Dress, $POA, Burberry Prorsum, (02) 8296 8588; necklace, $16,250, bracelets, $1,550 each, all Bulgari, (02) 9233 3611; white-gold ring, $5,560, pink-gold ring (worn throughout), $5,250, both Cartier, 1800 130 000

Position vacant. Job requirements: create your own line of swimwear; develop a range of tanning products; host a national

television series; represent a major department store; make occasional appearances down the runway; and always be photo-ready for the paparazzi. Must be prepared for domestic and international travel and snuggling sessions with a ridiculously hot husband. Pay: a lot.

Stop updating your LinkedIn profile; the job has been taken since Australia’s most recognisable grown-up girl-next-door was crowned Miss Universe in 2004 – and Jennifer Hawkins isn’t planning on vacating the position anytime soon. It’s all worked out remarkably well for a role she created by default after entering a beauty pageant.

“It is surreal,” says Hawkins, 31. “It’s not like you think about these things at the time they happen. You don’t know where they can lead. When you’re 20, you’re just seeing where life takes you and you’re open to almost anything. Winning Miss Universe certainly gave me opportunities I never expected.”

The coveted crown and sash placed the self-confessed introvert in the spotlight, first internationally, during a year based in New York and travelling the world representing the pageant, and then into the broad bosom of middle Australia as the ever-smiling face of department store Myer.

“The first three months of being Miss Universe were a real blur. I was missing my family and travelling so much,” she says. “Being recognised in South America and in Mexico was scary. I was just this girl from Australia. Then when I came back home there were cameras everywhere. That’s when I realised this wasn’t going to end.”

A tipping point was the infamous skirt dropping incident, when Hawkins inadvertently bared more than she expected during a shopping centre appearance, making headlines and inspiring smutty captions around the world. “That was really emotional. Afterwards I was with my parents and they put things in perspective. They showed me that I had these incredible opportunities that I could make the most of and that’s when I started to enjoy myself. Everything was better. I could see that people

were relating and responding to me – that’s why I kept going. It was a fun lifestyle. And then I bought my first property.”

So far it sounds like a fairytale fit for a former cheerleader: from Newcastle, New South Wales to New York, then Sydney’s A-list. A humble Hawkins is the first to admit that chance played a hefty part in her rise to fame – Miss Universe 2004 runner-up Shandi Finnessey was last seen on a failed The Bachelor-style show and has been cast in the low-budget film Bachelorette Party Massacre. But it’s also Hawkins’ work ethic that has taken her from beauty queen to brand, and transformed that first property into an enviable portfolio.

“I’m not just a clothes horse,” she says. “Being a personality, you work closely with these companies. You see the marketing side and you see the essence. I’ve got a lot out of that. It’s really cool.”

What’s even cooler is the passion Hawkins has for her latest venture, a line of tanning products called Jbronze, and the way she is putting her experience as an ambassador to use building her own empire. ]

The familiar face of countless brands has come to terms with being herself. Damien Woolnough discovers why Jennifer Hawkins is finally at ease

Photographs by Stefania Paparelli

Styling by Rachel Wayman

AR

TW

OR

K: “

BA

RR

IST

ER

& L

OV

ER

” B

Y M

EL

ISS

A E

GA

N; U

NT

ITL

ED

WO

RK

BY

GR

AE

ME

DR

EN

DE

L

Shirt, $1,473, pants, $855, both Bottega Veneta, (02) 9239 0188; earring, $139, By Charlotte, bycharlotte.com.au (worn throughout); bracelet, $23,500, Cartier, 1800 130 000

Dress, $522, Self-Portrait, self-portrait-studio.com; bra, $49.95, briefs, $30, both Heidi Klum Intimates, heidiklumintimates.com.au

161

“It started when the tanning products I was using were giving my skin breakouts, which didn’t do much for my confidence. I was also after a product I could use that wouldn’t stink on set when I’m working in TV,” she explains. “It took a lot of time and a lot of different ingredients to get this completely perfect. This is about making women have a second layer of skin. It’s about having confidence and becoming your alter ego. A lot of women are not so confident all the time.”

Pilates, running, yoga and meditation have helped Hawkins build her own confidence in the public eye, as well as keeping her body taut, toned and the object of well-earned admiration from everyone on the intimate ELLE shoot. There’s also a healthy dose of perspective. When Hawkins looks back at the beginning of her unique career, there is a mixture of awe, gratitude and appreciation for where she is today. “You become who you are,” she says. “Some people like me. Some don’t. I have my family and friends and I live my life authentically. I’m surrounded by a great team. And I have Jake.”

Hawkins wed her partner in property development, Jake Wall, in a relaxed Bali ceremony in 2013, wearing a Maticevski gown. The photogenic pair recently returned from a break in Positano, following her hosting duties on Australia’s Next Top Model. “It’s one of my favourite places on the planet,” she says. “The pasta is incredible. It’s too good to resist – so you have to throw in a few extra morning runs.”

With Wall’s support and plenty of experience, she has the job of being Jennifer Hawkins nailed. “People tend to know me for who I am and where I come from. When I meet people they treat me like they know me. It’s awkward to talk about but I can say I’m down to earth. I am. I don’t think the sun shines out of my arse. I’m making the most of what I have.” qDress, $675, Kate Sylvester, katesylvester.com

163

Dress, $490, YB J’aime, yeojinbae.com; earrings, $58,500, Tiffany & Co., tiffany.com.au

Photography: Stefania Paparelli at Company 1. Hair: Travis Balcke at Company 1. Makeup: Liz Kelsh at 22 Management. Prop styling: Sarah Ellison. Props: dining chair, $1,500, Moller, greatdanefurniture.com; armchair, $10,220, Molteni, hubfurniture.com.au; red rug, $7,500, Cadrys, cadrys.com.au; lounger with ottoman, $8,752, Herman Miller Eames, livingedge.com.au; Moroccan rug, $3,950, Kulchi, kulchi.com; flat sheet, $279, Bedouin Societe, pond-pond.com

Bodice, $8,500, Maticevski, tonimaticevski.com; necklace, $155, By Charlotte, bycharlotte.com.au

B E A U T Y N O T E Add a hit of sheen to golden limbs to

make them look more defined. TryShimmer Instant Illuminiser, $24.95,

Jbronze, jbronze.com.au

164