Model Yasmin Le Bon attended Fashion Forward Season 4 to take part in a Q&A session on October 5. The 49-year-old’s career took flight in the 1980s and saw her grace the covers of Italian, British, French and German Vogue. For more than two decades, Le Bon traveled the world, modeling for labels including Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel, Dior and Moschino. On the sidelines of her talk at FFWD, we sat down with the model and mum-of-three to get her thoughts on Dubai’s fashion scene, the pressures on designers today and the career aspirations she still holds.
Check out our interview with Le Bon below and read part 2 in the Arts & Lifestyle section of The National newspaper tomorrow.
How are you enjoying stay in the UAE Yasmin?
Gosh, time flies. I think the last time I was here was for the opening of the Atlantis hotel, which feels like a long time ago because things change so dramatically here.
Your father is Persian, your mother English. Do you feel any connection coming to this region and being so close to Iran?
Yes, I get this funny feeling when I got to India too. There’s something very familiar about it and something that makes me feel quite comforted. I wasn’t brought up in Iran but in England, but when you have Persian blood, family and friends – there’s an element that makes make you feel comforted to be back around it, definitely.
You first began modeling at school with a local agency in Oxford, England. You soon went on to join Models 1 in London and enjoy an international career.
Have expectations of models today – in terms of size, age and looks – changed since then?
Well, the funny thing is that the girls who really make it in the industry now are often not the girls who are on the catwalk. It’s almost gone back to the old days, with the girls you’re seeing on the runway are very young; they haven’t matured or grown into themselves. It’s an unfortunate thing and not what agents want at all. Something has to change. To put a very young girl at the start of her career on the public stage – and it is so public – is not right.
For example, if fell over on the catwalk back in the day, no one would know. Today, it would be streamed live worldwide. That’s what’s changed and I’m not sure very young girls survive in the business long because they become disillusioned too early. It’s such a shame and we need older girls on the runway. Perspectives need to change.
I interviewed your daughter Amber when she was in Dubai a few months ago; she said you gave her one piece of advice when she followed your footsteps into the modeling world. Do you remember what it was?
Oh well, it’s very simple ‘To be kind – it’s the key to success’ and ‘put yourself in someone else’s shoes, always’.
Yes, that’s what she said. Do you worry about her entering the industry?
No, she’s such a good girl and a very solid person. There are risks to the industry, sure, and the longer you spend in it the more likely you are to experience them. You have to be very careful about yourself emotionally, it’s a tightrope to walk. Consequently, that’s why very few people stay for a long time.
What kind of risks?
The whole idea of ‘confidence’ is taken to an extreme level with something like modeling. You are judged constantly and, although everyone is judged constantly in life, the industry takes it to another level. I’m not moaning, I chose the career, but I think there are consequences.
Are you continuing your design collaboration with the UK chain Wallis?
I’m not. It was fantastic for a couple of seasons and like opening Pandora’s box as I really did get to design. I’ve always loved drawing and sketching designs - I could do it all day. I also did all my own R&D, which I adored too. I also learned a great deal about the high street, namely that the production values are amazing. From seam slippage and so many technical things that you often see designer labels not implementing. It’s made me shop in a completely different way, from studying the fastenings, pulling at seams and knowing what will fall apart!
Is a tie-up with another label on the cards for you?
I would love to do more designing but I think it’s extremely difficult to collaborate. I’m not sure I’m a team player, maybe that’s something I have to work on. I always thought I was, as I work in teams every day, but I think when you put your name on something – something else happens. Somehow you’re not quite the team you were before, when your name is ‘out there’. It becomes very personal and everything matters. So learning to let go of certain things, I’ve found that quite difficult, because I’m being judged on another level again. So I learned many things through the experience and quite a lot of them have had nothing to do with fashion [laughs].
Describe your personal style.
Oh gosh, I have no idea. It’s so haphazard. I would say that feeling comfortable has to be number one, but of course that’s an absolute lie. Because last night I was at a FFWD show in abject pain, just for the sake of it. On what crazy planet is it ok to do that to yourself? It’s torture. I was wearing tremendous Azzedine Alaia shoes, and I will rock them out again, but I will have to be able to lean on someone and have a car nearby. So I suppose my style is mad but not crazy eclectic; with a bit of luxury boho and well to-do hippy thrown in. There’s a good dose of rock and roll too. By the way, I’m always a mess. I’m the most unpolished person on the planet. Having perfect hair, nails and makeup – I’ll never be that person and that’s ok.
Do you have a beauty regime?
No, my good skin has nothing to do with me – I have to say thank you Mum and Dad – it’s in the genes. My mother was absolutely gorgeous and having a healthy dose of Persian blood helped me. I don’t deserve it [laughs].
You famously married Duran Duran frontman Simon Le Bon in 1985. What’s the secret to your enduring marriage?
[laughs] I’ve absolutely no idea! We spent a lot of time apart in the beginning, which was probably a good thing for both our sakes because we were always running to get to each other. Always looking forward to our time being together, constantly living for those moments. So maybe that was an unnatural thing to do, but it worked. We also laugh a great deal, he’s bonkers! Mad as a March hare.
How did he woo you?
[laughs] Again, I’ve no idea. He’s the last person on the planet that I expected to end up with. If I was prejudiced against any time of person, it was his type. So all I know is that you should never say never.
What’s family life like at home?
Slightly chaotic. I have a big rambling old house that I’ve just gutted the top two floors of, which is crazy as I only have half a house now and there’s builders everywhere. I’ve also got 8 people living in my house most of the time, be it my youngest daughter’s best friend, my other daughter’s boyfriend or my niece who is living with us now. My house is like a shabby B&B, much like Fawlty Towers, except nobody pays.
Is it a musical house all the time?
It is a musical house and my daughter’s boyfriend is a musician as well so we’re surrounded by music. But funnily enough there’s not that much live music played because Simon is doing it all day long in the studio. But don’t get me wrong, he – is loud! Thank goodness we live in a detached house, I couldn’t live in an apartment and I can barely leave the house because of him. [laughs]
A few quick fire questions to end the interview -
Oh, I find these so difficult! It’s like being on University Challenge [laughs].
Ok, here’s your starter for ten… What’s your guilty pleasure?
Always TV shows – like Holby City – I know, I know. Now though, it’s probably The Vikings.
What are you currently reading?
Cutting for stone by Abraham Verghese
Tell me something I don’t know about Yasmin Le Bon?
I think you probably know everything [laughs] and I have a terrible memory so wouldn‘t remember anything interesting anyhow.
* For the full FFWD rundown go to Fashion Forward or for coverage see the Arts & Lifestyle blog - All Dressed Up
