I hid my quick post-baby weight loss – I didn’t want to annoy people, reveals Vogue Williams
THERE'S little doubt that Vogue Williams has been blessed with the genetics of dreams. Yes, she trains regularly, but her super-lean, athletic physique comes relatively easily and, as a result, it wasn’t much of a struggle to get back to normal post-pregnancy.
However, whisper that last bit, because Vogue admits today that her rapid snap-back wasn’t something she felt like celebrating – in fact, it made her extremely conscious of the message she sent out to other women. So much so, she deliberately hid her body away following the birth of her second baby, Gigi, last July.
“There is so much pressure put on women about this and I didn’t want to add to that when actually, instead of worrying about losing the baby weight, we should be worrying about where our pelvic floor is at and how our mental health is doing. All of that is so much more important.
“It’s purely down to my body type that I went back to how I was before without too much effort, and I did find myself trying to hide that for the first few months. I’d always done my tanning stuff [Insta posts promoting her line of self-tan products], but I wanted to wait so as not to annoy people.
“I just didn’t want to make anyone else feel bad by being all, ‘hey, look at me after having a baby,’ because the last thing anyone wants to see is someone who’s lost the weight quicker than you.”
Empathetic and sensitive, it’s an honest admission and shows that Vogue, 35, understands that with influencing comes responsibility. She recognises that the speed with which she regained her pre-baby body would be completely unrealistic for most new mums.
She also points out that she knew she’d be criticised for losing weight too quickly – there is judgement and policing right across the spectrum when it comes to women’s bodies.
“That’s the thing about the internet,” she says. “If you lose the weight fast, everyone assumes you jumped into it and if you don’t then you get people saying: ‘Ooh, she’s still carrying her baby weight’. So you kind of can’t win. People think it makes them feel better if they say something awful about someone else, but I would rather be super-positive and then whatever you put out comes back.
“And when it’s to do with anyone else’s body, the best thing you can do is not pass comment at all.”
The vast majority of Vogue’s social media interactions are positive, she says. She has a “lovely group of people” (all 840,000 of them) following her and it generally feels like a very supportive community. But occasionally she sees a comment that cuts deep.
“Sometimes you see that and of course it gets to me. I am happy, my life is amazing, I have two amazing kids, a great husband [former Made In Chelsea star Spencer Matthews, 32] and I’m so happy in my life and with what I’m doing, so I pull back and remember that. But some of the stuff that’s written is just so awful.
“And Spencer wouldn’t get nearly as much as me. It’s normally always pointed at women.”
Is she a feminist?
“I wanted to have a positive, fun podcast that you could imagine as sitting around with your mates and talking about what’s going on during the week. We want everyone to feel like they’re out having drinks with us – it’s literally just a chat so the whole thing rolls.
“Joanne and I have always been in the same friend group since we were 18, but we clicked as really close friends in the last two years. She’s just one of those people that if you’re feeling s**t you can ring her and she will automatically lift your mood.
“If this year has shown me anything, it’s how much I value my friendships. I love being around her, she’s brilliant.”
Given its free-flowing, stream of consciousness, no-holds-barred kind of vibe… should Spencer be worried?
If this year has shown me anything, it’s how much I value my friendships
Vogue Williams
“He should be!” laughs Vogue. “But he loves being talked about so it’s all good.”
These days, Spencer works full-time on his Clean Co brand of low-alcohol spirits, and Vogue says he’s enjoying his new role as an entrepreneur after years of reality TV.
“He is loving it. That’s what he spends his nine-to-five doing now and it’s going really well, which is fantastic. I think this is more his vibe [than the celebrity world]. If the right TV project came along, I’m sure he’d do that, but this is his baby. He’s found something he really loves and he’s put so much of his focus and energy into it so it’s lovely to see how well he is doing.”
Spencer gave up alcohol three years ago and has said if he hadn’t, Vogue may well have left him. She plays this down today.
“I don’t necessarily prefer him sober because he wasn’t a messy drunk and he was never mean. But he is a million times more productive this way. He was drinking so regularly that he was never fully focused or motivated.”
They both hope there will be more kids in the future.
In the makeup chair with Vogue
What’s your skincare routine?
I change my products regularly so my skin doesn’t get used to the same thing. I use a liquid cleanser with a face cloth, then put a serum on and a night cream. I spray on Bare by Vogue Face Tanning Mist twice a week, and always use an SPF30+.
What’s your luxury item?
L’Occitane Almond Shower Oil – It smells amazing.
Who’s your beauty icon?
Kate Bosworth is gorgeous and classic.
Best beauty bargain?
You can get great false lashes in Primark. And I love Carmex for my lips.
What’s your top beauty tip?
I love an HD brow – it makes such a difference to your face and the way it’s framed. It can make you look younger.
Describe your beauty evolution?
I’ve had some horrific mishaps with my eyebrows in the past! And I take real care of my skin now as well.
“I wouldn’t say we were done yet. I would love to have more, if we are lucky enough. Spenny is the same, he’s up to five now. Seriously. I’ve told him that no one will invite us anywhere if we have five! But I think definitely four.”
While TV and radio will always be her first loves Vogue has built up a lucrative business as an influencer and collaborator, much of it via Instagram.
She has just launched a collection of pastel-coloured tracksuits with cashmere label Lucy Nagle and has teamed up with Fairy as the face of its new Non-bio Platinum Pods.
“Fairy is such an iconic brand and so when they came to me it was like: ‘Oh my god, I’m going to be a Fairy Mum!’ which was very exciting.
“For me my main base has always been TV and radio but then getting to work with brands I’ve loved for years is the icing on the cake.”
There are downsides to self-employed life, she says, but she wouldn’t change it.
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“There is always something new to look forward to, that’s what I love about my job, it’s really different all the time. Sure, you don’t always know when work is coming in and sometimes things are slower, but for the last little while it’s been a nice run for me. I’m happy.”
- Fairy Non-Bio Platinum Pods With Extra Stain Removal are available from Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Wilko, Ocado and Amazon.
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