Q&A: Karolina Kurkova

The supermodel, 32, on Brazilian models, being a Victoria’s Secret angel, and who makes the sexiest clothes in fashion

A sex symbol – are you kidding? Growing up in the Czech Republic, I was never that girl. I was sporty, good in school, never wore anything short. All I wanted to do was fit in, but as the tallest girl in the class, with extremely long arms and legs and big, BIG teeth, I stood out – just not for the best reasons. Miuccia Prada discovered me in 1999, when I was 15. I was the exclusive girl and opened the show. The whole collection was made on me in Milan two weeks before the show. It was the first time people in the industry saw me. I’m still the youngest girl ever to be on the cover of American Vogue. I was 16 when I did my first cover with Steven Meisel in 2000 wearing Louis Vuitton, walking and laughing – I hated showing my big teeth! Sexy is… inner peace, confidence, happiness, elegance and grace. You could be completely covered up – it’s the way you move, walk, talk… Working for Victoria’s Secret, I didn’t know how to be in underwear and be sexy, it wasn’t natural to me; I was more of a sensual, shy, sporty girl. I had to embrace it and learn how to do it. It’s funny how on photoshoots we still look back at legendary beauties for inspiration. My favourites? Brigitte Bardot, Marilyn Monroe, Sophia Loren, Raquel Welch and Liz Taylor. They remain a mystery. Insecure, me? Yes, you can’t help it. I was like these girls are unbelievable, wow, they’re amazing, their bodies, their confidence. I’m not like all those Brazilian girls that grew up on the beach in a bikini! I’m Czech – we don’t have a beach! To model sexy you’ve got to create the mood, channel the music – music always helps – hair and make-up, clothes, lighting, the energy in the room, and the camera – I always put a human touch to the camera. To me the camera is a person, always. And you have to

draw from real experience – I mean, I don’t go through a pose book! It’s the small little things.

If I try to do sexy at home with my husband, he laughs. My sexy bedroom outfit would be – nothing! It’s how you move and talk, not what you wear.

My favourite model to hang out with is Tereza Maxová [pictured together, far left]. I never really worked with lots of other girls, it’s only when you do the shows you meet up. If I wasn’t a model what would I be? Anthropologist? Something in metaphysics? Singing? Acting? I suppose expressing myself…

My 3 handbag essentials – Floral Spray Mist by Sisley, my special water bottle, and my notepad, for writing and drawing.