Supermodel Veronica Webb, who was the first black supermodel to win an exclusive contract for a major cosmetics company, and has modeled for Karl Lagerfeld, as well as appeared on the covers Vogue, Essence and Elle, has acquired a plethora of beauty and fitness knowledge throughout her impressive career, so it’s fitting that Webb will host the inaugural Healthy Guru event this summer.
Taking place at the Southampton Arts Center on Saturday, July 9th, the Hamptons happening will mix fitness, fashion and so much more. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., attendees can take classes with the industry’s top trainers, attend panels with leading experts, shop from brands including Rodan + Fields, Essentia water, Phat Buddawear, Beauty Blow Bar and more. After the day of beauty and fitness, Guru-goers can toast to the celebration during a cocktail party from 5 to 8 p.m.
We caught up with Webb to learn about her fitness regime, beauty must-haves and what it was like to work with Kanye West for his Yeezy’s Fall 2016 season show.
What was it about Healthy Guru that attracted you to the event?
VW: Well, I love everything that has to do with fitness and I’m always looking at every aspect about how I can make myself stronger and healthier. Whether that’s what I eat, a brand new workout that can be anything from cardio to boxing to TRX to figure skating; you name it, I’m into it. Also, anytime there’s a way to eat healthier, or actually dress healthier, I’m into it.
What are you most looking forward to about Healthy Guru?
VW: I’m most looking forward to seeing all these different people who are at the absolute pinnacle of their profession, in terms of creating beautiful, healthy bodies, all in one place, and being able to have that conversation all at once to find out what’s at the frontier of fitness and also, I’m excited because I have a lot of friends who are coming that aren’t necessarily really dedicated to their personal fitness yet. It’s a great place for them to find the foundation of their own personal fitness.
Do you have any beauty, fashion or fitness tips that you can’t live without?
VW: Yes, one of which is break a sweat every single day. It doesn’t matter how you do it, as long as you do it. Sometimes all you can get in is running for the train, it counts. One of the things that I always do, every single day, is I stretch before I get out of bed. There’s a third one I think is really important too. Any exercise you do, if you do it three days in a row, that’s when it’s most beneficial because it takes your body 72 hours to make a change, and it takes 72 hours to create a good habit and 72 hours to break a bad habit.
How would you describe your personal style and how has it evolved?
VW: My personal style has always been sporty because I’m somebody who’s very kinetic, I like to move around. I work out, I travel, and I have kids. When I came to New York, I went to art school, so you know that’s hours and hours of sitting on floors working on projects. It’s very important that you look cool while doing all that stuff, especially when you’re in art school. It’s always been searching for that balance of comfort and sophistication.
It seems that every season trends from the past always make a come back. Are there any trends you hope come back into style.
VW: I love heavy gold jewelry, whether it comes from Canal Street, or David Webb. That’s a trend that never goes away. Western is coming back, and I’m not talking about cowboy boots. That’s always a great trend that comes and goes. I love it because it’s quintessentially American.
What was it like to join Naomi Campbell and Alek Wek at Yeezy’s Fall 2016 season show?
VW: I love anything that moves our industry forward. The direct to consumer fashion shows are a very interesting business model to me because the people that are the buyers and consumers of what is on the runway are right there, giving the thumbs up and the thumbs down.
How did you get involved with Rodan + Fields?
VW: Rodan + Fields really happened because I started using the products and I fell in love with them. I found that for the issues I was addressing in my skin, which is melasma and sensitivity, I got amazing results and very quickly. I recommended it to so many of my friends I decided to become a consultant. What I really love about the business is that I can work it around my family, rather than working my family around my business. That has given me a tremendous amount of freedom to be able to work from anywhere and spend time with my family, plus work with something I love.
What are some of your favorite products?
VW: Soothe because it works on everybody in the house, from little kids to my aunts and uncles. And, Reverse because that really protects your skin from the sun and also helps to reverse sun damage and melasma that happens from pregnancy and hormones.
Tickets to Healthy Guru are $40 and proceeds will benefit the Southampton Arts Center.
Southampton Arts Center is located at 25 Jobs Lane in Southampton. For tickets or more information, visit healthyguru.com.