Supermodel, charity organiser and presenter; the beautiful Jade Parfitt is a dab hand at multi-tasking, juggling all these glittering roles with being a full-time mother to her son, four-and-a-half-year-old Jackson. We caught up with Jade at the VIP launch of the gorgeous Petit Bateau Marylebone High Street store...
Where were you born and brought up?
I was born in London and then moved to Totnes in Devon, where I grew up.
Do you have any brothers and sisters?
Yes, I have two sisters, one older and one younger. We were close growing up, but argumentative like any sisters!
What were your favourite pastimes as a child?
I was a big tomboy. I was always climbing trees, running around, riding horses and also at ballet classes – I was a real show off. I also loved late night reading under the covers.
Do you have a nickname?
Not one that stuck, but I was often called Daddy Long Legs at school!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a ballerina or an actress, something to entertain people. Either that or I had ambitions to write a book.
Do you have any funny childhood memories?
I had a typical upbringing, getting in trouble… especially for smacking my newborn baby sister after she had been in an incubator for two months! I was renowned for being a tomboy, unlike my younger sister, Amy who has always loved fashion. She used to dress for dinner in full length gowns and now she works for fashion website ASOS.
What is your family time like?
I have a son, Jackson who is four and a half years old, and is currently obsessed with beetles and bugs. I bought him a scorpion set in resin for his birthday recently. We absolutely love going to the Natural History Museum and seeing all the giant dinosaurs. I have recently discovered the British Museum and really want to take him to the Egyptian section to see the Mummies.
Does Jackson model?
No, he enjoys pulling faces and sticking his tongue out far too much. We recently did a charity shoot together, but that took a lot of bribery.
Being an internationally renowned supermodel, you must have had some amazing career highlights. Can you tell us about some of them?
I have been lucky enough to shoot with some of the best photographers in the world, including the legendary Richard Avedon, Steven Meisel and Rankin. I have walked down the catwalk for Jean Paul Gaultier as the bride three times and have also walked for Christian Dior, Alexander McQueen and Chanel amongst many others. I love the theatrical atmosphere of catwalk shows.
Thank you, Jade
Petit Bateau, 70 Marylebone High Street, London, W1U 5JL.
Have you also heard that the Petit Bateau concept store in Hampstead has re-opened?
Also, make sure you have a read of our exclusive interview with one of Jade's favourite designers, the 'enfant terrible' himself; Jean Paul Gaultier.
