Chill out the model way
Brushing shoulders with Sophie Dahl and Naomi Campbell on the catwalk might look glamorous and effortless, but lots of hard work and stress are involved. So I decided to get a bit of rest and relaxation before London Fashion Week, in which I'm modelling for funky designer Ronit Zilkha, a favourite of Kate Winslet, Davina McCall, Tamzin Outhwaite and Cherie Blair.
In my bid to escape not only England's winter weather but also the paparazzi (I can't pop out for a pint of milk in London without being photographed), I decided to head to the Caribbean for sunshine and to a small, exclusive hotel for intimacy. I chose Barbados, which I had last visited eight years ago when I was 17 and had just hit the big time as the Wonderbra girl. I had been so enchanted with the island then that two weeks easily stretched into two months.
Any fears that Barbados's magic spell had worn off disappeared as soon as I checked into the Treasure Beach Hotel, set in lush tropical gardens just a few steps from the white sandy beach in the St James area. With just 29 rooms, the hotel prides itself on its service, which gave me the impression that nothing was too much trouble, and whatever I asked for came with a smile. Having experienced faceless hotels across the world on modelling assignments, it was a treat to stay at a place where all the staff knew your name and what you ate for breakfast.
The rooms weren't bad, either. I was in the 1,000 sq ft Hemingway Suite, with two Jacuzzis, one of them on the terrace next to a fully stocked bar. There was also an outdoor shower which I loved using under the stars - very Balinese. With a four-poster bed, its own lounge and a bath a football team would feel at home in, the suite would have been the perfect romantic setting if I hadn't had to leave my boyfriend, footballer Mark Bosnich, in England.
Romance is at the heart of Treasure Beach; owner Kevin Morley first visited the hotel 25 years ago with his wife, Cathy, on their honeymoon. She loved it so much that he promised her one day he would buy it for her. In 1995, the businessman kept his promise and has built the hotel into a haven for people who want to get away from it all.
And that is just what I did, luxuriating in lazy days where the most effort was a daily gym workout with Baker, my personal trainer. That done, I sunbathed, swam and fitted in a daily massage with Eddie, who sent me to heaven and back. In fact, Eddie's hands have graced many a celebrity bottom, including those of Kylie Minogue and Footballers' Wives star Gillian Taylforth. After my massage, I ambled back to my suite for a Jacuzzi and, cocktail in hand, watched the sun go down.
I knew it was time for dinner when I heard the gentle hum and drum of live local Bajan music, calling me to sample the wares of chef Jeffrey Hyland, who has been Caribbean Chef of the Year for the past three years. Being a model means having constantly to watch what I eat, though the wide choice available meant I didn't have much of a problem. My favourites were the healthy stir-fries, Caribbean fishcakes with sweet chilli sauce and the salmon and crab rolls dripped decadently in raspberry sauce.
After eating, I was so exhausted by the sheer relaxation of the place combined with the sun that I'd slip between the crisp, cotton sheets for an early night and drift off to the humming of the crickets, although there was plenty of entertainment I could have enjoyed.
There were other things to do during the day too; I found it entertaining to take a catamaran trip under the captaincy of Morris, who had plenty of stories to tell about stars he had sailed with, from Robbie Williams to the Rolling Stones.
It was a long, lazy trip and worked wonders to recharge my batteries. Which means I'll be relaxed and ready to step out on the catwalk this week with a glorious tan.
Factfile
A seven-night stay at Treasure Beach Hotel on a room-only basis from 1 March, including return flights on British Airways from Gatwick and transfers, costs £1,710 per person based on two sharing with Elegant Resorts (01244 897999). More information about the hotel is available from www.treasurebeachhotel.com.