Eva Herzigova, super jewelry fan

Here’s what we know about Eva Herzigova: she’s the Czech supermodel most famous for her Guess and Wonderbra campaigns. Her 5’11” height and amaz-
ing figure also made her a natural for Victoria’s Secret and multiple covers of Sports Illustrated. Currently she’s in the Louis Vuitton spring-summer ’08 campaign.

Here’s what we don’t know about Eva Herzigova: she’s a smart cookie who speaks five languages fluently (English, Czech, French, Italian and Russian). She’s appeared in films like Inferno (by photographer Ellen von Unwerth) and Les Anges Gardiens with Gerard Depardieu. She’s married to an Italian gent in the shoe industry but at present she’s based in London. And she’s got an eye for haute rocks: as Chopard ambassador she wears necklaces as huge as the Heart of the Ocean in Titanic. For the Chopard Red Carpet event in Singapore Herzigova was sporting a 160-carat sapphire necklace worth SGD$7 million. 

Today she’s slightly more subtle: an emerald-cut yellow diamond ring, a dainty necklace and gold-and-diamond bracelets — one spelling out the name of her son; the other the eye of Allah, “which is supposed to protect you.”

Philippine star: I read you’re a big admirer of jewelry. What do you love more, jewelry or fashion?

Eva HerZigova: I think jewelry completes the look of fashion, you know. People put on big belts and some people put on big earrings. It’s an accessory.

How did you meet Caroline Gruosi-Scheufele and develop close ties with Chopard?

We met in Cannes during the film festival when she was opening her boutique 11 years ago, and ever since we’ve worked together on a few occasions. For the past few years I’ve been their ambassador around the world.

Does she send you gifts regularly?

Yeah, I wish. (Laughs) She sends me always the new jewelry to be able to wear where I need it, so I think that’s a wonderful gift.

What do you admire about Chopard’s designs?

I think it’s very modern. Not modern in a sense of minimalistic, but it’s up to date, it’s ahead of its time, it’s playful, but then you have very important pieces. It’s impeccable, so beautifully done. Original, I think, is the right word.

What makes it different from other jewelry houses?

Lots of houses stagnate, or stay in the past, or just focus on the big stones. When Caroline designs her jewelry there’s lots of creativity behind it.

What are your favorite Chopard watches and jewelry pieces?

I love earrings. I think earrings — especially those I wore in Cannes, these gorgeous green emeralds — oh, amazing! I also like the men’s watches, actually: the Mille Miglia  and the Ice Cube.

You’re very enterprising, with your own line of swimwear. Would you ever want to collaborate with Caroline on designing jewelry?

Why not? It would be fun. Yes, why not.

What would your designs look like?

I do like stones in their raw form before they get cut to perfection. I think I would do something half perfect, half raw, something in its original state. Something big, big, big, and chunky.

How do you use jewelry to accessorize your daytime, evening and red carpet looks?

It goes both ways. Maybe there’s a piece of jewelry that just is stunning, it’s like, okay, I have to find the dress. Like last night. I knew I was going to wear that necklace, I’m like, okay, I have to find the perfect dress for this. I looked through all the fashion shows with my agent, we found the perfect dress, which was the Versace Haute Couture, which was the perfect color.

And then sometimes it goes the other way around: I’m wearing this dress, okay, let’s find the perfect jewelry with it. Like in Cannes, the black dress, it was just so simple and elegant and sexy. Then we found that white sort of diamond carpet (to go with it).

Was it hard to transition from modeling to acting?

It’s a cliché, you know. Lots of people say models can’t act, but when you look at all the actresses in the industry, they all have been models. Unsuccessful models. From Cameron Diaz to Charlize Theron to Michelle Pfeiffer or Jessica Lange — they all have been models before. I think you should give them all a chance. There are some who are horrendous, and some who are great.

Did you idolize (fellow Czech model) Paulina Porizkova growing up?

Of course, I met her and her family, her husband and kids. She’s the same: very down to earth, humble, she’s a great mother. She’s a woman, you know? She’s a real woman. She’s not at all concerned about her external beauty. When I first came to New York she took me under her wing — “Okay, I have to protect you.” She was really nice.

Do you do the same for other models now?

I try for young models, but most of them are — how do you say? — they think the world is at their feet and they don’t need any protection. And then they realize it doesn’t last as long as they thought and listening to one or two pieces of advice would have been much more helpful.

What are your plans for the future?

I’m a very focused and dedicated mother right now. I have one child (son George), one year old. It’s all very new and very fresh. So I’m dedicated and that’s what matters these days in my life.