On the eve of the release of her first book, Powerful Inspirations, the former- cover-girl-turned-conglomerate tells us what inspires her about this Relax-ing Mexican resort.
This model isn't what she seems. That's according to national gossip columnist Liz Smith, who says Kathy Ireland, once a staple on magazine covers worldwide, most famously the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, has transformed herself from supermodel to supermogul. Her company, Kathy Ireland Worldwide (visit www.kathyireland.com), is a billion-dollar business, producing clothing, carpeting, furniture, watches, and exercise equipment for the woman Kathy Ireland has also become: a working mom. (Her line's hallmark is affordable prices, comfortable design, and the ability to endure wear, tear, spills, and stains.) This month, Ireland expands her empire into publishing with the release of her book, Powerful Inspirations, in which she shares eight revelations that empowered her to break out of modeling and into big business. When she gets time for a getaway, the 39-year-old California resident and her husband pack up their two kids and head for Puerto Vallarta, a once-sleepy fishing village that has since become a favored resort on the Mexican coastline. Ireland fell in love with the city first through the travel tales of her grandfather, then on multiple modeling and TV assignments, and, finally, as a wife and mother. Here's a weekend with Kathy Ireland in Puerto Vallarta, where ancient architecture and vibrant colors inspire her designs and whose beaches and solitude provide her some much needed downtime.
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