Supermodel Doutzen Kroes takes the cover story of WSJ. Magazine‘s June July 2020 edition captured by fashion photographer Annemarieke Van Drimmelen. In charge of styling was fashion editor Tonne Goodman, with casting direction from Piergiorgio Del Moro. Beauty is work of hair stylist Odile Gilbert, and makeup artist Adrien Pinault.
Knot on My Planet [the elephant conservation campaign supported by Kroes]. I think it all made sense when I could use my voice for charity, for a species like elephants that don’t have a voice. I think that’s an accomplishment I can be really proud of. – Kroes
What’s the one phone call that changed your life?
My agency calling to tell me that I was booked by Steven Meisel for the Italian Vogue cover. That completely changed my life because that meant I was traveling around the world all of a sudden, that everybody wanted to work with me, because of that phone call I got when I was 18.
What is the one thing you wish you had learned earlier in your career?
To not take anything personally.
What is the one piece of advice that most changed your life?
[From] Eckhart Tolle’s book The Power of Now: to really be in the moment and not think about the past and the future—which is really difficult. It’s still a challenge—but when I do it, it’s life-changing.
What one age would you be again and why?
Maybe I would be 26 again. I would love to see my kids as babies again one day if I could. They’re 9 and almost 6 now. Time flies.
How would your one closest friend describe you?
Paradoxical, friendly, dreamy, a little bit crazy.
What do you consider your one greatest accomplishment?
Knot on My Planet [the elephant conservation campaign supported by Kroes]. I think it all made sense when I could use my voice for charity, for a species like elephants that don’t have a voice. I think that’s an accomplishment I can be really proud of.
Who is the one person, alive or dead, you’d most like to have dinner with?
Nelson Mandela.
Was there one time in your life when you’d lost hope?
When Greta [Thunberg] started her demonstrations and she really woke up the world and said we only have four more years, and then our window is gone…. If I really start to think about these things, I can lose hope. I’m also someone who just does not want to lose hope.
From what one thing do you draw the greatest sense
of meaning?
I think nature. We all say we love to appreciate the little things, but I feel like the little things are huge and spectacular. When I’m in the garden and I see springtime and I see everything bloom again, it’s such a miracle, and we take that for granted all the time.
What’s the one thing you’d most like to be remembered for?
Having a big heart. That’s all that matters.
Photo © Annemarieke Van Drimmelen for WSJ. Magazine – www.wsj.com
This article appears in WSJ. Magazine’s June/July Issue, on newsstands June 6th.
