As one of the original supermodels of the ’80s and ’90s, Kathy Ireland knows a thing or two about beauty and confidence. The legendary Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover girl, who’s still stunning at age 60, has also long been known as more than just a pretty face.
Since 1993 (way before the dawn of influencers!) she’s been an accomplished entrepreneur, bringing in billions of dollars in retail sales through her brand kathy ireland® Worldwide (kiWW®). kiWW® has had ongoing success in the fashion, home and lifestyle space, and the brand’s most recent project is kathy ireland® beauty by LUMINESS, a skincare line created in partnership with the beauty brand LUMINESS that also happens to be her company’s first-ever beauty deal.
On the occasion of Kathy Ireland’s latest product launch, the multihyphenate businesswoman took some time out of her packed schedule to share her tips for looking and feeling fabulous.
Lessons learned from modeling
While Ireland is now known as an entrepreneur and philanthropist, she’s learned many lessons from her time in the cutthroat world of fashion. “When you work as a model, your job description is basically to just shut up and pose, and people pick you apart no matter what you look like. They will find something wrong with you,” she tells FIRST For Women with a laugh during an exclusive interview for our latest issue (buy yours here!), where she was, of course, our cover model.
While Ireland didn’t appreciate the rejection she faced at the time, today she sees it as “One of the greatest gifts of my long-ago modeling career,” and ultimately drew confidence from the experience of being turned down only to prove her naysayers wrong.
When Ireland first began dreaming up her brand, those in power would often dismiss her due to her supermodel status. Over time, “I learned that what they say is their opinion and that is not where I get my value,” Ireland says. “Someone else’s opinion of me did not define or destroy me,” she adds, and this powerful belief in her abilities gives her a confident glow inside and out.
Aging with positivity and grace
The world of fashion modeling is notorious for prioritizing youth, and Ireland started in the industry when she was still in high school. But today, she has a refreshingly positive view of aging. “It’s a journey and actually I’m enjoying getting older,” she says. “I wouldn’t go back in time for anything. I want to grow with every year. I don’t want to stagnate and as long as I grow, I’m looking forward to old age.”
