As you have possibly noticed, I am a redhead, and with being a redhead, comes tricky skin. It can be dry, sensitive and easily sunburnt. I have had so many make up brands used on my skin, and dealt with the fallout from some of them. When I was living in Paris and working frenetically, I didn’t really have time for problems of the epidermal type, so I became a patient of an amazing Dermatologist, who talked me out of spending £89,000 for a thimbleful of La Prairie moisturiser ( face cream of choice for most models of the time ), and put me on to a line of products by a company called Roche Posay, where the average product costs less than £20, go figure!
Gym Thing
I am a huge exponent of exercise, but do realise that not everyone is with me there, literally. No matter, as I wouldn’t do it either, if I didn’t like it. I love it in a holistic manner. From the moment I’m in the Gym, my Dr Dre’s cuddling my ears, I’m untouchable, unreachable and slightly unstoppable. It’s my time. I plug into the TV monitor on the Treadmill, and hey presto, I’m watching the news, it’s like making a cake whilst someone reads the Newspaper to you, ( as as opposed to never having time to do it for myself ), all the while, toning my legs, and my lungs. Win!
Double Denim
Denim, all things to all people. It’s the time to get out there, in your denim, from any part of your Wardrobe ( One of my favourite places to shop, mine, that is! ). Don’t feel that you have spend tons of money on your Denim fix. It’s definitely in your house, right now, you may not even need to buy a new supply. Do have an tux jacket, tailored jacket, blazer? Good, now put it on with your scrappiest jeans and wear it now 2015 style.
Sneaky Eyeshadow
I do think that as we get older, there is some truth behind the idea that less make up generally gives a more youthful appearance, and vice versa. But there are days when a sneaky bit of eyeshadow can make the difference between ‘ how are you ?’ and, ‘you look great’. But, for me, none of that works if, after an hour of being radiantly lovely, the scene on my face, switches to looking like an extra from one of the Twilight films, with my eyeshadow for blusher.
MRS V
MRS V
My career began in London, then off to Paris, and 24 hours later was shooting ads for Yves St Laurent, who knew? That was it, the start of my Parisienne years, working on a daily basis for high end fashion houses an including, both Christian’s, Lacroix and Dior, Chanel, Versace, Givenchy, Hermes, Jean Paul Gaultier, Chloe and Valentino. I worked with the coolest and best photographers, shooting campaigns for clients like, YSL, L’Air du Temps, Cacharel, Avon and Martini. I shot editorials and covers for French, Italian and British Vogue, Elle, Marie Claire, Tatler, Harpers and Queen, Blitz, Company and Cosmo, Woman’s Journal, and Own and every daily newspaper, taking planes like buses. I have been sensationally fortunate to work with experts in the fashion and beauty industry, who helped me, a tall, skinny redhead, with sensitive skin and freckles, to emerge from the frizz and become a regular on catwalks and appear in editorial for glossy magazines all over the world.
Thirteen years later, back in London, I started having daughters, and when the house was bursting, with our three baby girls, and the prospect of ponies, fields and fresh air looming on the horizon, we moved to Dorset. Properly scary.