Elle Macpherson

Elle Macpherson

Elle is perhaps best known as a supermodel, nicknamed 'the body', but her illustrious career has been marked by variety. As well as her hugely successful modelling career she is also an actress, businesswoman, and producer. Elle Macpherson (born 29 March 1964) is perhaps best known for her record five cover appearances for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue beginning in the 1980s leading to her nickname "the body". She is also known as the founder and primary model for a series of business ventures including Elle Macpherson Intimates, a lingerie line, and "The Body," a line of skin care products.

Acting Career

Elle made her movie debut playing an artist's model in the 1994 Sirens. After Sirens, she followed with a two-year series of acting roles, appearing in films such as Woody Allen’s Alice, Batman & Robin alongside George Clooney, The Edge with Anthony Hopkins, and The Mirror Has Two Faces with Barbra Streisand. In 1999, Elle appeared in five episodes of the American TV series Friends, as Joey's roommate and girlfriend, Janine Lecroix. She went on to act in the movie Jane Eyre with William Hurt, and she has also appeared alongside Ben Stiller and Sarah Jessica Parker in If Lucy Fell. She also played the modelling agent Claudia Foster in The CW Network's drama series, The Beautiful Life, appearing with Mischa Barton, Sara Paxton and Corbin Bleu. The show centred on aspiring models working for a modelling agency, trying to make it big in New York City and in the fashion world.

Business Ventures

In 1990, when Elle launched her lingerie collection 'Elle Macpherson Intimates' in partnership with Bendon Limited Apparel, it was among the first instances of a crossover between a model and a fashion label. In 1989, when she was first approached by Bendon to promote their lingerie in Australia, Macpherson saw an opportunity to reverse their strategy and suggested a licensing arrangement, with products bearing her name and designs created in partnership with Bendon's team. Though commonplace now, the idea was unorthodox at the time. Macpherson took a leading role in the development and management of the company, serving as Chief Marketing Officer and later Creative Director. In January 2010, Macpherson expanded the line, launching Obsidian as a sub-brand. Macpherson has also created her own line of beauty products: "Elle Macpherson – The Body". The line was carried at Boots, and Australian suncare brand Invisible Zinc. In 2010, she became the host and executive producer of Britain & Ireland's Next Top Model. The following year saw Elle star alongside Gary Lineker in an advertisement for Walkers Crinkles.