Celebrity Interview - Jodie Kidd - Comments

Jodie Kidd

Poster: H! Society 10/06/2008

FORMER SUPER MODEL JODIE KIDD, NOW A DEDICATED FUND-RAISER, SPEAKS TO ANNABEL MILNES-SMITH ABOUT THE CONINUING WORK OF HER CHARITABLE FOUNDATION It is not often that you meet a world famous model who, at the tender age of 29, has decided to move away from a glittering and hugely profitable catwalk career to concentrate on giving hundreds, if not thousands, of people a better chance in life. Well this is precisely what Jodie has embarked upon; aptly named The Jodie Kidd Foundation.

So what inspired you to set it up? “Basically over the years I have had so many different requests to help a wide range of charities I decided it would be wonderful to set up my own, looking after three organisations that are close to my heart, and become the patron of the foundation. That is how it all started.

What are the charities? “First, Greatwood, which looks after special needs children through the therapy of ex-racehorses that have been rescued and then rehabilitated. Basically Greatwood is an amazing place where children come along and learn to look after and ride them. When you own a horse it takes a vast amount of discipline. Research from Southampton University has discovered that horses have an amazing effect on children, rather like dolphins.”

Is there one child in particular in your mind who has been helped enormously? “Yes, six-year-old Jake Taylor, who suffers from epilepsy. He hardly communicates by speech, but his outlook has been transformed since he went to Greatwood, two years ago. As Jake’s mother Denise explained, ‘So far his speech has not improved but that will come. Looking after the horse has meant he is achieving a task and has given him a sense of peace and importance. He stands taller and prouder now.’“The second charity we help is The Monsoon Accessorize Trust, which was set up in 1994 to celebrate their 21st birthday. It helps improve the lives of women and children, with projects focusing on education, healthcare and income generation, as well as projects to alleviate poverty in Asia. The third is the NSPCC, the UK’s leading charity specialising in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children.”

Your next event is your annual Charity Golf Classic at the legendary Goodwood Estate in West Sussex. You raised a staggering £100,000 in your first year. What celebrities have you attending this year and what plans are in store for the guests? “We have already had confirmation from Ronan Keating, Dougray Scott, Mike Rutherford, Ross Kemp, Jamie Redknapp; a mixture of television personalities and sportsmen. The day will be a golf tournament with the celebrities participating. It will end with a gala dinner and fund-raising auction.”

How much do you hope to raise? “Last year’s event was phenomenal with the amount we raised, especially as it was our inaugural one. We were over the moon and people had the most wonderful experience, and their generosity was overwhelming at the auction. We were really lucky. Our target is £100,000 but if we can beat that it will be incredible.” Jodie’s modelling career began at a mere 16 years of age, when she was discovered by photographer Terry O’Neill. Her ultra slim figure led people to believe she was anorexic and thus a bad role model for the younger generation. Subsequently Jodie swiftly departed from the scene for eight months and returned a size 8. In my dreams! Since then her magazine front covers have included Elle in America, Singapore, Portugal, Italy and Sweden, British Vogue, The Face and Tatler. Numerous television advertising campaigns have included Chanel, Chloe, Ghost, Motorola, Yves St. Laurent, Jasper Conran, Karl Lagerfeld, Valentino and Alexander McQueen.

You still remain one of the most famous faces in the modelling world, even though you are in semi-retirement. What do you think of the current size zero issue?“It is so difficult because designers want to use girls who are very young. When I began I was six foot two, and when I was between 15 and 18 I was still growing into my body, so I was very tall and very skinny. Once I grew older I filled out and became a size 12. So I see it more of an age issue than a size zero one.”

How did you feel being so tall while so young? Did you find it an advantage or disadvantage?“My last year at school I grew seven inches in one year, which was terrifying. It was a real pain in the arse because every time we were doing something naughty in the playing fields, I was always the one that was spotted and singled out.”

What is the best and worst time you have had modelling? “It really is an amazing career. I am just turning thirty and I have a house, a car and a great foundation. My work has opened so many doors and avenues for me. I have had many highlights, including opening shows to wearing the most incredible clothes and shooting with the best photographers all over the world. The downside, I would say, is you get a lot of rejection. Every day I was up for campaigns and different shoots and 90 per cent of those I did not get.”

How do you cope with that? “You just have to learn it is nothing to do with you. It’s usually because they don’t want a blonde but a brunette or they want someone shorter. I just had to learn not to take it personally but it is very hard dealing with the rejection, on an almost daily basis. That was very tough, but I was more or less working every day despite that.”

What campaigns are you working on at the moment? “I have several TV projects in the pipeline at the moment and continue working on my sister Jemma’s make up campaign, which I am the face of.”

You also recently released The Ultimate Bikini Guide with Jemma. What advice would you give to those sun-drenched beauties in Marbella? “In Marbella they all wear tiny wee skinny bikinis. Nowadays we are fortunate that people can buy beautiful bikinis from the high street to high fashion; there is so much choice. However, I think the most important thing is to look after your skin; not to get completely burnt and always make sure you are wearing a factor cream. It is blooming hot down there and the sun is very strong. It is so important to wear a sunscreen.”

You are a great polo player like your brother Jack. Is there much rivalry? “No, because he is much better than me. I know Jack has played in Sotogrande and I really want to come down and play there. It has been somewhere that I have almost come down to a few times but have never had the time.”

To your preferences in life, what are your favourite make-up products? “It has to be the whole of my sister’s collection, Jemma Kidd Make Up. She does an amazing bronzer which is non-shimmery and gives me a beautiful glow. I also never leave home without my eight hour cream. I also love an American product called LA Luscious from California. It is a coconut body cream mousse. I would like to put my hands in it and eat it rather than put it on my body.”

With all these beauty products, together with your natural stunning good looks and equally beautiful personality, what about your love life?“There is a man in my life. Not famous. Lovely, amazing and not in my industry. He is great. He is called Thomas and I met him skiing.”

What other projects have you got lined up? “I am designing my own fashion collection for an online company called www.oli.co.uk, which is great fun. I am still designing my own golf shoes for a company called Hi Tec. I really love the designing aspect as I have spent so many years showing off these garments; it’s really nice that I can now put my opinion through but along the sporting collection lines. I am thinking of starting up an equestrian line. All very exciting.” Exciting, I feel is an understatement. What more can this magnificent beauty conjure up? Jodie will always make her mark wherever she goes and whatever she touches. I feel sure that The Jodie Kidd Foundation will undoubtedly beat its target this year. With Jodie at the healm, there is absolutely no doubt. Toodle Pip!

■ For more information on The Jodie Kidd Foundation Annual Golf Classic 2008, including tickets, partnership and VIP Amateur packages, visit: www.thejodiekiddfoundation.co.uk

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