V halfpipu išče popolno osredotočenost, v modi svobodo izražanja, ob oceanu pa mir. Kanoe Pelfrey o trenutkih, ko je povsem prisotna, lepoti značaja in sanjah, v katerih ima glavno vlogo njen zlati prinašalec Hoku.
Pred tekmovalnim nastopom si zavrti glasbo, ki ustreza njenemu razpoloženju, in poskuša odmisliti vse razen trenutka pred seboj. Ta osredotočenost spremlja tudi druge plati njenega življenja: predanost manekenstvu in igralstvu, veselje do potovanj ter raziskovanje osebnega sloga. Kanoe Pelfrey privlačijo izrazite barve, natančno krojeni smokingi in hollywoodska eleganca, pri ljudeh pa najbolj ceni prijaznost, ki se pokaže tudi v zahtevnih trenutkih.
Kaj se vam podi po glavi tik pred začetkom tekmovalnega nastopa? Kaj vam daje ta občutek?
Poskušam odmisliti okolico in doseči stanje popolne osredotočenosti. Obožujem ta občutek, ko sem povsem prisotna in ujeta v ritem trenutka.
Vedno si zavrtim glasbo, ki mi tisti dan najbolj ustreza. Izbor sega od elektronske plesne glasbe in britanskega rapa do J Booga. Vožnja v snežnem žlebu mi daje naval adrenalina in vznemirjenje, ki ju težko primerjam s čim drugim.
Kdo je Kanoe Pelfrey zunaj žarometov? Kako bi vas opisali vaši najbližji?
Kot nekoga, ki rad potuje in odkriva svet, je prijazen in se veliko smeji. Verjetno bi rekli tudi, da sem zelo odločna in povsem zaljubljena v svojega zlatega prinašalca Hokuja.
Najpogosteje me najdete na plaži ali na smučišču. Predvsem pa mislim, da bi poudarili mojo predanost delu, manekenstvu in igralstvu.
Katere lepotne in sprostitvene navade vam ob tako aktivnem življenju pomagajo obnoviti energijo?
Rada uporabljam vlažilne maske za obraz in obožujem korejsko kozmetiko. Med ličili najpogosteje izbiram obarvane kreme, tekoče podlage in kreme znamke Armani. Vizažisti pri meni pogosto uporabljajo tudi Nars in Dior, zato rada posegam še po njunih izdelkih.
Na noge, stopala in dlani rada nanesem losjon z vonjem vanilje, za dodatno nego stopal pa uporabljam vlažilne maske.
Pri umirjanju mi pomaga meditacija. Rada se kopam tudi v naravnih bazenčkih med vulkanskimi skalami ob obali. Voda mi daje občutek miru, me osveži in mi pomaga znova zbrati energijo.
Lepoto pogosto povezujemo z videzom, a njen pomen je lahko precej osebnejši. Kako se je vaše razumevanje lepote spreminjalo?
Vedno bolj jo prepoznavam v ljudeh, ki pomagajo drugim, tudi kadar je težko njim samim. Takšna oseba se mi zdi izjemno lepa. Želim se obkrožati z ljudmi, ki drugim iskreno privoščijo dobro.
Lepota je zame povezana z dostojanstvom in odnosom do drugih. Če nekdo do vas ni prijazen, vi pa ga kljub temu obravnavate spoštljivo, je v tem prava prefinjenost. Potrpežljivost, obzirnost in drobne pozornosti povedo veliko o človeku.
Kaj vas danes najbolj navdušuje v modi in kateri slogi so vam posebej blizu?
Navdušuje me, da ljudje modo uporabljajo za izražanje sebe in z oblačili pripovedujejo zgodbe. Izbirajo kose, v katerih prepoznajo osebo, kakršna želijo biti, namesto da bi poskušali biti podobni drugim. Ta uporniška energija me navdihuje. Tudi oblikovalci ponujajo več raznolikosti in s tem več svobode pri ustvarjanju osebnega videza.
Vsako leto me pritegnejo izrazite barvne kombinacije na tednu mode v Københavnu. Obožujem poletne barve in kose, ki ujamejo sončno razpoloženje. Blizu so mi obleke z V-izrezom, odprtim hrbtom ali odkritimi rameni, pa tudi oprijeti kroji v kombinaciji s škornji nad koleni.
Rada imam premišljene silhuete, ki poudarijo telo. Zanima me, kako lahko s krojem ustvarimo optični učinek, denimo podaljšamo noge. Natančno krojen smoking s torbico je še eden mojih najljubših videzov. Zame izraža moč.
S katero modno hišo bi najraje sodelovali in kaj bi želeli ustvariti?
Izbrala bi dve: Chanel in Fendi. S Chanelom bi si želela ustvariti elegantno, lahkotno večerno obleko, ki bi ujela čar starega Hollywooda.
S Fendijem pa prikupen poletni videz za raziskovanje rimskih ulic, seveda z mini torbico Mon Tresor.
Katera neuresničena osebna želja nima nič skupnega z vašo kariero?
Rada bi odprla pasjo kavarno, kamor bi lahko prihajala tudi s svojim psom. Hoku se namreč zelo rad druži z drugimi psi.
Predstavljam si prostor s pasjimi priboljški, kjer bi se psi lahko družili, nekateri pa bi dobili tudi priložnost za posvojitev in nov dom.
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Kanoe Pelfrey: Between Adrenaline and Elegance
In the halfpipe, she finds focus; in fashion, freedom of expression; by the ocean, a sense of calm. Kanoe Pelfrey talks about being fully present, the beauty of character and a personal dream starring her golden retriever, Hoku.
Before a competition run, Kanoe Pelfrey chooses music to match her mood and tries to let everything else fall away. That sense of intention carries into other parts of her life: her commitment to modelling and acting, her love of travel and her approach to personal style. She is drawn to expressive colour, sharply tailored tuxedos and Old Hollywood elegance. In people, she values the kindness that remains visible even when life becomes difficult.
What goes through your mind just before a competition run, and what makes that feeling unique?
I try to tune everything out and enter a flow state. I love feeling completely focused and present in the moment.
I always play whatever music feels right that day, ranging from EDM and British rap to J Boog. Riding the halfpipe gives me a rush and a sense of excitement that I find difficult to compare to anything else.
Away from the spotlight, who is Kanoe Pelfrey? How would your closest friends and family describe you?
They would describe me as someone who loves travelling and seeing the world, who is kind and smiles a lot. They would probably say I’m very determined and completely obsessed with my golden retriever, Hoku.
You’ll usually find me at the beach or on the slopes. Above all, I think they would describe me as passionate about my work, modelling and acting.
Which beauty rituals and wellness practices help you recharge alongside such an active lifestyle?
I enjoy hydrating face masks and love K-beauty products. Armani’s skin tints, foundations and creams are among my favourites. Makeup artists often use Nars and Dior on me, so I’ve also become drawn to their products.
I love vanilla-scented lotion for my legs, feet and hands, and I use foot masks for extra hydration.
Meditation helps me restore a sense of balance. I also enjoy bathing in natural pools among the lava rocks at the beach. Being in water feels calming and restorative to me; I come away refreshed.
How has your personal definition of beauty evolved?
I increasingly recognise beauty in people who help others even when they are going through difficulties themselves. I want to surround myself with people who genuinely wish the best for others.
For me, beauty is connected to dignity and the way someone treats people. Responding respectfully to someone who hasn’t been kind to you shows real sophistication. Patience, consideration and small acts of kindness say a great deal about a person.
What excites you about fashion today, and which styles do you particularly love?
I’m excited by people using fashion to express themselves and tell stories through their clothes. They are choosing pieces that reflect someone they feel proud to be, rather than trying to look like everyone else. That rebellious energy inspires me. Designers are also offering more variety, giving people greater freedom to create their ideal look.
The expressive colour combinations at Copenhagen Fashion Week inspire me every year. I love summer colours and pieces that capture a sun-kissed mood. V-neck, backless, off-the-shoulder and body-conscious dresses paired with thigh-high boots are among my go-to looks.
I also love carefully constructed silhouettes that flatter the body. I’m interested in how tailoring creates an illusion, such as making the legs appear longer. A sharply tailored tuxedo with a handbag is another favourite. To me, that look expresses power.
If you could collaborate with any fashion house, which would you choose and what would you create?
It would be a tie between Chanel and Fendi. With Chanel, I would love to create an elegant, flowing evening dress that captures the spirit of Old Hollywood.
With Fendi, I would choose a lovely summer look for exploring the streets of Rome, complete with a Mon Tresor Mini bucket bag.
What personal dream have you yet to fulfil that has nothing to do with your career?
I would love to open a dog café where I could bring my own dog. Hoku loves socialising with other dogs.
I imagine a place serving pup cups and treats, where dogs could spend time together and some could find new homes through adoption.
V glavni vlogi: Kanoe Pelfrey @kanoepelfrey Fotografije: Renee Dunn, Adriana Bugarin @adrianabu, Chino Mendoza in Florine Ghilbert Stajling: Renee Dunn Ličenje in pričeska: Lavelda Schuyler Vodenje projekta: Olga Ivanova @olgaivvanovva
