Keeping Up With Candice Swanepoel – V Magazine
If you are one of the nearly 20 million people that follow model Candice Swanepoel, then you certainly can tell that there’s no slowing Candice down anytime soon. The model muse, mother, and entrepreneur has been actively unveiling new projects every so often, such as fronting global fashion campaigns and magazine covers, surprise television appearances, and even dropping stunning visuals for her swimwear line,Tropic of C, it’s been a wild ride keeping up with Swanepoel as she documents her next moves for her loyal followers to catch.
Ahead of the summer season, V caught up with Candice to chat about all things fashion, parenting, and her efforts for a more sustainable approach to living.
V Magazine: You were just on an episode of Netflix’s Next in Fashion with Gigi Hadid and Tan France! What was that experience like being asked to guest judge the swimwear competition? Would you ever think about doing more television shows like that, maybe down the line?
Candice Swanepoel: Yes, I would probably enjoy being part of filming a show of some sort, I had such a great time filming, I was honored to be invited by the team, and bring my expertise to that segment of the show. Gigi [Hadid] has always been a wonderful supporter of my career and filming with her was especially fun.
As a young girl, I was obsessed with watching American idol and talent shows that enabled new artists to have their moment in the spotlight, there is something so beautiful to me about the raw emotion of it all. I love a success story. It always touched me.
V: Now with about four years of ‘Tropic of C’ under your belt, what are some lessons and experiences that you’ve learned from now dealing with the business of swimwear? How do you think the brand has helped you flex your creative muscle?
CS: My creative muscle is something I can’t deny, even when I’m overwhelmed. It is also why I still love what I do, as creativity is one of the ways I process life or mirror it or inspire it. I think I was born with a specific vision and it pleases me to share it with people who will connect and appreciate it. Creativity and business are two very separate things and I’ve had to learn to be a fearless businesswoman but I’ve always loved a challenge.
There are ups and downs, struggles and victories, but I do love it, and I’m mostly just proud of the community we’ve built. To see something just as a vision in my mind and then see it come to life is extremely satisfying. Starting a business helped me find other voices I never knew I had in me.
V: Why was there such a strong emphasis on sustainability and ethical production for the products?
CS: I have always been passionate about nature, and being connected to a greater consciousness, so I have a great respect for it. Anyone that has followed my journey would know that’s a huge part of my essence. I grew up understanding that we are all energy and that whatever you put out in the world comes back around. I always asked myself how we can better live as part of one big ecosystem, it’s definitely much bigger than we can comprehend but as long as I’m doing what I can do to be better or inspiring other brands to do the same, it makes me happy. It was only natural for me to find a way to be proud of what the continuation of my story would be. Having children makes you think about your impact on a much greater level too. I wanted to do something that wasn’t being done—where there is a will there is a way, and now it is becoming the norm, which is a huge leap in the right direction.
V: The fashion industry itself is ever-evolving, and the focus on models changes with it–while you’re no stranger to motherhood, how have you managed to strike a balance between giving your children your undivided attention but also keeping the flame of your career with modeling and running the swimwear business still burning as bright? Have you found the challenges of a work/life balance to be a bit overwhelming at times?
CS: Life is a constant search for balance, for me at least, and yes I do sometimes feel overwhelmed, but I’m very in tune with my children’s needs, then my own personal needs which are also important. Sometimes it’s easy to forget. I’ve realized to be a better mother, I know I need to also take care of myself, whether that be about my [physical] health or mental health, or being able to excel in my career and business because it brings me joy and so my children have begun to understand that too. I think it’s very healthy and important for them to see everything I do. One of my most vivid memories as a child was seeing my father wake up at 4 am to take care of our farm and his dedication and drive is something that is now part of me and something I hope they will learn from me.
It’s all about intuition and gut feelings for me, everything is constantly changing, my children are growing up and that requires a different kind of attention, my business is growing up and the same goes for that. It’s not all planned, it’s purely what I feel is right and healthy for myself and my family and also both careers.
V: From walking Paris Fashion Week for Vivienne Westwood to being crowned as the new face of Anne Klein, what has been keeping you motivated lately to keep going?
CS: What keeps me motivated is my curiosity to learn and experience life and all it has to teach and offer, that in-turn fuels my need to create. The projects and brands I’m involved with always trust my vision so it’s a collaboration at the end of the day and being able to collaborate and make something I’m proud of together with a great group of people, all with their own unique experience—these are the things that continue to inspire and drive me.
V: With summer fast approaching, what are you hoping that the summer will bring for you?
CS: Summer to me is being surrounded by great people and friends. It’s about delicious fresh food, sun, sea, and rest, being able to let go of schedules and let loose in a new and exciting place, laughing, and making memories with people I love or people I am yet to love is the perfect summer in my mind.
Photography Greg Swales
Fashion Leila Bani
Interview Kevin Ponce
Hair Dimitri Giannetos using L’Oréal Paris
Makeup Barbara Moura
Digital Technician Amanda Yanez
Lighting Technician Yolanda Learney
DP Chevy Tyler
Hair Assistance Luca Pagani
Styling Assistance Michelle Ball
RELATED LINKS
Photoshoots > Greg Swales – V Magazine
Candice Swanepoel stars in a new ad for Estee Lauder Re-Nutriv Ultimate Diamond Sculpted Transformation Creme
RELATED LINKS
Screen Captures > Campaigns > 2023 > Re-Nutriv | Ultimate Diamond Sculpted Transformation Creme
Consolidated internationally, the full look brand of the Arezzo & Co Group, house of brands in Brazil, continues the successful partnership with the model, who has just walked the runway in the launch weeks in Europe and is in the second season of the world program on fashion produced by Netflix. For Winter 23, the brand interpreted the main trends in striking shapes and powerful materials, such as metals, resulting in a mix of pieces synonymous with attitudes that permeate the universe of speed lovers
Exactly 30 days ago, the Schutz flagship store , on Madison Avenue, in New York, was the epicenter of celebrations for the continuation of the label ‘s beautiful performance in the international market. CEO of the Arezzo&Co Group and creator of Schutz, Alexandre Birman , toasted with friends, brand lovers and the brand’s team the operations in the American market – it’s been 10 years of consolidation in the United States, with own stores in the Big Apple, Los Angeles and Miami, beyond e-commerce – and the synergy with NYFW and its 70 brands showcasing collections. And these last days are also of great joy for the South African supermodel Candice Swanepoel , who walked the runway at Paris Fashion Week, is in the second season of Next In Fashion, available on Netflix worldwide, and is the protagonist of Schutz’s Winter 2023 campaign, which made history in Brazilian fashion by stamping the seal as one of the first accessory brands to broaden the horizon for a full look proposal , and permeated by its authorality, premium design, engagement in global movements and synonymous with a desired lifestyle.
I have already pointed out here that Candice Swanepoel is passionate about Brazil. Since 2006, when she came to our country for the first time to model, she loved to “try out” some words in Portuguese. Time has passed and Candice now comes almost annually to Brazilian lands, where she says she has “a little bit of the soul” of our country. She is the mother of Anacã and Ariel , the result of her relationship with fellow model Hermann Nicoli and the children were born in Espírito Santo. Yeah, Candice is in yet another partnership in Schutz campaigns. After showing all the beauty in the brand’s High Summer 2023 packaged by the “ Your Scape For High Summer ” concept; the glow in “ Holiday To Remember“, in perfect alchemy of the end of the year festivities, and presenting Pre Fall 2023 “ Back to the city ”, with the emphasis on the multiculture of the New York city, we can see her chameleonic starting the Winter 2023 campaign, whose concept “ Always on the go ”, translates the urban, bold (daring, courageous) and contemporary style.
The supermodel also has a beautiful job as a global ambassador for mothers2mothers, an institution that develops projects in Africa to achieve an HIV-free generation of children and mothers. She, who, throughout her consecrated career, walked in fashion weeks in the New York-Milan-Paris-London circuit, as well as in other countries around the world and graced the covers of the American, Italian and Japanese editions of “Vogue” , “ Harper’s Bazaar ”, “GQ”, “ Allure ”… he emphasizes that he still loves Bahia for the strength of the synergy with South Africa. “One of the most incredible places in the world”, she revealed when she witnessed the tribute to Iemanjá and Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes for the first time, on February 2, in Salvador.
The campaign was located in a warehouse and the creative direction is signed by master Giovanni Bianco . The photos were taken by Fernando Thomaz and stylist in charge of Renata Corrêa . Giovanni has a huge connection with Schutz, in addition to the entire Arezzo&Co Group, of course. Alexandre Birman always dreamed of creating his own brand, also aimed at the international market. “But here, at Oscar Freire, 944, is where it all began. When I saw this place, I fell in love. I didn’t have any stores yet and the place was huge. So, talking to Giovanni Bianco , creative director of the Group’s various campaigns, I asked: ‘Giovanni, I really wanted to have a store on Oscar Freire, but I’m still small’. And he said: ‘Alê, there is an incredible wave of temporary store . Make a temporary store and then you’ll see. It’s like an art gallery, all white.’ The renovation was done in two months and the pop store was full.
Schutz takes a plural look at its customers, who are the protagonists Schutz Lovers. Disruptive and approach processesimplanted in all areas of the company were essential to understand tastes, behavior and always invest in innovation and integration. Generation Z, of course, is also under Schutz’s radar. Alexandre Birman founded the brand himself, which started as a pop up store in the heart of São Paulo and gained repercussion and recognition from North to South of the country and in the international market. “I am very proud to see Schutz transform into a lifestyle brand. Arezzo&Co has both feet in women’s clothing. Over its 26 years, Schutz has built a positioning that goes far beyond a brand of shoes and bags, imprinting its own DNA and a lifestyle desired by Schutz Lovers. It achieved international visibility, taking its identity to the world, in addition to relevant global campaigns and movements. The Schutz woman is connected to the spirit of her time and, above all, free to be whoever she wants.” production.
IMMERSION IN THE WINTER 2023 COLLECTION
For the season, the brand interpreted the main fashion trends in shapes inspired by the aesthetics of those passionate about powerful vehicles. The striking lines and materials, such as metals, result in a mix of desired pieces. Attitude, trend, irreverence and style are characteristics of the brand and are present in this collection.
With the potential to be fully present in women’s lives, the clothing section also follows the “ always on the go ” aesthetic, with a glam touch, of course. The mix of pieces features shirts, pants, a trench coach coat and shorts, all made with impeccable finishing and fabrics that were selected in a way that unites the Schutz essence, such as leather and stripes inspired by the aesthetics of the brand’s first factories.
RELATED LINKS
Advertisement & Campaigns > 2023 > Schutz [Fall]
At Vogue Brasil, the March issue is equivalent to the September issue in the northern hemisphere, the month when new collections arrive in stores and a moment of extreme excitement about what lies ahead. Instead of viral looks or many trends, brands have increasingly delved into their identities, DNA and heritage, as we show in #VogueMarch’s “Vale Tudo” editorial, with the most important looks of the international summer 2023 dressed by the south-western model african @candiceswanepoel. More details at vogue.com.br
The magazine is available for purchase on e-commerce and at selected @Amaro stores and on Instagram’s Instashop (with delivery only in Greater São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, Brasília, Porto Alegre, Campinas) – just click on the link de bio to receive at your home. Subscribers can now check out the magazine’s digital edition in its entirety via the @globomais app. Guarantee your magazine also on the best newsstands from the 13/2th!
Foto: @lufreee
Direção de arte: @juliakoala
Direção de moda: @ritalazzarotti
Beleza: @henriquem85
Produção executiva: @deialansky
Assistentes de foto: @gabrielgimenesph e @pradellapedro
Produção de moda: @annikazevedo e @ferrarijeff
Assistentes de beleza: @juliocardim_beauty and @riccardoleal
Nail artist: @robertamunis
Set Design: @jeanlabanca
Assistente set design: @felipsouzas
Retouch: @telhacriativa
Camareira: Dulce Barbosa
Agradecimento: @tavola42
Modelo: @candiceswanepoel from @waymodel
Look: @maisonvalentino
Candice Swanepoel announced on Monday, March 6th, her new project: the new Elie Saab Elixir fragrance.
Launching in early 2023, Elixir represents a new pillar fragrance of the Elie Saab opus, announced as a love potion that sparkles with sensuality. According to the brand, it iis imagined as the love potion of a powerful, deeply sensual and magnetic woman.
The floral-ambery composition is brightened by a sparkling duo of neroli and mandarin. At its heart, the orris from Lebanon is combined with a love accord, “an olfactive creation that recreates a powerful emotion of attachment and seduction.” The base is carnal with ambery facets of myrrh and benzoin to warm the composition.
Top: mandarin essence, neroli essence
Heart: iris, love accord
Base: amber woods, myrrh, benzoinThe new bottle is shaped like a faceted sphere. The bottle cap is golden and engraved with the monogram of the house of Elie Saab.
Elixir is available as a 30, 50, and 100 ml Eau de Parfum.
Available at John Lewis.
Review by Sanja Pekić at Fragrantica
RELATED LINKS
The second season of Next In Fashion is currently available to stream on Netflix worldwide. Candice Swanepoel appears on the swimwear challenge, on the seventh episode of the show.
Gigi Hadid introduced her with the following words:
Our special guest judge is somebody, that knows swimwear more than most.
Tonight we will be welcoming one of the most iconic Victoria’s Secret Angels of all time. The sensation swimwear icon, and my personal girl crush, Candice Swanepoel.
Later on the episode Tan France and Gigi Hadid re introduced her:
Also joining us for the runway tonight, is a swimwear superstar.
She has sizzled and shined, in countless swimwear shoots, and she is one of the most iconic, Victoria’s Secret Angels of all time.
There are very few people in the world, that know bikinis better.
Please give a warm welcome to Candice Swanepoel.
Stream the show now on Netflix.
RELATED LINKS
Screen Captures > TV Shows > Next In Fashion – 2×07 Swimwear Challenge
I was teased for my weight and felt awkward about my body – motherhood made see it’s ‘beauty’, model Candice Swanepoel.
VICTORIA’S Secret promoted a very specific type of ‘ideal body’ for years, leaving many women feeling they couldn’t live up to the standard.
But one of the lingerie brand’s most famous models admits she had similar insecurities to the rest of us – and struggled to love her body.
Candice Swanepoel, who hails from South Africa and lives in New York, starred in the world-famous catwalk show from 2007 to 2018.
Now a philanthropist and business owner, the 34-year-old model reveals she was actually teased for her body in school – but motherhood helped her feel “more beautiful”.
Speaking exclusively to The U.S. Sun, as a new ambassador for Anne Klein, she says: “In my teens I was extremely thin, and got teased for it, which is the case for many models.
“At that time it was the formula for finding new girls that were awkward in their teens but by the time they hit 20 had grown into their bodies, and had a few years of experience in the industry.
“Many people believe we have a certain confidence in our genetics but most of us still sometimes feel like that awkward teen.
“It’s a job at the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what I think of my body on that specific day, as long as my client is happy, I’m happy.
“I’m there to deliver and play a role and that’s also how I coped with shyness in the very beginning.”
Today, Candice is mother to sons Ariel, four, and Anaca, six, her children with fellow model and ex-fiance.
Asked whether she feels more or less confident modelling in a bikini since becoming a mom, Candice says: “Not really.
“I am normal so we all have good days and bad days, but my body has made two little miracles, carried me around the world and enabled me to experience life so intensely that I’m grateful.
“Instead of picking myself apart on bad angles or changes here and there, I prefer to remember how much my body has endured over the years and the gifts that are my children.”
In total, Candice walked in 11 VS shows, only missing the 2016 year because she was pregnant.
Months after giving birth, she was back posing in the 2017 show.
Likewise Miranda Kerr, Lily Aldridge, Adriana Lima, Heidi Klum, and Doutzen Kroes all returned to the catwalk after giving birth.
Of her return to the catwalk post-baby, Candice says: “It’s definitely a process, whether you’re a model or not.
“I think perhaps we are used to putting ourselves out there, no matter what the opinion of others is.
“Once you become a mother, your priorities completely change.
“I loved all the different phases of my body after birth and during my pregnancies. I think I felt more beautiful, actually.
“I was lucky to work with people I’d known since my twenties, so it was a safe space and I also became more selective with my time and energy.
“The hardest part for me was having to travel away from them (my children), so for a time I chose not to take jobs where I had to travel.”
These days, Candice‘s focus is on her swimwear brand Tropic of C.
She says: “After five years of the brand, I’ve learned a lot – I was not a businesswoman five years ago, but today I can tell you I am.”
Asked what are the biggest lessons she’s learned, Candice says: “Never compromise on your vision, there can be many distractions and difficulties but where there is a will there is a way.
“Never be bullied into anything – in the beginning I would sit in meetings and take advice from the wrong people because I felt insecure about my knowledge of business.
“But the only way to really learn is by doing and making those types of mistakes – there is no formula to success.
“I believe in my company and I am passionate about what I do, and that’s the most important ingredient.”
Candice says Tropic of C is a “pioneering company for swimwear in the sustainable space”.
“I’m proud of the community we have built, seeing and hearing great reviews is always gratifying.
“The amount of returning customers is always a good gauge on the quality of your products,” she says.
“The consumer is now more conscious. And hopefully my influence through my brand aided in that awareness.”
When she’s not running her business, Candice is passionate about philanthropic causes – particularly her work with Africa based Mothers2Mothers.
She says: “They raise funds for social support and medication for pregnant women with HIV, getting them the medication that stops the transfer of the virus from mother to child.
“They also train women who have been through the same situation to work as mentors, helping these women emotionally and how to deal with it socially.
“It really is a wonderful cause and became especially close to my heart after my own pregnancies.”
After many years in the public eye, Candice still very much has her youthful glow.
She says: “The secret is maintenance.
“Since I was a teen, in the years when all my peers would have been out all night partying, I already understood the importance of a good diet, a skin routine, a good amount of sleep.
“Unfortunately society doesn’t like to see models or actresses or musicians age, and I think this is something that is changing, not everything needs to be ‘fixed’.
“I find it beautiful to see a bit of life on someone’s face, in their expressions, laugh lines.. aging gracefully is the secret.”
Candice was recently announced as an ambassador for Anne Klein, which is celebrating 55 years in business.
She says: “Anne Klein has been a huge influence on women’s fashion since the 70’s.
“When I think of the brand, I think iconic, classic, and chic.
“Anne Klein the designer was a trailblazer in women’s fashion and as a businesswoman.
“So as a founder of my own brand, it is a huge inspiration to see what Anne Klein represents today.
“I’m just happy to work with likeminded companies whose values intertwine with my own.”
