“Miranda Kerr’s back in town!” my driver proudly announces minutes after my own arrival in Sydney. News of the Australian model’s home­coming that weekend—and airport reunion with her three­-year­-old son, Flynn—spread as quickly as photos of Kerr looking impeccably polished on arrival in a dove­grey coat and nude heels.

Two days later, she greets me between sips of celery­-cucumber­-kale­-blend juice, excited to chat about the launch of Swarovski’s Facets of Light fall/winter 2014 collection, for which she fronts a gorgeous Steven Meisel-shot campaign.

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What first piqued your interest in jewellery?
“My grandmother grew up not having very much money, but she always looked so elegant. And she always wore pearls. So when I was working with Swarovski, I fell in love with their beautiful pearls. Every woman needs a string—with crystals.”

What has been the biggest change since you started modelling at 14?

“In the beginning, I thought my career would be short­lived, but here I am at 31. I started off doing much more commercial jobs until I worked with Steven Meisel [for Vogue Italia in 2010] and Willy Vanderperre. Then people started seeing me in a different light. I was grateful to work with people who had creative vision.”

As a street-style icon, do you worry about dressing for photographers?

“My grandmother instilled in me that it’s important to take care of yourself. Even when I was pregnant—I was schlepping around in my pyjamas and she was like, ‘C’mon, Miranda, put on some nice clothes; we’re going out!’”

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What’s next for you? Will you follow in the footsteps of some of your model-turned-actress predecessors?
“Who knows? Never say never. But the thing about movies is that you need a good three months’ time, and I don’t have three months off— not even a month off.”

Supermodel treatment

Miranda Kerr’s three faves of the moment.
Song on repeat: “‘Magic’ by Coldplay.”
Carryall: 
“A Birkin bag.” Obvs.
Most dog-eared pages: “Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse.”

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