Surf to the site of Deblon Sports and you immediately put everything in your shopping cart. At least, I do. When I called designer Celine to make an interview appointment, I also complimented her on the site and the model wearing the clothes. “Oh well, that's nice, that's me!” You can imagine that I was even more eager to meet her then, because I wanted to know exactly how she manages that. We agreed to meet at the Bijenkorf, because her collection is also hanging there since this week. 

Tell me, covergirl of Women’s Health Brazil. How do you become that?

“Well, that's just luck. I already lived there because I was in a relationship with a Brazilian and I worked as a full-time model. Then the magazine approached me. I think Brazilian women are the most beautiful women in the world, so I felt incredibly honored.”

I assume you spend ten thousand hours in the gym for such a shoot?

“I’m already very sporty, so nothing really changed. When I still lived in Brazil, I exercised every day. In the morning I did a Pilates class. That was also very good for my posture. I was quite a shy girl and I had to compete with the Brazilian woman, who is incredibly proud. In addition, I also had a personal trainer. That's very normal there, everyone has one. It's also much cheaper than here. And I really love running. Sounds like a lot, but for me it has become part of my daily life.”

Now you have moved back to the Netherlands. Are you still just as enthusiastic?

“I still exercise enthusiastically, but since the start of Deblon Sports, I train more purposefully. If I have a shoot now, I know exactly what I need to do to look good and fit the next day.“

Ah, can you give me those exercises too?

“Well, that varies so much per body. I always train my glutes and the inner thighs a bit and I use a TRX. Those are two cables that hang in the air to which you can do exercises using your own body weight. You can always find those in a gym. Then some abdominal exercises.”

Besides modeling, you started Deblon Sports. Tell me about it.

“I came up with it when I lived in Brazil. There, everyone always goes to the gym looking their best, and it's very important to look fit. Healthy living is part of their lifestyle. I wanted to design clothes for the Netherlands in which you feel beautiful and proud while exercising. Eventually, a year and a half ago, I made the decision with my best friend, Marjolein Buss, and we started Deblon Sports.

In Brazil, isn’t it ‘the bigger the better’, right?

“Yes, that's true, but it also depends on which neighborhood you are in. In the more affluent areas, everyone is incredibly focused on healthy eating, going to the gym, and there is especially a lot of attention for sportswear. The sexier, the better, but it must be of good quality.“

What makes Deblon Sports so special?

“The clothing is made from super high-quality fabric from Brazil. The fabric has a firm stretch, which makes it feel a bit thicker. This provides extra support to the female body while still being breathable. We are less focused on the trend of bright colors and prints nowadays. We prefer a more chic look. A small pocket for your iPhone, a top with straps that cross on your back, or a little sweater with a small piece of bare shoulder. The leggings provide a bit more support to the body, so your butt gets a lift. .

I think the clothing is also very much something for Net-a-Porter.

Have you already thrown out a feeler?

“No, Net-a-Porter seems absolutely interesting to us, but we are trying to build it all up slowly, because I still work as a full-time model. I still have to recover from the fact that we are in the Bijenkorf. Totally amazing, but also nerve-wracking. We specially designed an outfit for the department store, including a top in a cherry color. How many times the samples have been sent back and forth to Brazil (that’s where the clothing is made). It’s enough to drive you crazy. It’s all still new for us, so extra exciting.“

Then I can imagine you are looking forward to the weekend.

What time do you kick that off?

“This week I’m skipping the weekend. That happens more often. I’m flying to Morocco for a shoot. My boyfriend is a pilot and also has a lot of irregular working hours, so that works out well. It’s always a party when we are both off. Last week, I kicked off Friday on a set in Abu Dhabi together with Nicole Kidman. I’m in a TV commercial with her.“

Okay, how is she?

“This woman is perhaps even more chic than Princess Beatrix. She had a whole brigade of people with her. Her family, hairdresser, makeup artist, stylist, manager. She had two trucks of her own, one completely for herself with a bed to relax in and another for all her clothes. She has a stand-in who is used to check if the light and sound are okay, and only when everything is completely ready, does she come out.”

And? Did you manage to sneak her a pair of sports shorts?

“Yes, that was a great opportunity. She was even a big fan of the brand. But I didn’t dare to ask her for a photo in her new sports outfit.”

You are 28 and you already have a mega career behind you. Do you still have dreams?

“Maybe I’ll stop my modeling job in a while so I can fully focus on Deblon Sports. And... indeed children. Preferably a lot!”