As Benjamin Franklin famously said, “If you want something done, ask a busy person.” Just look at Heidi Klum. Not only is she a supermodel times a million, she’s a host on America’s Got Talent and Project Runway. Plus, she’s a devoted mom to four kids.
And if that’s not enough, she recently celebrated the one-year anniversary of her own design line, Truly Scrumptious, for Babies “R” Us. When asked how she manages to do it all, she simply says, “If you love what you do, then you always find the time.” And even with all those irons in the fire, she still has time to fuel her passion for giving back, working closely with organizations like the Red Cross and Save the Children. With that in mind, our favorite multitasker talked to Galavante about her design aesthetic, her passions, and the joy of giving to those in need.
Galavante: What’s the inspiration behind the Babies “R” Us line?
Heidi Klum: I wanted to create fun, comfy, colorful, and easy clothes for kids that don’t have to be dry-cleaned. These are great wash-and-wear fabrics with a sense of spirit. They’re also at a great price point. And I have themes to my designs. For example, I have one theme that is all rainbows, so I have a jacket in rainbow colors. Then I have leggings where one leg is a different color than the other. And for the boys, I have cool T-shirts. I know that I’m out there a little with my line. I push the envelope a little bit. I don’t want to just do basics. I want to do fun things. People will either like my line or they won’t.
Galavante: Were you stylish when you were a child?
Heidi Klum: I was a bit stylish. I would wear a lot of makeup in school. I would do crazy hairdos. My mom gave me perms and highlights way too early. She was a hairdresser and my dad was in the perfume industry. So I always had insight about makeup and hair.
Galavante: After Hurricane Sandy, you volunteered with the Red Cross.
Heidi Klum: My Halloween party was right around that time – actually the day before. I thought, I can’t do a Halloween party when people are suffering. So I decided that I would find sponsors and people to give me things to give away. Babies “R” Us and many amazing people gave us clothes and things that people needed. I did a Santa Claus Halloween party and asked Santa Claus to come with me.
Galavante: Why is it so important for you to give back? Why is that so special for you?
Heidi Klum: There are a lot of people who are in need, and if you can help why wouldn’t you? It’s just natural to do that. I’ve seen some awful things in the world. Last year, I did a trip to Haiti and that’s one of the hardest things for me – like going to a hospital. The children are just miniature. They’re so small. They have no parents. I did a whole diary on my trip there, because it was so awful, and I thought people need to know. But there’s also a lot of people here in America who need help too. That’s why I was involved with Save the Children here in America.
Galavante: We love that giving back is so important to you. How do you teach your kids to give back?
Heidi Klum: I do try to involve them. For example, Johan painted a T-shirt. Then we sold it and the proceeds went to Save the Children.
Galavante: You do America’s Got Talent, Project Runway, and you’re a full-time mom. How do you find the time to do it all?
Heidi Klum: If you love what you do, then you always find the time. Also, I don’t sit at home and rack my brain and think, oh my gosh, I have to come up with something. It’s more the other way around – they can’t keep up with my ideas I have. Sometimes I’ll see someone down the street and have to take a photo to see what they’ve got going on that I’ve seen in Europe. I saw this one girl with a hoodie with her shoulders coming out. I thought, I have to take a picture of this – it’s so cool. I don’t know what I’m going with it. Maybe a year down the line, I’ll see it incorporated in some way.
Galavante: What’s your favorite thing to do in New York?
Heidi Klum: I like to go to the theater with my kids. Also, it’s nice to just walk around and window-shop in the city.
Interview by Jeryl Brunner
(Photo credits: WireImage)
