Date with Kate

DATE WITH KATE: KYLY CLARKE

28th October, 2012

KylyClarke

Model and TV presenter Kyly Clarke, 31, is a cosmetics and fashion brand ambassador. She and her husband, Australian cricket captain Michael Clarke, try to keep a low profile but Kate Waterhouse catches up with Kyly near their southern Sydney home to talk about cooking, cricket and how the couple met at school.

What are you up to at the moment?

I have an interior design business (Bold Interiors) and the latest project I’m working on is the Michael Clarke Cricket Academy. I’ll be designing that from scratch and working with architects and builders over the next 12 to 24 months. I’m also brand ambassador for Sheer Cover make-up and Boutique by Harris Scarfe. I really love the variety of things that I do; I like being able to have those different elements in my life.

How did you get into interior design?

I started as a beauty therapist and was modelling and presenting at the same time. I was getting older and I wanted a more mature trade I could enjoy for a very long time. Interior design was a passion, as it’s quite similar to fashion – it’s all about style, colour and composition – so it all just clicked for me.

You seem to have a very glamorous life. Is it?

It’s like everyone else’s: when you want to be glamorous, you put make-up on, do your hair and wear nice clothes; but when you are relaxed, you pop your hair in a ponytail and head to the gym … except my life is sometimes in pictures because the media follows me.

You seem to keep a low profile, is that intentional?

I’m just happy doing my job. I understand and appreciate the media side comes with that but, for me, that’s not where I am at.

Do you feel the pressure to monitor what you say on social media?

I always watch what I do and say, it’s just my nature. It’s how I’ve been brought up. As my dad would say, ”measure twice and cut once”. I don’t think it’s a bad thing … it is about being true to yourself.

Do you spend many nights at home cooking, in trackies?

Most definitely. One of my favourite things is to eat at our dining table, because you can be yourself. I really love cooking. Everyone is egging me on to do a simple cookbook but I’m not sure; I’m definitely no chef but it would probably be simple recipes.

What is your signature dish?

Spinach and feta pie. I also cook a lot of steak and veg, veal schnitzel and pasta bake. I enjoy experimenting.

As a child, what did you think you would be when you were older?

I started as a dancer; I remember moments when I wanted to be an interior designer or … a wedding planner! You (do) your modelling and presenting jobs wondering which is going to grab, and obviously they are quite fickle industries, so it’s hard to know when one is going to take off. You definitely have those moments and think, ”If this doesn’t work, what else would I really love doing?” So thanks, J-Lo, for that Wedding Planner movie!

Were you a cricket fan when you were younger?

I knew about the Boxing Day Test because I would catch a glimpse of it on TV.

How did you grow to love it?

You enjoy something when you have a valid interest in it. I’ve always loved sport, so it wasn’t very hard to enjoy cricket. Once you know the rules of a sport, you can figure out if you are going to love it or not. For me, I did do a little research, I’m not going to lie (laughs), to figure out how many balls in an over, et cetera. But once you start paying attention and listening to the commentators, that really helped me understand things.

Did you know who Michael was before you met?

We went to school together, so we knew each other from then.

You both have busy schedules. How do you maintain family life?

It just comes down to making sure your schedules fit together and … if someone is away then obviously you try to not spend too much time apart.

Are you planning on starting a family any time soon?

Kate … ! (Laughs) Time will tell.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

I know what you probably want me to say, but I just hope that my Bold Interiors is still successful and the brands-and-modelling career continues for a very long time.

BITE SIZE

WE WENT TO Flowercino Florist Cafe, Caringbah.

WE ATE Home-made granola with seasonal fruit and yoghurt.

WE DRANK Soy latte and skim cappuccino.

KYLY WORE Boutique by Harris Scarfe.

For video footage see smh.com.au

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