Claudia Schiffer is happy for her career to come second to her family.
The 54-year-old supermodel admitted her focus changed after she married Matthew Vaughn and they had their three children, Casper, now 21, Clementine, 19, and Cosima, 14.
She became less ‘competitive’, and while she knows she could still book more jobs if she wanted to, she’s content with the balance she’s achieved in her life.
She recently told Britain’s HELLO! magazine: ‘When I was in my 20s, travelling around the world, my focus was on my career – working hard, being competitive and getting to the top.
‘That changed when I had kids, and now, I feel lucky to have such a wonderful family.
‘I’m proud of my children, they’re very down to earth and their wellbeing is mine and my husband’s priority.
Claudia Schiffer is happy for her career to come second to her family. The 54-year-old supermodel admitted her focus changed after she married Matthew Vaughn and they had their three children, Casper, now 21, Clementine, 19, and Cosima, 14. Seen in January
Claudia in the stands watching the Premier League match between Brentford and Nottingham Forest at the Gtech Community Stadium, London with her daughter on December 21
‘I could take on a lot more runways, photoshoots and other projects,’ she said.
‘But maintaining a balance that enables me to spend quality time with my family and be there when they need me is far more important to me than doing a great new campaign.’
Claudia was one of the original supermodels alongside Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington.
Though she appreciates their position in the fashion industry was ‘revolutionary’, it was only looking back much later that she understood just how special a time it was.
She said: ‘The 1990s saw the rise of the supermodel, but also the emergence of style culture and fearless creativity.
‘ A wave of young new talent fundamentally changed the way we viewed fashion and design.
‘Previously, models had been categorized as runway, commercial or editorial, but as supermodels, we traversed those boundaries, becoming household names that represented self-made success.
‘We were at the forefront of everything and whatever we wanted, we made happen, which was revolutionary for the industry.
The German stunner in Chanel Swimwear in the 1990s
Claudia on the runway during the Chanel Haute Couture show as part of Paris Fashion Week Spring/Summer 1990-1991 in January, 1990 in Paris
Schiffer at a Versace Haute Couture show in Paris in 1995
‘I barely took a day off, travelling constantly across the world, but it was huge fun too.
‘It was only when I got married and later became pregnant, so I went at a slower pace, that I could truly look back and appreciate how special the 1990s were – unlike any other decade.’
This comes after the cover girl said she ‘feasts’ all day long at Christmas.
She admitted the festive period is a ‘time of indulgence’ so she is happy to tuck into all her favorite foods throughout the holiday period.
Speaking before Christmas, she told Britain’s HELLO! magazine: ‘We’re always at home in Suffolk for Christmas. We embrace German traditions like St. Martin and St. Nicholas. When the kids were little, St. Nicholas used to visit in person, reading from his book to see if they’d been good enough to deserve a present.
‘Then on December 25, the children put out their shoes at night, hoping they’ll be filled with Christmas sweets, clementines, and nuts! Now that mine are grown, I still continue the tradition, mainly to enjoy the special German Christmas candies you can’t find in England…
‘Christmas is a time of indulgence for us, with a feast that lasts from breakfast to late-night snacks. On Christmas Eve, we typically enjoy a crispy goose with gravy, potato dumplings, brussels sprouts, cauliflower cheese, and desserts like tiramisu, glazed marble cake, and Tarte Tatin.
She at the Yves Saint Laurent tuxedo show in 2002
‘On the 25th, it’s turkey and ham with all the trimmings, followed by desserts such as bread-and-butter pudding or freshly baked chocolate chip cookies.’
The blonde beauty still uses the Christmas decorations from her childhood on her tree.
She said: ‘I also decorate the tree with carved wooden ornaments from my childhood. I grew up with real candles, lit on the Christmas tree!’
During the festive season, Claudia and Matthew like to host a number of parties for their friends and family.
She said: ‘I love hosting parties and the way it brings friends together. Most years we have a Christmas cocktail party, as well as an annual New Year’s Eve party for all our close friends and family. It’s always themed and a great way to end the year; everyone in their costumes, all ages coming together.
‘Last year our theme was Studio 54, but my favourite is Oktoberfest. It’s hilarious seeing all my non-German friends wear Lederhosen and Dirndls. I wish I could wear a dirndl every day!’