You've just finished making a documentary about Egypt, you have such a varied career modelling, acting and now directing, which is your favourite?
'I love playing with fashion, you know I love photo shoots. For me it's really about having fun and being surrounded by inspiring people and people that inspire and teach you. More than anything I'm really interested in portraying the human, so whether I'm in front of the camera or behind, that's really what I like. And I find in cinema, in films, a possibility of expressing many things and many emotions in a way that's strong.’

So who has inspired you most?
'Well, first of all my mother, she has certainly been a very big inspiration. Then there are other people like Karl Lagerfeld, Eva Cavalli is a very inspiring woman because of her strength and confidence. Women like Diane Von Furstenberg are a great inspiration and then there are people that I could not meet like Lauren Bacall. You know, there are different personalities that I look up to, Christian Louboutin, my godfather. They are all people who love what they do and are passionate about what they do and they have fun. [Life is] not all about success it's about enjoying the ride and the relationships you make along the way.'

Where do you see yourself in the future, what would you like to look back on?
'Well, the first thing I think about is family, I mean for me [it's] the priority and intention. Meeting the right husband and then creating a beautiful family and maybe living on some island in Southern America somewhere, you know, with nature and to have the time, that's really what I aim for time. Time to do things and at the same time possibly from there, flying and working with great directors. What I really would like to do now is write my movie, write a script and then direct it'.

Right now you're the face of Roberto Cavalli's fragrance, how it did feel when you found out you got the job?
'Well, it was unexpected and surprising, I mean it's funny when the best things happen to you in life you never expect them. I was honoured that he would think of me to represent the first fragrance of the company and I felt it was going to be a fun ride.'

What do you love about the new scent?
'It's always difficult to express a scent because I'm very bad with saying 'fruity' or this and that, but I feel like it has a strength and at the same time a softness to it. It's saying a lot of things at the same time. I think there is something sensual and strong; it's a woman who is many things at the same time - one of the things you discover in acting is how many faces we all have. So this woman has several faces, you know she's strong, she's confident and she still has that docility also, in situations when it's required to be docile, to be soft, because men want women to be confident and at the same time they have to be led by the man, I think, so you need to be able to be a different woman.'

Do you have any favourite beauty products?
'I like to keep my make-up very natural, moisturiser is really key. I have two creams I use, one is Embryoliss and the other is a pure organic company called Doux Me, and the cream is called Cream Caroline. Then lip moisturiser, of course, Elizabeth Arden and also Doux Me does a great one. I also discovered this skincare brand called MV, it's Australian and completely organic too, they make this aromatic oil for the body that is amazing.'

Being so busy all the time how do you stay fit and healthy?
'The more you grow the more you realise that it's about balance. So not thinking it just comes from what sport we do, that it comes from the inside and being at peace with yourself no matter what situation presents itself. No situation deserves stress or fear. On a practical level I've started running this year, I was very lazy before. I balance it with Pilates because the problem with running is that it tightens certain parts of the body, but I love it, I find it really relaxing. I go in the morning when I wake up, I like to do it before anything else. Lately, I've been making smoothies for breakfast. Spinach is key, it's great for everything it sounds disgusting but if you balance it with berries, bananas you can make it sweeter, it's full of magnesium and zinc - it's very good for you.'

Roberto Cavalli Eau de Parfum, from £35, is available exclusively at Harrods from 12 February.

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