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As we sat down to have a chat with Victoria's Secret Angel and Mercedes-Benz Brand Ambassador Karolina Kurkova in the Mercedes-Benz lounge at the Fashion Week tents, the supermodel stunner generously asked us if she could fetch us a tea or something. We have a feeling that exact scenario is probably what our boyfriends fantasize about on a semi-regular basis, especially since she was clad in a sexy front-slashed mini-Herve Leger by Max Azria and thigh-high patent boots, but anyway. We were touched by the gesture, but politely declined and decided to get right down to business.
First off, everybody's talking about Karolina's Jean Paul Gaultier role-reversal ad campaign with much-discussed super-androgynous model Andrej Pejic.
"I don't think it's that controversial or that crazy," the fresh-faced supe told us. "But it's kind of interesting that people are really into it and have something to say and I think it's important to have something different and to always push the envelope." Plus, honestly, what else are we supposed to expect from Jean Paul Gaultier, cone-bra trailblazer and all.
"It's fashion, we're supposed to do crazy things, right? And for me, it was interesting too because I think I'm kind of, um,...you know, it kind of gave me a little edge. A little like ooh, Karolina, ooh — it's kind of...bad, you know what I mean?"
Still on the subject, Karolina poses an insightful question.
"I'm actually curious, what does he [Andrej] think about it? Like how does he feel about it. Is he comfortable or is he just kind of a victim or is he just... you know what I mean? Like, does he enjoy it? Is he comfortable being that person and doing it or is it just something people like seeing him being. So I'll be more curious how he feels about it."
Karolina is definitely an expert to ponder that thought. She's been in the biz for over ten years and has 20 Vogue covers (internationally), a Forbes list mention and campaigns for top design houses, such as Chanel, Dior and Versace, all under her size 0 belt. Of course, she's probably most recognizable for strutting the runway as one of the big-name Victoria's Secret Angels and has also borne the honor of modeling the famous bajillion dollar diamond studded bra. So you'd think five-plus years of walking the catwalk in your underwear (on TV no less) and looking ridiculously hot would be old hat by now.
"It doesn't get easier," Karolina admits. "You would think the more you do it, the easier it gets. Actually more you do it...I feel like the more nerve-wracking it gets. It's so weird. I don't know why people think 'Karolina, you must think this is like piece of cake, it must be so easy', but I'm like, no, the more I do it (shakes her head)...I guess the more you know what a big deal it is, then you almost think it's definitely nerve-wracking, But then it's also fun. It's something you don't get to do all the time. You get to have fun. You get to smile, you get to move, you get to almost be like an actress." But in much less clothing.
My goodness, if it's so hard for a 6-foot tall supermodel with a genetically (and workout) blessed figure, what about us mere mortals when we have to head to the beach in our gym-deprived and questionable food consumption-ravaged bodies?
"You definitely have to psych yourself, like 'yeah, I feel great'," Karolina suggests. "I think one of the things that I learned from somebody who taught me — which you think is really simple, but sometimes it's hard to do to — look at yourself in the mirror when you wake up and say, 'I'm beautiful, I feel great.' But really look at yourself. You know, you think it's so vain, [you] look at yourself, [and say] 'I'm so gorgeous', but not in that way. But really like gratitude to yourself and say, 'I'm a good person, I feel beautiful, I'm beautiful' and you know say 'thank you' to yourself."
· All Fashion Week Coverage [Racked]
— Photo credit: Michael Buckner/Getty Images