This is NOT porn - it's Caprice doing her thang! I turned up at the studio 15 minutes late because due to Boris Johnson's AMAZING work, the tubes are still always delayed. Fifteen minutes in the fashion world is considered on time. Caprice was there half an hour early.
You'd be forgiven for thinking that the old adage 'blondes have more fun' is always correct (as far as crazy nights out go), and I'll even let you off the hook for presuming that a model is all about ditz and dumb. Caprice Bourett is one feisty exception to the rule. After coming over to the UK in 1996 from the sunny land that is California, Caprice most definitely made her mark. Later that same year, she turned up at the National Television Awards in a see through dress - she had landed, and she wanted everyone to know.
Appearing on the covers of GQ, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, Maxim and FHM magazines and fronting the 1998 Swimsuit issue of Sports Illustrated (one of the highest accolades for a model evidently) she has, in anyones book, had an amazing run. Add to this her years of being Wonderbra's most coveted model, posing nude for Playboy magazine, starring in two West End productions namely The Vagina Monologues and Rent, releasing two singles, appearing in Celeb Big Brother, starting up and running her uber-successful lingerie line - by Caprice, and designing and nurturing her new Glam by Caprice range for www.very.co.uk and you'd think she'd want a break. But no. She keeps going.
Caprice is now all about business. Talking to her for just a minute about her lingerie and clothes ranges is like talking to an accountant. She knows the percentages, mark ups, profits, losses (are there any?) to the nearest decimal point. She drives herself to shoots, no need to book an Addy Lee, and is accompanied by only her three gorgeous chihuahuas - Stinker is my fav - and her loyal makeup artist. No busy, Blackberry-addicted agent, no hangers-on, no employee to hold her straw while she drinks. Just her. It's refreshing.
I asked Caprice a few questions... enjoy!
The Very: Firstly, what does fashion means to you? Is it just getting up in the morning and pulling on a tracksuit, or do you express yourself through what you wear?
Caprice: Fashion is an extension of your character...it’s the way you express yourself. You could have an idea of what a person is all about just by looking at them.
The Very: You've been accused in the past of having plastic surgery, I've actually had lipo suction on my man boobs and am totally up for more, what are your thoughts on it for aesthetics purposes?
Caprice: I think if someone wants to have plastic surgery then by all means it’s their prerogative. (She does however believe in re-touching...in an interview with the Sun, Caprice said: "I won't stop modeling as long as they are still re-touching. I re-touch the heck outta my pictures and I am happy to admit it.")
The Very: How did your lingerie lines actually come about?
Caprice: I started out with a license deal and progressively saw how much profit the line was doing at the time and decided to buy back my license and to start a lingerie company on my own and that’s exactly what I did. In 2006 I started By Caprice Lingerie and to this day I still own 100% equity and have no debt.
The Very: You've never been shy about taking off your clothes, what is it about lingerie that gets you going? Is there a lack of decent underwear in the world?
Caprice: I not only look at my business as the accolade I’m most proud of but it gives me great pleasure to receive emails from ladies stating how good By Caprice Lingerie makes them feel and how they love the fit and the price- it’s so affordable. I want every woman to feel and look great and be able to afford it.
The Very: Dolly Parton is just as well known now for her business prowess than her music. You are a hugely successful business women too, have you any role models?
Caprice: I have to say I’ve never had any formal education after high school and therefore most of what I’ve learned in the business world is basically from the streets... through trial and error...through listening, through educating myself and through learning from the many mistakes I have made throughout my growth as a business woman.
Looking every inch the fierce business womenThe Very: You're fashion line for Littlewoods/Very seems to be doing really well, are you pleased with its progress?
Caprice: I’m thrilled to death. Every season we’re in the top ten and we’ve worked hard at making the collection a commercial success and now we’re reaping the rewards. It’s amazing!
The Very: It's mainly about the 'dress', but what would you say are the key items for any woman's wardrobe?
Caprice: Well it has to be your basic black dress; it’s timeless, it camouflages any bumps that you want to hide, it’s elegant and it’s an absolute must have.
The Very: Who would you say in the media is: best dressed and worst dressed?
Caprice: Best dressed: Kate Blanchett- she always looks so elegant and her dress sense transgresses time. Worst dressed: Britney Spears... I need to send her a few pieces!
The Very: You've been leading lady in the West End and have had an active TV career, but is it all about business and fashion now? Do you want to be in the limelight anymore?
Caprice: For the past three years it’s been about making my business work therefore that means putting in the twelve-hour days and putting entertainment on the back burner. But gosh do I miss it! I think it’s time to jump back into the fire!
The Very: What do you like to see on a man?
Caprice: I like a guy who wears jeans, a T-Shirt and sneakers! Simple I know, but looks good.
The Very: What's next for the lovely Caprice?
Caprice: It’s all about expanding the brand and By Caprice products and the By Caprice brand to become one of the biggest and most profitable companies in the world
Finally, a few quick fire questions:
Heels or flats?
Heels
Chocolate or sex?
Sex
Beach or City?
Love ‘em both
Vivienne Westwood, Dior or Balmain?
Glam by Caprice available at www.very.co.uk
Above and below: Caprice modeling her own Glam range for www.very.co.uk
