How often do you get to sit down with a supermodel for a chat? When we got the chance to dish about fashion and shopping with Frederique, we could barely contain ourselves. The camera shutters stopped, the hot lights went off. What follows is our up-close interview with Frederique.
What are some of your most memorable photo shoots?
Mostly, it’s the ones on location that end up being so fantastic. You travel to places where there aren’t a lot of tourists, so you get to see the world in a very exclusive way. Sometimes it’s the fantastic beaches of St. Bart’s or the Seychelles, or a fashion shoot in Iceland, where the sun never sets and nature is so extreme and beautiful. Or staying for American Vogue in the south of France at Hotel du Cap, one of the most beautiful hotels in the world, and having fantastic dinners.
Another shoot that stood out for me was when I created my own fragrance. Suddenly, I was shooting something that was really about me, something that I had created and where I used myself as a subject. I realized that being on both sides of the camera was great.
One of the most extreme shoots I ever had was with a Japanese client. They had helicopters crashing in a swimming pool and cranes dropping me down the side of buildings in a cat suit. There was also a British Vogue shoot with the jewels of the English royal family. There you are — wearing millions of dollars around your neck. Amazing!
Has your view of beauty changed over the years?
Becoming more of a mature woman, I think beauty is much more about the total package. It’s not just the physical. You learn in life that beauty is really about the person and who this person is. If a person is beautiful on the inside, that will shine through.
Also, I believe that we’re living in a day and age now in which there are many definitions of what is beautiful and it’s truly in the eye of the beholder. However, the fixation with youth is a serious problem.
How and why did you want to get involved in Cover Shot?
I became involved with Cover Shot as a host and producer to show women that what they see when they look at pictures of their favorite models and actresses is the work of a team of people behind the scenes. I wanted to show that a lot of people have the potential to look fabulous if they have the resources.
I was interested in this concept not only as a model, but also as a woman and a mom. I want to help everyday women to discover their strengths and bring these traits out with our team of great hairstylists and makeup artists. Showing these women that they can look fantastic on a cover without surgery is very satisfying and empowering. What also interested me about the series was that I could be involved as a producer — transferring my ideas and experiences from years in fashion onto a television show and empowering women in the process.
How is shooting Cover Shot different from an actual professional photo shoot?
If you were talking about a fashion shoot, you would have a professional model. The great thing about Cover Shot is that we use regular people and make them look like a star or a pro. But we need to explain a lot to them. A woman who suddenly has to sit there and have her hair done for hours is not used to that. And when they’re in front of a camera, the women suddenly have to move their bodies and act in ways that are unusual for them.
It’s very satisfying to work with the Cover Shot team. It feels great to see how you can change one of these women and watch them suddenly gain confidence.
Who are some of your favorite designers today?
Designers I like right now include Ann Demeulemeester, Marni, Costume National, Chloé, Donna Karan and John Galliano.
Would you encourage your child to enter modeling?
No, I wouldn’t. I think it’s very important for a child to stay a child for as long as possible. When she’s in her teenage years, if that’s what she really wants to do, I will guide her along.
Tell us about some of your own clothing lines and what it's like to get involved in that side of the business.
It’s great to use my expertise in fashion and translate that into something for myself. I like to use what I know as a model and combine it with my entrepreneurial spirit and things I learned growing up in Holland, whether it’s for creating a business or a clothing line or using it for charity.
What is some of your advice to women who want to look beautiful? What are some simple ways that overworked and stressed-out women can take time for themselves?
To realize that you need to care for yourself and take a moment to stop is the start. To have a haircut does wonders. Buy yourself a new piece of clothing. Treat yourself to a facial mask or, if you can, a massage or pedicure.
What is it like to spearhead the creative team instead of being the subject that the creative team works on?
I love it. I think it’s great to be able to show these women their beauty and help give them confidence. So often on these programs it’s about how they have to change themselves. It’s great to work with such a creative team and to see their expertise.
Have you faced any challenges with Cover Shot?
In the world of fashion, all the samples are made in sizes 6-8, and since we’re not dealing with sizes 6-8, often it’s really tough to get outfits. So it’s key for us to have a stylist who is resourceful in getting a lot of choices and outfits — that’s not an easy thing.
Can you share any favorite shopping destinations?
I have to admit that I’m not a big shopper. However, living in New York, just walking around, you are constantly being challenged to buy something. I think it's fantastic for women today that they can go on the Internet and find clothing.
What are your favorite items of clothing that you like to wear? Your "must-haves"?
I think accessories are important. I think it’s key for women to always have great shoes and bags. They don’t always have to be brand names, but often a brand name is a better quality.
A great example: In one episode, one of the women said that she really liked high heels but found them hard to wear. She tried on a pair of really good shoes and realized how well she could walk in them. She said, "Oh, I didn’t think I could walk in high heels." Sometimes it just depends on having a great shoe.
My favorite piece of clothing is still a pair of great jeans — and I have quite a few — with a dressier top, a great pair of shoes and a few favorite necklaces.
