By: Lily Smith
Caprice Bourret is an award-winning model, businesswoman, philanthropist, and actress. Having shot to fame in the 1990s, Caprice’s breakthrough cover was for Vogue Magazine. She is often referred to as “one of the most photographed women in the world” and has appeared on more than 350 magazine covers across the globe and in over 150 TV shows and films. Caprice settled in England in her early 20s from her humble beginnings in Southern California.
Caprice has been voted GQ Magazine’s Woman of the Year and Maxim’s International Woman of the Year for three consecutive years. Her American entrepreneurial spirit has seen her diversify into other areas, such as music and acting, and she invested her first million in property at a young age.
Caprice founded By Caprice in 2006, and the brand has become hugely successful worldwide. We caught up with Caprice, and she announced that her home line is now available at Macy’s Online.
Caprice, it is a pleasure to talk to you! You forged a successful modeling career, appearing on over 300 front covers worldwide. You’ve often spoken about your “plan B” and how you moved into the business world, launching By Caprice at the height of your fame. How did you find that transition as you pivoted your career, and what challenges did you encounter along the way?
Caprice: I realized that when I hit my 30s, my days as a model were numbered. I knew I had one foot in the grave in terms of my career and needed a plan B. In 2000, Debenhams used my name on a range of lingerie after I convinced the then-CEO Terry Green. Licensing deals were unheard of back then, and they took a huge risk investing in me. After seeing how much money the line was making, six years in, I bought back the license and began By Caprice. I was able to do so by saving money from my covers, fronting campaigns, and being an ambassador for household brands. I wanted to build a business to pass on to my family and, most importantly, do what I love: empowering other women.
I’m not going to lie – it wasn’t easy. Quite rightly, suppliers and stockists had no interest in some model who could be here one minute and gone the next. I stalked people to get them to take me seriously, and I had to prove my numbers. I had to study the market, see for myself which designs worked and which didn’t, make fast decisions about stock, and look at finances, exchange rates, and where the best factories were. After Debenhams, it took me two years to persuade two other high-street stockists to buy into the brand. I still get stereotyped to this day, but I am a smart and hardworking female who doesn’t give in. I get my work ethic from my mom, who raised my sister and me as a successful single-working mom. Now, my By Caprice Home range is stocked on Macy’s Online. I am also the brand ambassador for Peacocks, one of Britain’s biggest fashion chains.
Photo Courtesy: Caprice Home
You have recently diversified again. Tell us all about your movie career and why now?
Caprice: After my brain tumor surgery, I reevaluated my life and wanted to pick up a former passion. I previously starred in and produced West End shows in London. So now, I was going to castings, but a lot of the time, I wouldn’t even get to that stage as casting directors would stereotype me. So, I thought, okay, I’m just going to do this myself. I teamed up with a lady who produces movies for the likes of Hallmark, and I learned all about the business. I am now into my third movie, which I am executive producing and starring in as the lead. We’ve just sold the first movie to a big US network. It’s a labor of love but equally so rewarding, and I am loving it.
What is the best piece of business advice you have ever been given?
Caprice: The harder you work, the luckier you get.
Congratulations on your By Caprice Home range coming to Macy’s Online in America. For those who aren’t familiar, tell us all about your bedding range and why it has stood the test of time when other celebrity ranges come and go.
Caprice: Thank you! “By Caprice Home” is all about making women feel empowered, sexy, and feminine. Our designs are opulent, glamorous, and unique. You will find lots of sparkles! We have some stunning exclusive designs for Macy’s Online, from Hollywood glam to beautiful floral prints now online. We work with an amazing team of designers who study the fashion trends and what customers are currently loving in the collections, and that is the key to our success. Customers are also smart; they want value for money, and design is important. Brand integrity is crucial. I can’t speak for other celebrity brands, but what I will say is you have to really love what you do, and too many people just put their name to something they are not really invested in. It’s important to be true to yourself.
Who was/is an inspirational force behind your success and why?
Caprice: My mom. I have so much admiration for her, and she instilled that American entrepreneurial spirit in me. As a single mom of two, I saw how much she sacrificed and respected her more so for growing a hugely successful design business that saw my sister and me in a fortunate place due to my mom’s resilient work ethic.
Photo Courtesy: Caprice Home
What advice do you have for others on being a working mother? Is there a secret formula?
Caprice: I don’t think there is a secret formula. I moved my office to my home a few years ago to be closer to the children when they got home from school. I think it is so hard not to have mom guilt, but all working moms should remember we have to go off to work every day. We have to provide for our families and put food on the table. The quality time we spend with them is what we should focus on. It’s not a secret formula, but my advice to myself and others.
If you could recommend one book to our readers for leisure or business, what would it be and why?
Caprice: “The House of Klein” and reading all about his empire. Try to read autobiographies by people who have achieved epic success in life.
Finally, what are your future goals in your career path for the next few years? What do you hope to achieve?
Caprice: Growing the businesses and taking them to new heights.
For more information about Caprice and her product company JJLOVE PRODUCTIONS, visit www.caprice bourret.com. By Caprice Home is now available at www.macys.com.
Published by: Holy Minoza
