Wow, an interview with the Katie Price aka Jordan, this is a lady whose life, good and bad, is documented by various fluorescent cheap magazines that saturate newsagents’ shelves. The girl can’t sneeze without it appearing on a front cover! If they have met her or not, everyone has an opinion on her; but whatever your views, nobody can dispute that Katie is a clever cookie with a wealth of business strings to her bow, I met up with her to talk about her latest venture KP Baby. Love her or hate her Katie Price has got it all. Granted, her life has never been straight forward but whose is?
You’re in the process of launching KP Baby, are you excited?
Yeah, I’m really excited; it’s been a long process from start to finish.
How long did it take from your original ideas to the finished articles?
It’s been longer to get this range out due to safety regulations, with KP Equestrian it generally takes around three months, KP Baby has taken one year. As you would expect, I’ve added lots of glamorous little touches to the detailing but me and my team have been very careful to make sure we meet all the safety regulations. As with all my products, it’s very affordable but of the highest quality. We’ve spent a lot of time making sure that your little one will be as comfortable as possible. For example, we’ve got special internal seams in the feet to stop toenails catching and the all-in-ones have slip-resistant crowns on the soles.
So, what inspired you to design KP Baby?
As you know I have children myself and I love baby clothes and I’ll be having more kids, hopefully soon.
As a child did you have a certain outfit you hated?
Well, my mum used to knit me cardigans with little motifs on them. I think I was a guinea pig for when she made her own cardigans. So, it’s a quality cardigan because my mum made it, in fact I’ve still got them. I
won’t throw them away, because when your mum has made you something, you don’t throw them away.
There’s such a wide selection of clothing for children compared to when I was a child…
There is, you get twelve year olds now who dress like adults, but I think kids should stay young as they can, for as long as they can.
I agree....
You see some children in high heels, I just disagree with it. I think it’s alright if they’re just playing at dressing up in their mums’ shoes.
I can imagine your mum’s shoes went missing from time to time…
Oh yes. I used to put tissue in them and prance about. I do think that a child’s mind set is a lot older than their age these days, which is a shame. I want to keep Princess as a little girl for as long as I can get away with it, but she’s very girly, so that’s good.
I was looking at your pictures of Junior and Princess modelling your KP Equestrian range, they’re both naturals…
Those pictures were actually taken in my hallway, Junior and Princess were
trying some of the new new range on and I just started taking pictures. You can see in some of them, Junior has got gel in his hair and in other pictures, he hasn’t, because half way through he ran off saying “Wait, I want to put gel in my hair!”
Would you like them to follow in your modelling footsteps?
No, I would never push them into doing anything they didn’t want to, I’m not one of them mums, who try to live their dreams through their kids, I’ll let them do whatever they want to do.
You’ve won and been nominated for motherhood awards, what qualities make a good mum?
I think seeing them and loving them. Every mum’s different and not all of them are the same. Children rely on you, so you’ve got to give them a hundred percent.
You have a passion for horses; do your kids share your passion too?
I bought Junior a horse for Christmas called Moony and he loves it. I take him out riding and now the weather’s getting better, it makes life a little easier, so we’ll be down at the stables a lot.
As a child who was your inspiration?
My mum.
What kind of influence has your mum had for you, in your life?
My mum was quite strict in a way. I
wasn’t allowed a paper round, I wasn’t allowed to hang out in the streets or go to the youth club, she was quite protective, so I had to entertain myself, but I was into horses, so that wasn’t really a problem.
What did you dream of doing as a child?
I always wanted to be a model or a pop star and I’ve done both! I’ve fallen out with Pete over modelling and horse riding...
Do you not fancy going into acting at all?
I wouldn’t say I’m an actress…
Some may disagree…
Cheeky! But if someone offered me a role and it was an easy part, I wouldn’t say no.
How do you manage to keep up with your hectic life? You must be exhausted!
Well, obviously I’ve got help. So, when I’m at home I relieve the Nanny and tell her to go home and I’ll finish off. I have the children in a set routine, but it would help, if Pete had the kids but he hasn’t seen Harvey in three or four months, but he has the other two. So, that gives you more time to do things.
I was under the impression that Pete had all three children…
Pete sees Junior and Princess, but he hasn’t seen Harvey since Valentines’ Day. I told him he can see Harvey, if he finds a Nanny who is trained to care for autistic children, but he hasn’t found one yet. He says he’s still looking for a Nanny! We’ve given Pete a list of nannies but he hasn’t interviewed any of them or agreed anything with them.
Well, he needs to get to work then doesn’t he!
He certainly does.
Does Harvey miss Pete?
He doesn’t really say anything, Harvey’s not really like that. The thing is with kids with autism and stuff, they need routine. The more people around Harvey, the more he gets scared and anxious he gets, if that makes sense?
How is Harvey?
He’s really good actually, really good! He likes swimming, he’s straight into the swimming pool after school. He loves it!
Does he not fancy doing a bit of modelling then?
I haven’t got any clothes to fit Harvey!
You’ll have to find some for him then, won’t you?
He could probably wear something from my men’s range.
You have also launched a series of childrens’ books, as a child what books did you like to read?
I used to like reading about horses all the time, where I was the girl who had fastest pony! I used to love reading stories like that!
How important do you think it is, for children to have a bedtime story at night?
I don’t think it bothers them. Junior likes watching DVDs, Harvey and Princess just want you to cuddle them!
Congratulations, on your recent marriage to Alex, how’s married life treating you?
Good. At present, we’re really busy trying to organise our wedding blessing with all our family and friends. We’re filming it for ITV.
Is Princess going to be a bridesmaid?
I’m not giving anything away... not anything!
Not even an invite?
SILENCE
You and Alex are currently trying for a child, how many children would you like Katie?
I’m after eight!
The chocolate?
No, children. I want eight because when I’m older they
can look after me. I don’t want to be an old lonely woman! (Laughs)
You’ll never be that Katie, love. How do you like to spend your spare time?
Riding my horses and then doing something with the kids in the afternoon, watching TV under the duvet, then hot chocolate and biscuits. I’m always doing that, I mean I hardly ever go out believe it or not!
What do you like to watch?
Hang on a second, I have a call, it could be my mum...
Article from issue 32 june/july 2010. To order this issue go to the Northern Life online store.