3 Model Moms Talk Beauty and Giving Back
Who says beauty is skin deep? Donna Karan's latest fragrance, Donna Karan Woman, has launched an inspiring ad campaign featuring models with two things in common: They have kids and support women's causes. We sat down with Karolina Kurkova, Liya Kebede and Christy Turlington Burns to talk family, charities, and makeup tips. By Victoria Kirby, REDBOOK.
Donna Karan likes women to feel gorgeous and empowered, and she's poured that philosophy into her latest fragrance, Woman. Nearly everyone involved in its creation, from perfumer to bottle designer, is a mother, and the fragrance--a sensual blend of orange flower, vetiver, and sandalwood--launches this month with a hot-mom ad campaign featuring Karolina Kurkova, Liya Kebede, and Christy Turlington Burns. Karan chose the supermodels, who are in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, respectively, because they all have kids and support women- and family-oriented causes: Christy and Liya are working to reduce maternal mortality in developing nations; Karolina is involved in helping families of wounded soldiers. We asked them about their families, passions, and makeup shortcuts.
Q. Why did you want to be part of this fragrance campaign?
Liya: I really admire Donna for creating a fashion empire and then going out and tackling problems in third-world countries. Her energy is contagious.
Karolina: I just loved the idea of being part of a campaign that's all about women. And I really respect Liya and Christy, both as moms and as businesswomen.
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Q. What inspired you to get involved in women's and family causes?
Christy: I started focusing on maternal health after I had a complication delivering my first child. Once I learned how many women die every year from complications related to pregnancy and childbirth, I wanted to bring more awareness to the issue.
Liya: Being from Ethiopia and having two kids, it's so important to me to stop mothers and babies in third-world countries from dying in childbirth.
Karolina: My husband joined the Marines when he was 17 years old, served in the Persian Gulf war, and has worked with wounded veterans firsthand. Helping support their families is something that's very personal to both of us.
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Q. How have your beauty routines changed since becoming moms?
Liya: Mine is definitely more streamlined--mascara, a little eyeliner, and red lipstick are my go-to evening look. And anything that can multitask is key. For instance, I like to pat a bit of clear lip gloss on top of my eyeshadow to make it more dramatic for night.
Karolina: If I'm too tired to deal with any other makeup, I put on lipstick and my whole attitude changes.
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Q. What's your all-time favorite scent?
Christy: Eucalyptus. I grew up in northern California, and in the summers you can smell it everywhere.
Liya: The scent of jasmine in the evening.
Karolina: Honestly, the smell of my [almost 3-year-old] son, Tobin!
The fragrance ad (pictured, from left) features Karolina, Liya, and Christy.The perfume's sleek bottle was inspired by the curves of a woman's body. Donna Karan Woman eau de parfum, $85 for 1.7 oz.
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