IN CONVERSATION WITH MIRANDA KERR

Interview by Jana Letonja

Miranda Kerr is initially known for her celebrated modeling career that spanned over two decades and includedbeing the only Australian Victoria’s Secret Angel, working with fashion titans such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Chanel and Christian Dior and starring on the cover of every major fashion magazine globally. Today, Mirandais best known as a renowned and respected businesswoman, entrepreneur and philanthropist.

You’ve had a career as a model that spanned over two decades. What made you become a model and want that as your career?

My friend entered me into a modelling competition for an Australian magazine for teenage girls, called ‘Dolly’. I was 13 at the time and to be honest I considered myself a bit of a Tom-boy, so it wasn’t something I ever expected. I felt mostcomfortable on the farm riding motorbikes and climbing trees. But I loved the experience and it really fed the creative side in me.

I knew from the day I started modelling that it wasn’t traditionally a long term job and I never in my wildest dreams thought that my modelling career would ever last this long. I took it with a grain of salt and appreciated every job as if it was my last. It honestly shocks me every time I get a modelling offer. I’ve been in the industry since I was 13 and I am turning 40 in April, so it’s for sure a long run. Modelling has given me the opportunity to travel the world, meet creative people and save money so I could then start my own business. I will be forever grateful for this.

You are an advocate in the benefit of organics and revolutionized the beauty industry in 2009 when you self-funded and launched ‘KORA Organics‘, a range of certified organic skincare designed to produce powerful, visible results the healthy way. ‘KORA Organics’ use sustainable organic harvesting practices that result in less waste for the planet while providing up to 60 % more antioxidants in its powerful skincare line. Why is sustainability of such importance in the world of beauty products?

Being environmentally conscious is a very important shift for the beauty industry and one that is critical to the health of humanity and the environment. I believe certified organic beauty will become even more a priority and raise the bar for transparency across all facets of the beauty industry. Hopefully ingredient transparency and responsible sustainable practices becomes the new expected standard and norm in the industry. If this becomes the new standard, more innovation and technology will develop to be in line with these goals. When I launched ‘KORA’ 14 years ago, no one was talking about clean or organic beauty. But now, people are much more aware.

full look DOLCE & GABBANA 
earrings BULAGRI

You are very passionate for health and wellness and are also a certified health coach. What would be your advice to our readers on their health and wellness?

Everyone’s needs are individual and it’s important to try things and see what works for you personally. Some of my wellness recommendations would be meditation, a good night sleep and celery juice. Meditation has been an incredible tool for me and helps keep me grounded. I do TM meditation or sometimes guided meditations. There are several on YouTube and I also use the Insight timer app. Good quality sleep is also very important to our overall wellness, so I make sure I put my phone in airplane mode before I go to sleep as it really helps when I need to disconnect. 

I like to start every morning with 32 ounces of cold pressed celery juice. I drink it on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before breakfast. Celery is amazing as it’s a powerful anti-inflammatory, is alkalizing and also full of electrolytes. I started with drinking just 16 ounces in the beginning, but now I’m up to 32 ounces every morning. I try to eat as much fresh, organic produce as possible. I also count nutrients over calories and follow the 80/20 rule, meaning that I eat healthy organic produce 80 % of the time and allow myself to treats 20 % of the time. By following this approach, it helps me to find balance in my diet.

To me  health is wealth. The connection of the mind, body and spirit is so powerful. You can’t pour from an empty cup, so slow down, feed your mind with positive affirmations and take the time to fill your cup. Do things that bring you happiness and joy every day. And spend quality time with those you love and those who make you laugh. Laughter can sometimes be the best medicine. 

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bracelet TIFFANY

Outside of fashion and beauty, you also have an eye for design. You have successful creative collaborations with Royal Albert, ‘Miranda Kerr for Royal Albert’, and a home furniture line, ‘Miranda Kerr Home’. What excites you the most about design? What is the most important aspect of your home furniture line?

I love home interior and all aspects of design. Being creative is such a passion of mine. My first home furnishing line,in partnership with Universal Home, ‘Miranda Kerr Home’ was released at the end of 2019, called ‘Love.Joy.Bliss’. The collection was very successful and is sold across retailers in the US, including One Kings Lane, Wayfair, Macy’s, Bloomingdales and many other local retailers. My second collection, ‘Tranquility’, launched in mid 2022. ‘Tranquillity’was inspired by modern Parisian style. This whole home collection features chic, yet simple furnishings for living room, dining room, bedroom and office. I designed a tea and dishware collection ‘Miranda Kerr for Royal Albert’, that was inspired by my nan with pops of bright colours, peonies and butterflies in hopes to spark joy in everyday moments. The collection is sold globally, including in Australia, US, UK and China.

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ring CARTIER

In your opinion, what is the most important thing that a successful business owner, especially a businesswoman, must have?

Patience, resilience and self-belief. Building a business doesn’t happen overnight. There will be hurdles and many learning experiences along the way, but if you are truly passionate about what you are doing, it motivates you even more to keep going.  Starting any new business is full of learning curves and I am still learning every single day. But I don’t really look at mistakes as something I regret, I see mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow.

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bracelet, necklace & ring BULGARI

You are a mom of 3. How do you balance being a mom and a succesfull businesswoman?

It’s definitely busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Fun, full and a very fulfilling life with my boys. No two days are the same and it’s definitely a juggle, but I love it. I guess for me, the most important thing is making sure that I plan and schedule appropriately. It’s important for me to try to have a work/life balance. As a minimum during work days, I try my best to be present and phone free with each of my three children at the beginning and end of our day and the weekends. We have our set morning and evening routines, which allows us special time together during the busy week.  

My weekends are filled with quality family time, which I really look forward to. Sometimes things don’t go as planned and you can at times have that Mom guilt that you could or should be doing more. But I feel there is another side to that, it’s important for our children to see us having a strong work ethic and teach them the value of hard work and earning their own living. My parents were very young when they had me and they both worked very hard at running their own businesses, so a strong work ethic was instilled in me at a young age. I honestly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t experience that growing up. 

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You are also a dedicated advocate of numerous causes related to women, children and the environment. What makes you resonate with these causes so much? 

I believe giving back is important, no matter how grand or small the gesture. In the US, as a family we regularly help our local community initiatives to help those in need.

In Australia, some of the charities I personally support are ‘Kids Helpline’, which is Australia’s free, private and confidential online and phone counselling service for young people ages 5-25, ‘Royal Hospital for Women’ and ‘Save the Koala Foundation’. I tied myself to a tree in 2009 to shine a light on the Koala Foundation’s “No Tree, No Me” campaign. The Green Issue was a world first for Rolling Stone, highlighting the huge groundswell of Aussie interest in positive environmental change.

Through our family trust, headed by my wonderful husband, the ‘Spiegel Family Trust’, our family is dedicated to the arts, education, housing and human rights, and support organisations that contribute to human progress. We helped with funding a brand new operating theatre for babies and children for ‘Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation’, help those who are victims of domestic violence or who face homelessness  for ‘ Jenny’s Place’ and also help other organizations, like ‘ Youth Express’ and ‘ Harvest Home’.

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earrings TIFFANY

We also made contributions to fire relief efforts back in 2019 – 20 during the bushfires and at the height of the Covid pandemic, we worked closely with the ‘Angeleno fund’ and the ‘Mayor’s fund’ for Los Angeles, which supported 29 organizations that helped individuals and groups most affected by the impact of Coronavirus. Also, in May last year, we paid off the student debts of Otis College of Art’s Graduating class. The donation exceeded $10 million USD.

I believe every individual has a role to play in protecting the planet and our future generations. We all need to adopt sustainability practices in our everyday life, this is why I am such a big advocate for a natural, healthy and organic lifestyle. I’m dedicated to using my voice and platform to make a positive difference in the world.

What would be your advice to younger generations of women that dream of being successful businesswomen, but don’t have the courage to take the first step?

Follow your passion and intuition.  It’s never easy starting your own business. If you have a deep feeling inside, don’t ignore it, let it guide you. Make sure you set your goals and intentions and write down short, medium and long term goals so you can celebrate success along the way. 

talent MIRANDA KERR @mirandakerr 
photographer VERONICA SAMS@veronicasams
photo assistants ALESSANDRA GUTH @alessandraguth & REECE KNUPP @reeceknupp
stylist ORETTA CORBELLI @orettac 
styling assistants ALLEGRA GARGIULO @jesuisallegra_ & SOFIA POPKOVA @iamsofiapopkova
hair & make-up ERICKA @ericka_verrett & RICKY VERETT @rickyverrett from @aframe_agency 
studio @fdphotostudio by SERGEY KOSTIKOV
bts AIDAN DELEAR @aidandelear
location assistant ANNA VOSTRIKOVA @anna_vostrikova1
editor TIMI LETONJA @timiletonja
cover design ARTHUR ROELOFFZEN @arthurroeloffzen
interview by JANA LETONJA @janaletonja