that is baby-orientated.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO The Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral Beach.

WE ATE Salad of poached salmon and green vegetables with avocado, quinoa and citrus dressing; green salad; salad of Jinnai goat’s curd with beetroot and asparagus, vincotto and walnut oil dressing.

WE DRANK Herbal tea and sparkling mineral water.

ELYSE WORE Vintage Levi’s and Alexander Wang shirt

LILA WORE A Bonds baby suit.

I WORE a Manning Cartell top and skirt.

Date with Kate, Fashion

Date with Kate: Erin Heatherton

1st September, 2013

Eyes have it: Drinks with Erin Heatherton.

Victoria’s Secret ”Angel” Erin Heatherton has modelled for designers including Diane von Furstenberg, Oscar de la Renta and Tommy Hilfiger, and was in Australia to walk the runway for Osiris eyewear as part of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival. The 24-year-old opened up to Kate Waterhouse on how she finds it hard to find balance and hopes to be seen for her inner beauty. But the subject of her former boyfriend, actor Leonardo DiCaprio, was strictly off limits.

Did you always want to be a model?

Never. I wanted to be a doctor but I was scouted when I was 17… and everything kind of changed really quickly. I never knew anything about the fashion industry. I played sport and I had a lot of other things on my mind, so I never had the opportunity to experience all this creativity. It’s really fun to see the behind-the-scenes of [the fashion industry] – that is really fascinating to me.

If you didn’t become a model, would you have become a doctor?

Oh, for sure, yeah. But my younger brother, he just graduated from NYU [New York University], so he followed the path I wanted to, so I kind of got to live life vicariously through him. But, oh well, I’m not missing out, I really love my lifestyle.

What’s been your biggest career highlight?

Working for Victoria’s Secret is definitely a highlight… Even when I started working for Victoria’s Secret, I never dreamed of becoming an ”Angel”. Another highlight was walking for the Valentino Couture show. It was his [Valentino Garavani’s] last couture show and just being a part of the fashion moment, piece of history, something I would tell my kids about, that’s really cool.

What’s the best part of your job?

I love meeting people and talking to people … and I love learning. And there is so much to learn from being in a new city and being surrounded by new people … It’s just really fascinating to learn about different people and their lives and how different people end up working in this creative field and how they feel about it.

What’s the worst part of your job?

[It] probably is finding a balance. Sometimes I want to just be like ”take me as I am” but it really is an image-based society we live in, it’s an image-based industry, and though I would love for all of us to look at each other from the inside out, it’s impossible. It’s very kind of ”little hippie” for thinking that, but that’s challenging for me to always be seen [on] the outside first, before the inside.

Are you buddies with former Victoria’s Secret ”Angel” Miranda Kerr?

Yes, she is amazing. I’ll always love her for showing me [the mockumentary TV series] Summer Heights High. One day on set [for Victoria’s Secret], I was playing comedy videos for hair and make-up and she is like, ”Oh, you have to see this,” and it is like the best thing ever. It’s one of my favourite shows of all time.

What do you do for fun?

I love concerts, I love being with my friends, listening to music, being at dinner parties and just normal – you know, 24-year-old stuff.

I noticed you have a ring on your engagement finger. Are you engaged?

No, it’s this ring. It only fits on this finger! [Laughs.]

Do you have a nice man in your life?

I don’t but I really like how it is right now. I love meeting people and the ”getting to know you” period. I love going on dates and talking.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Hopefully I’d be working on my own project. You know, I want to call some shots [laughs]. I want to work on stuff for the home… I’m a homebody but I make people come to me, like, ”Everyone just come over and we can have fun at my house.” I love to entertain.

Do you have a secret talent?

I can shoot a basket pretty well.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO The Star Lounge, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Festival Sydney.

WE DRANK Tempus Two Blanc de Blanc.

ERIN WORE A Toni Maticevski dress and Osiris glasses.

smh.com.au

Photo: Janie Barett

Date with Kate

DATE WITH KATE : JESS HART

12th May, 2013

Catching up with Jess Hart.

Jess Hart is following in the footsteps of Miranda Kerr as a model for Portmans and Victoria’s Secret. The gap-toothed beauty has graced the covers of magazines including Vogue Australia and Elle Italia. Hart has also made headlines for dating Greek shipping heir Stavros Niarchos III. While talk of her relationship was off-limits, the 27-year-old spoke with Kate Waterhouse about learning the language of love and how the self-titled “tomboy” can’t take herself seriously when it comes to being sexy.

What is your biggest career highlight so far?

I think when I did the Victoria’s Secret show last year and then the Louis Vuitton show three months later. As a model, I think that combination is quite satisfying because they are such different looks, so being able to break through was awesome. I think the fashion industry is really going that way – they are accepting the commercial girls a little bit more now in the campaigns.

What is the energy and vibe like when walking for Victoria’s Secret?

It was really crazy. Even if I hadn’t slept in a week I would have still been wired, it was just so energetic. We are doing run-throughs with Justin Bieber. It’s so out-of-this-world crazy that you just can’t comprehend it. I woke up the next morning and was like, ”That did not just happen.” It felt as if it was a dream bit when I was doing it; it was even better than what I thought it would be. It was really cool.

You have modelled for both Portmans and Victoria’s Secret; do you get labelled as the next Miranda Kerr?

No, I wouldn’t say that. I think in this industry every girl is each to her own and I think we are pretty different.

Did you imagine when you were a young girl that your life would be like this?

No – does anybody? It’s pretty crazy but on top of that I would have never imagined it because I was such a tomboy. The whole thing of being girlie and being social, it was even more far-fetched for me.

What is an average day for you?

When I’m working, it’s a lot of photo shoots. At the moment I’m out here shooting the campaign for Portmans as I have been appointed as ”the Girl on Top” for the next two years … When I’m not working, I like to work out and I’m learning French at the moment, so I have a private tutor.

Can you speak French fluently?

I can understand most things. I’ve been doing three years of private tutoring. Two weeks ago I did 14 hours in one day, so I’m ”doing it”. My boyfriend grew up in Paris and speaks French, so I hear it a lot. I was doing it before we even met but I was like, ”Awesome, now I can eavesdrop” [laughs]. But I made the mistake of acknowledging things he says so now he knows I can understand, where I should have just been really quiet!

Can you tell me more about your boyfriend?

No, I generally like to keep that private.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a model?

I love the creative outlet of designing and I love make-up and products and feel like I find so many great products around the world that I want to recreate, so I want to do that or design.

You have appeared on a few American TV shows. Do you plan to move into acting?

No. Even yesterday we were shooting a big [modelling] job and I looked up and I realised there were 45 people behind the camera and as soon as I pay attention to it I’m like, “Ah, this is awkward.” So I think the whole acting thing might not work out – I just like to have more of a closed set where I can be goofy or whatever because I can’t open up in front of a group of people.

What is next in the pipeline?

Work is going really well. I feel very lucky about that; I just turned 27 and feel so old in this industry [laughs] but I’m still doing young things. For instance, I’m doing the PINK [range] for Victoria’s Secret, which is their youngest label, and I’m one of their main spokesgirls, so I’m like, ”OK, I can’t be doing that badly if I’m still doing that!” It’s a perfect fit for me because I’m much more suited to PINK than their main line. I can never take myself too seriously, so it’s easier for me to do that than to be sexy … I can’t take myself seriously when I try to be sexy, I just start laughing.

BITE SIZE:

WE WENT TO QT Sydney hotel, CBD.

WE ATE Calamari, olives and nuts.

WE DRANK Sancerre Terre de Maimbray 2010 sauvignon blanc.

JESS WORE Portmans from head to toe.

Photography: Danielle Smith

For video footage see smh.com.au