Jourdan Dunn On Meeting Beyonce And Being Happy Within Herself

Of all the supermodels we've ever met (and yes, there have been a few) Jourdan Dunn has to be one of the nicest and certainly the most down to earth.

And what's more she's no one trick pony. Jourdan has recently shown off her creative flair, collaborating with HTC and supercool tattoo artist Cally-Jo Pothecary to create an intricate bodyart design for their One M9 handset.

We sat down with the 24-year-old model at London's fabulous ME Hotel - in the penthouse, natch - to discuss designing, hanging out with Cara and what's it's REALLY like when you meet Beyonce...

**GraziaDaily: We love the design you've created for the HTC One M9, tell us a bit about how it came about... **

Jourdan Dunn: The design that I created with Cally-Jo was actually is actually going to be my next bodyart so because it's kind of personal to me I thought, you know, why not put it on the handset. I just love what it represents, the hand represents protection and it can mean a lot to people of different religions like protection, happiness, growth and luck. I thought having that on your phone which you carry around all the time would be a good thing.

**GD: We bet it will be weird to see people carrying around the phone with your bodyart on it... **

Jourdan: Yeah, it will be. I was actually just talking to Cally-Jo now and I was like I want the same design, I love it.

GD: Did the tattoos you already have provide inspiration?

Jourdan: Well all of my bodyart means something to me they're really personal so, yeah I liked what it meant and I felt like everybody can relate to it.

GD: How many do you have in total?

Jourdan: I think eight.

GD: Would you like to have more?

Jourdan: If I really could I would just be inked all over! I am so obsessed with body art so I would really love to be inked everywhere.

**GD: Maybe you could get one of those giant Cheryl Fernandez-Versini type pieces... **

Jourdan: I don't know about that but yeah, I would like to have a lot more.

GD: You said this project has helped you to utilise your creative side, would you consider doing your own line?

Jourdan: Yes! I'm really excited because I feel like this is a new chapter of my career and I'm really getting the opportunity to be creative and I've expressed in the past that I want to go into the design side of things. The announcement with Fluid World and developing my own young adult range and kidswear it's really exciting and I'm looking forward to exploring that a bit more.

GD: What can we expect from your designs?

Jourdan: I would say that my own style is street chic so it's basically going to be street chic [laughs].

GD: Do you think it's important for women to be able to branch out and not pigeon holed in their careers?

Jourdan: I think it's important that if you have an opportunity to do things you should do it. We are so lucky that we have so many resources that are available to us and I don't think we should ever limit ourselves at all. We limit ourselves and other people give us limits so I feel like no, you should pigeon hole yourself and you should go for what you want.

**GD: You often post pictures of your famous pals on Instagram, who would you say you're closest to in the industry? **

Jourdan: I would say I'm closest to my friend Sigail Currie she's like my best friend, ever. And then Karlie and Cara as well, she's like my little sister though.

**GD: What is it about those guys that you like? **

Jourdan: I guess because I just like really cool normal chics and that's what they are, apart from Cara, Cara's a bit crazy but the good kind of crazy. I just like that, fun girls and we just have a good time together.

GD: What do you get up to when you hang out?

Jourdan: Well because one could be in New York, one could be in London and we're all travelling the world at different times once we are all together I guess it's just a good catch up. Nothing crazy.

**GD: Is it important to you to have a close group of female friends? **

Jourdan: Yeah I think it's important to have good people in your life who you can turn to when you're down and turn to when you're happy just to experience life with.

GD: You started your career at a very young age - Jourdan was spotted aged just 15 - what advice would you give your younger self now?

Jourdan: I would say don't think of any criticism as critisism, think of it as constructive criticism. And don't take it too seriously, it's not really that deep, it really isn't. I think I can say that now because I'm a mum and I'm now not worried about being booked for that show, or they didn't cast me for the opening - there are bigger thing that are important. I love my job but I see it in a different way.

GD: Was that something that bothered you when you were younger?

Jourdan: Yeah, you really get effected when you're younger. You know I think, don't worry so much. A lot of the girls do start out young and people forget that we were teenagers and we're still trying to figure out our bodies and be comfortable within ourselves so when you do get criticism it does damage you a bit but I feel like you learn to love yourself.

**GD: As s model we get to see you rocking some of the hottest clothes on the planet, but what do you feel most comfortable in? **

I think my favourite look is when I'm on the plane or at home when I'm just in my jogging bottoms and a t-shirt, vest top or just in an oversized t-shirt I just feel most relaxed and comfortable. I love Adidas!

GD: You're part of a group of models known just as much for your cat walk credentials as for your social media status, is that something you're pleased to be part of?

Jourdan: Yes. I love the fact that I can talk to my - I hate saying fans - but fans from across the world. It's nice to be able to connect with them and I like the fact that with social media I can also people get to know me. It's a place I can have a voice, you know, stuff gets written and it's a chance for me be me.

GD: You've meet a lot of famous people, is there anyone who has ever left you starstruck?

Jourdan: Beyonce, most definitely. I remember when I first met her, like I grew up on Destiny's Child so I would be in my room, pretending I was the fifth member and everything. And so remember first meeting her with Cara at the MET ball and we were freaking out and she came over to us and we were like, "Oh wait, is she coming over to us." And she was talking to us and the only thing that we could really say is, "Can we hold you," [laughs]. It's like what? Who says that to someone? Can we hold you? We just took turns giving her a hug, it was so weird and embaressing but when I got the opportunity to be in two of her videos that was just amazing and she's just such an amazing energy to be around. Just seeing her with her team and she's just so humble so nice, it was amazing. Because you don't know when you meet people who you look up to, you don't know who what you're going to get and the fact that she was everything I was expecting and more. She was out of this planet!

*Jourdan Dunn has launched the HTC One M9 handset, 'inked' with her own body art design. The phone is available as a limited edition on www.htc.com/UK/ink/. *