Kathy Ireland on life, career and everything in between
There is plenty to say about Kathy Ireland, the American-born modeling sensation who scaled the ranks of the fashion industry in the 80s and 90s to become one of the top models of her day. The fashion icon who graced 13 consecutive Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, including three covers, has sold more products and aspirational fantasies than any of her contemporaries.
Ireland is the quintessential ‘modelpreneur,’ considered one of the wealthiest former models in the same firmament as Gisele Bundchen, Cindy Crawford and Heidi Klum, but she is without doubt the most un-celebrity celebrity. To describe her most succinctly, she is the most ordinary extraordinary person one could ever met, she knows herself, knows the basics of what makes her feel happy and acts accordingly. With a warmth and calm, behind her almost perfect classic beauty, there is something utterly compelling about her. It is a beauty that is as arresting as it was then, today’s 52 year old running metaphorical circles around the 20 something version of yesteryear.
Born in Glendale, California, the daughter of a California labor union organizer and a charity worker, she was scouted by Elite modeling agency. She went on to produce an impressive portfolio, going from ingenue to glamazon within a few years. Her most famous cover was Sports Illustrated’ 25th anniversary in 1989, which last year, SI declared as ‘the Greatest Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover of All Time’. Long before she was a model Ireland was an entrepreneur. As a child, she worked a paper route, a job she got after writing the paper to say she was ‘the girl’ for it. ‘When I applied for the job I told the Editor, I’m not a boy, but I can do this job as well as any boy. Every year that I had the route I won career of the year for our district,’ she says. ‘My dad told me, ‘if the customer expects the paper on the driveway, put it on the front porch’. Under promise and over deliver.’
Given how comfortable she is in her own skin being a businesswoman than a model, modeling then, seems something of a leap, though no one was as incredulous about it than Ireland herself. ‘The modeling career lasted longer than anyone expected. I was always an entrepreneur. Was never comfortable earning a living based on someone else’s perception of my appearance.’
Ireland looks back with mixed emotions on her modeling fame, which isn’t to suggest she considers it as a precursor to her success as an entrepreneur. ‘Without the modeling career, our company might have been much more successful, she elaborates. ‘With the modeling background people have preconceptions…they put you in a box. Enenimity is a great gift. Your ideas speak for themselves without baggage.’
Case in point: Elizabeth Taylor – one of Ireland’s inspirational mentors, caused her to look at life, business, design, philanthropy with new set of eyes. And perhaps her career might have ended at 30, if she hadn’t been smart enough to hang up her bikini to become a businesswoman, encompassing her licensing company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide which she launched in 1993, producing a series of workout videos and writing six books. While every model wants a fashion line, Ireland chose to skip the glamorous stuff and built an empire by lending her name and taste on seemingly random household items for families, especially busy moms. ‘The entrepreneurial skills preceded the modeling career. I was always investing, trying and failing in businesses until Kathy Ireland Worldwide.’ she concludes.
Ireland’s approach to her craft is old school. No stranger to criticism throughout her career, she reacts calmly and, after receiving it, looks at it, weighs it out and who is it coming from. ‘If the person criticizing you is someone who truly cares about you, you’d be unwise not to pay attention,’ she explains. ‘Sometimes cruel criticism comes from someone who doesn’t know you…still if it is true, course correct, thank them and move on with your new information.’
That self awareness made Ireland the enduring icon she remains today. ‘Today, it’s clear that modeling was a catalyst for becoming a designer, a voice for people who are not being heard,’ she continues. ‘Modeling introduced me to a world of fashion and personalities who were unlike anyone I met before. It was a fascinating journey and helped prepare for the launch of Kathy Ireland Worldwide. However, being a business person? That feels very comfortable. The responsibility is intense and I love it.’
Ever since the early nineties, when she turned her fame into a licensing operation, Ireland has been building a career that has endured now for twenty two years and has made a fortune by turning everything into a branding opportunity. Her realness has always been her great power as she embodies reality – a mother, a philanthropist, a leader, a true class act. In 2015, Forbes ranked her 33rd on its first ever ranking of America’s top 50 most successful women as measured by their net worth’s. Ireland was the only licensing queen and the only former model to make the exclusive freshman class of the nation’s richest self-made women, which includes entrepreneurs, CEOs, entertainers, designers and even an author.
With a $420 million fortune that comes from the value of her licensing company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide, she has expanded her business with recent ventures into skincare, and now has her own publishing imprint, Bendon, which produces children’s books, toys and puzzle. With more than 17,000 products estimated revenues now top $2.5 billion at retail, compared to $2 billion in 2012. However, Ireland maintains that her brand remains an infant and has a long way to go. ‘There are so many categories that we do not have. We grow continually,’ she explains. ‘There is no rigid strategy order for which product to decide for next. We are always open to a great idea. If we weren’t it would have been impossible to build our company. Our customers let us know what they want. Then, we have our marching orders.’
Philanthropy is important to Ireland and the next challenge for her is a big one. She and her team continue to work on the Eight Millennium Development Goals of the UN. ‘When you have the privilege of traveling the world, it opens our eyes to beauty and sadness. It’s important to help with intention and with consideration of consequences,’ she says. ‘I also hope these goals will inspire readers as they inspire our team, every day.’
Ireland is realistic about not trying to have it all. As a wife and mother of three who runs a multi-billion dollar company, she is resolute about making time for her family. ‘Making family time a priority is the only way it could ever work. When driving one of our children to school, that’s bubble time. The phone goes off. The radio goes off and we talk. Mealtimes are our catch up times. We screen many of our phone calls at home. We get back…but not always quickly,’ she says. ‘Our children are growing so fast. My husband and I don’t want to miss anything. We love going to the beach, bicycling, hiking, reading, laughing and learning together. Children are amazing teachers.’
When other young models ask for Ireland’s advice, she tells them ‘Know your boundaries. Be respectful. Be on time. Stay calm while everyone else is stressed out,’ she says. ‘Much of the work I booked was because I was reliable. No drama. People also knew, if I felt uncomfortable, I’d walk away. Never compromise yourself or your own morality for the sake of a job. Always save money from any work you do and always have a plan B. Never be desperate.’
Rather than her glamorous career, it is the no-frills side of her life that people appreciate the most. Beloved by homemakers across America, Ireland is aspirational and relatable. ‘I hope I’ve made some impact to women of the next generation by asking them to follow their dreams. Look at their failures in a positive way, and then change it. Allow the rejections to give perseverance,’ she says. ‘We have to say no to good things in order to say yes to great things. When I meet young women they frequently say, they appreciate my candor and that they are inspired by our work. That feels good!.’
It is not hard to connect the young girl with a paper route, with a leader and business mentor for other women. In part, that’s down to her talent for becoming someone else so entirely that her own character is completely subsumed. But more than that, it’s because Ireland is an entrepreneur, not a model. And an even brighter star because of it. She doesn’t know the meaning of ‘hands off’ and is known for her thoughtful decisiveness. She’s also supremely in control, in the boardroom, in her role as CEO and Chief Designer of Kathy Ireland. The pared-back approach applies to her personal style, too. It reminds me of a quote of hers: ‘If you’re not being rejected regularly, maybe you’re not trying hard enough.’
Ireland is no pushover. Driven, smart and endearingly upbeat, there’s an interesting contrast in her. She tells a story about overcoming adversity, something she has done many times in her life. The Bohemian spirit she’d nurtured in herself as that young girl is very evident till today in her eyes. She tries to seek out the BEST in every situation and considers faith as the cornerstone of her life, describing at length her belief : ‘Let rejection fuel you forward. Learn that criticism is a sweet gift wrapped in an often nasty package. Don’t let anyone’s opinion of you or your goals define or destroy you.’
It is that description that finally helps me nail what it is about Ireland that so enthralls. She is a vivid beauty; independent, following her own passions rather than the whims of others. Kathy Ireland chooses with her heart, and that’s something we can all relate to.
by
Clinton
This article first appeared in the Spring/Summer 2016 issue of LOVEFMD magazine.
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