The fabulous Supermodel Erin O’Connor had a chat with our colleague Susie Fairgrieve about work at London Fashion Week plus her charitable interests.

Q You’ve worked hard behind the scenes at helping young models coming into the industry. One of the things you’ve achieved is setting up the Model Sanctuary for London Fashion Week, where models can rest between shows and have a chat. What was the inspiration, and can you tell us a bit more about what the Model Sanctuary offers and why?

A I felt that there was a lack of self-esteem in the new models coming onto the fashion scene. This also links to the fact that most models are very young when they first enter into the industry. I wanted to provide a safe haven to allow them to flourish and feel comfortable with themselves. When you combine the amount of pressure they receive from the industry and the media, I felt it was important to provide a service which aims to nurture and encourage them. At the Model Sanctuary we offer a professional nutritional adviser as well as confidential and practical advice from our psycho-therapeutic counsellor. We also offer up fresh food, supplements and organic beauty products to keep the models balanced and fresh.

Q Your work involves considerable amounts of travelling. Any tips on dealing with jetlag?

A Drown yourself in water! I also sleep as much as I can - it doesn’t matter what time of the day that you fly, air travel is exhausting on the body.

Q What are your top beauty secrets for keeping your skin and hair glowing with health?

A Apply a light face mask or cream at the beginning of your flight (I use the Weleda’s Wild Rose Smoothing Day Cream) wear throughout the flight and then remove with wet wipes when you land. I also take supplements as recommended by the Model Sanctuary nutritionist Miriam Saltmarshe. I take Solgar 1000mg Vit C with Rose Hips, and Pukka Organic Bio nutrients called Clean Greens. These replace the loss of green food such as fruit and vegetables that I sometimes deny my body due to a busy schedule. This also supplements my dietary needs when I work longs days and/or travel abroad. All of these are available at most good health food shops.

Q We’re delighted you’re a fan of Weleda products. When did you first discover the range, and what are your current favourites?

A I discovered Weleda some years ago when a friend introduced me to the Skin Food hand cream. I fell in love with the simplicity of the product including its packaging and scent. Because of their holistic philosophy, I felt that Weleda would be ideal to support the Model Sanctuary. My current faves are the Lavender Creamy Body Wash and Birch Juice cleansing and purifying drink.

Q Other than the Model Sanctuary, do you have other favourite causes you support or any new projects you are currently working on?

A I recently returned from a trip to Delhi as an ambassador to the SEWA charity - The Self Employed Woman’s Association. The aim of which is to empower local women workers into the mainstream global retail market and protect them from exploitation. SEWA aims to make the enterprise self-sustainable by forming a co-op that is owned, managed and controlled by the women themselves - SEWA website >.

I also work in association with RED and have taken a recent trip to Ghana where I was able to see first hand, the proceeds of the RED initiative helping to benefit and change lives for the better, by providing health and medical care to communities and hospitals treating patients with HIV and malaria - joinRED website >

I am committed to working and assisting both charities, as their ultimate aim is to nurture and educate people in allowing them to feel empowered and understood. It also builds on self-esteem which is invaluable for their future development

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