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As one of Australia’s most successful model exports, Miranda Kerr has done what few others have: transcended fashion to launch her own multimillion-dollar skincare company, KORA Organics.
Now, as a Michael Hill ambassador, Kerr is extending her creative ambitions by releasing her first jewellery collection. The range is called “Amour”, and with a heart motif running throughout, the pieces are designed to become treasured heirlooms.
Ahead of the launch, the 42-year-old model and mother of four (Flynn, 15, Hart, 7, Myles, 6 and Pierre, 2) chats to Sunday Life about her enviable style, raising boys in a blended family and staying connected to her husband, Snapchat co-founder Evan Spiegel.
You’ve been based in Los Angeles for a few years now. How does LA style differ from Australian fashion? When I’m in LA I’m running around with the kids, so it’s more of a practical, comfortable style. But when I’m in New York and Paris, I’m in heels or boots, and it’s more about fashion. When it comes to Sydney, it really depends on the weather. I’d say it’s similar in a relaxed way to Los Angeles, but then you have your moments where if you go to an event, you might pop on a heel.
How has your style changed now that you’re in your 40s? The practical nature is important. I’m a very sensual and tactile person, so I want fabrics that feel good on my skin and fit my body in the right places. I have a pair of pants from The Row that I love. They’re not jeans, but they’re not a tracksuit, and they don’t crease. I could get up in the morning, do yoga in those, drop the boys off to school, come back and do a business meeting. The versatility of that is really cool, but they still look effortless.
As a champion of organic living through KORA Organics, how do you incorporate sustainability into your wardrobe choices? Recycling pieces that I’ve had for a long time is important. I have so many pieces that have been with me – oh my gosh – since before Flynn was born. I have this blazer that I’ve had since back when Orlando Bloom and I were dating. It’s a men’s Dior blazer, and a piece that will be a part of my wardrobe forever. I remember we went to Dior together, though, and I was like, “This is really cool”, then I just wore it with everything. I still wear it to this day.
I also have a Louis Vuitton hoodie that I’ve had for years. I worked with Louis Vuitton for many years and sometimes they pay you in clothes. I remember my friend saying, “Why would you get a hoodie, of all things?” But that hoodie has lasted me since before Flynn was born, and I wear it all the time.
I also have so many pieces from my grandma, and so many Zimmermann dresses that I’ve had for so long and which I keep pulling back out. It’s just about making sure you take care of the pieces you do have and treat them well.
When did you take a style risk that paid off? I’m not really one to wear something unless I feel 100 per cent good in it. However, on my very first photoshoot for Dolly magazine, I was wearing this brown top. At the time I was 13 and I never thought brown would work but then it ended up being quite complimentary to my colouring. When it came out in the photo, I was like, “Oh wow.”
You’ve walked all of the major runways over the years. Do you have a favourite fashion week memory? Probably walking the Balenciaga runway while I was pregnant with Flynn. I’ve worked with [French fashion designer] Nicolas Ghesquière for so many years. I worked with him before I was pregnant, while I was pregnant, then straight after I gave birth. I’d say walking the runway with Flynn in my belly was pretty up there with one of the most “pinch me” moments. Anna Wintour was in the audience and I was like, “Oh wow, I wonder what she’s gonna think about me being on the runway pregnant?” because it wasn’t really a thing.
What elements of the Michael Hill brand resonate most with your personal style? They’re an incredible brand which I worked with during one of my first modelling jobs, so I feel so grateful to continue the journey with them. They’ve had such a dedication to timeless design and craftsmanship, and they were so supportive during the design process of my “Amour” collection. I want these pieces to feel like something that people can wear every day, but can also elevate an outfit as well.
What piece from your new collection do you find yourself reaching for the most often? The heart ring, which is a sweet, beautiful piece, and the tennis necklace, which I wear every day. That was inspired by one Elizabeth Taylor wore in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. I’ve always loved that little necklace; it was so delicate and sat at the right spot on her collarbone.
The collection is also inspired by Paris, right? My idea was to create this collection from my heart to yours – and, obviously, Paris is the city of love. It was really about the beautiful heart design, and approaching life with love and gratitude.
Do you and your husband, Evan, share a special Paris memory? We conceived Pierre in Paris, so that was a very special moment and something we both really cherish. I also found out I was pregnant with Flynn when I was in Paris, and I found out I was pregnant with Hart when I was in Paris. So three of my four children have a little bit of their birth story related to Paris. There’s something about Paris that feels very connected to my story.
What are the things you and Evan do to stay connected? We have a regular date night, and the boys know it’s Mum and Dad’s night. I love putting the boys to bed, doing their nighttime routine, and that happens pretty much every evening. But they know when it’s date night, it’s Mum and Dad’s turn. We do have busy lives, but when we make that time to stay connected, it makes such a huge difference. It’s so important to communicate with each other and have respect and gratitude. That commitment of wanting to evolve, and be better people tomorrow than what we are today, is something we both share. Actually, next year is our 10-year wedding anniversary.
Congratulations! How are you going to celebrate? That’s what we’re talking about right now! We want to do something really special.
I understand that you meditate with your kids. What is your philosophy for raising boys in the 21st century? Meditation has been such a useful tool for me. I’ve been meditating since I was 17 and I’m going to be 43 this year. Flynn has learned meditation from a young age, so they all have their own individual mantra, and it’s advised depending on their age. It really helps me so much in my life, and I felt like it’d be a great anchor for them to be deeply in touch with their true selves.
You’ve been quite open about topics such as co-parenting and your break-up with your ex-husband Orlando Bloom. What informs your decisions to be so open while maintaining your privacy? I really lead from the heart, and it all comes down to the respect that we all have for each other, and the fact our children are the main priority. When you can categorise things in that way, then you can come from a place of love and respect. We keep our children’s lives private; that’s something Evan and I decided was important. This means they can decide for themselves when they want to be seen on social media. Flynn only has Snapchat, as that’s the way he communicates with his friends.
Do you have conversations with him about your relationship with his father, Orlando? Orlando and I are definitely very close, we’re almost like brother and sister. I think we always will be, and Flynn sees that and understands that we have that basis of love and care for each other as a family. Katy [Perry, Bloom’s ex-partner] is a big part of his life, and Evan, too. I’m sure it’s definitely interesting growing up being Flynn, with all of us as your parents, but he doesn’t know anything different. He knows that we all have his best interests at heart, as we do with all of our children: we’re here to support and nurture each of them as the individuals that they are, and try to be the best examples that we can be for all of them.
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