I was given a maternity bra on my first job because of my boobs – now I love my curvy body, says Kelly Brook
SHE has modelled for nearly three decades but Kelly Brook never felt part of the skinny-obsessed world of fashion.
The 42-year-old, who is also an actress and radio host, believes her curvaceous figure was a barrier to getting work, as fashion bosses wanted slimmer models.
She says: “I always felt a bit of an outsider, not quite involved in the party in a way. I think a lot of women felt like that for many years.
“Working with fashion brands is always something I have loved but not all of them were always open to me because of my shape.
“I was very curvy and not what was considered a fashionable shape.
“The fashion industry has changed so much, even buying glamorous sets of underwear and swimwear used to be impossible if you were over a C cup.
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“I remember my first fitting. I was given a maternity bra and I was only around 14.
“It was not a nice feeling, I actually think it was a minimiser.”
‘Real woman’
Kelly adds: “I’m 43 at the end of this month and I think it’s important clothes cater to all shapes, sizes and ages as well.”
No stranger to being photographed, Kelly gets papped six days a week as she arrives for her radio show at Heart’s studios in London’s Leicester Square.
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But she doesn’t feel the need to glam up.
She says: “I don’t have a stylist, I try to dress like a real woman in a real situation.
“I feel if you have a stylist it just looks a little too put together and I don’t think people wear clothes like that in real life.
“I think you lose your sense of style and it’s quite a lot to upkeep six days a week, so you’ll very rarely see me going into work in a heel.”
Known for flashing the flesh back in the Nineties, Kelly prioritises wearing comfortable clothes these days.
She says: “As I’ve gotten older I want to accentuate the waistline less and be a bit baggier, looser and a bit more comfortable.
“I think clothing can hide a multitude of insecurities and that’s the beauty of it — you look chic but no one would really know your insecurities by what you’re wearing.
“I pretty much cover up everything, rarely wearing a vest or crop top.
“I can’t remember the last time I showed my arms or my stomach.
“I don’t know if that’s an insecurity or if that’s just a case of getting older with not wanting to have everything on display.”
Kelly married long-term partner Jeremy Parisi, 37, this summer in Italy in a wedding dress designed by Savannah Miller, who sketched an array of designs for her to choose from.
She says: “I didn’t actually try on any dresses. I didn’t have a Say Yes To The Dress moment.
“Savannah sent me a couple of sketches and I chose one.
“I always knew I wanted something very traditional and old-fashioned.”
And as the couple prepare to spend their first Christmas as husband and wife, Kelly is launching her F&F at Tesco Christmas collection — her fourth with the brand.
She says: “This is my favourite edit to date. I’m more familiar with F&F, I know what people want from me.
“We’re all so busy, why do we need to punish ourselves any more with fashion?
“We just want to feel comfortable and chic. I’ve selected pieces that work for me, my lifestyle and my body.”
The range, which includes homeware for the first time, features jumpers from £19.50, a gold jumpsuit for £28 and a pink satin wrap dress for £22.50.
If you want some luxury cashmere, prices start from £79.
Kelly says: “I feel like F&F understands people’s lifestyles and the challenges people are facing.
“This collection is for everybody, and I think keeping that affordability is so important.
“But I also think people want to feel luxurious. That’s why the cashmere is still there. It’s aspirational but still really inexpensive.”
Kelly’s not the only one at home dressing up — her cavapoo Teddy is getting in on the action too.
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“This time of year he wears lots of jumpers or anything that is waterproof,” she says.
“He gets pretty muddy so we’ve had a little outdoor shower put in for him.”
- Kelly’s latest Christmas fashion and homeware collection is available now at F&F at Tesco.