Kathy Ireland
| Kathy Ireland | |
|---|---|
 Ireland at the World Jewelry Center, 2008. |
|
| Born | Kathleen Marie Ireland March 20, 1963 Glendale, California, United States |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Hair color | Auburn |
| Eye color | Blue |
| Spouse | Greg Olsen (m.1988-present; 3 children) |
| Website | |
| www.kathyireland.com | |
Kathleen Marie "Kathy" Ireland (born March 20, 1963) is a former American model, actress, and entrepreneur. She is the CEO of her design and marketing eponymous brand product marketing company, kathy ireland Worldwide ("kiWW"), headquartered in Rancho Mirage, California. Many sources inaccurately portray the company as a retailing business; however, according to forbes.com the firm is a design and marketing company, which also acquires real estate for wedding and design studio purposes. As such, the core business of kiWW is licensing and real estate.
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[edit] Life and career
Kathy Ireland was born in 1963 in Glendale, California, the daughter of John Ireland, a labor union organizer, and Barbara Ireland, who worked in charity.[1] At age 17, Ireland was "discovered" by an agent for the Elite Model Management company, and by the time she graduated from San Marcos High School (Santa Barbara, California) in 1981, she was working steadily as a model.[2]
[edit] Sports Illustrated
Starting in 1984, Ireland was featured in the annual Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue for 13 consecutive years, with her final appearance in 1996.[3] In addition to her long tenure within the pages, Ireland appeared on the cover of the annual issue three times, a feat tied by Christie Brinkley and Cheryl Tiegs and surpassed only by Elle Macpherson (with five appearances). Ireland was the cover model for the first time on the 25th Anniversary Swimsuit Edition, which became SI's best selling swimsuit issue to date.[4][5] She returned to the cover in 1992 and in 1994. In her third appearance, she was accompanied by Rachel Hunter and Elle Macpherson; notably, both Hunter and Ireland were pregnant at the time.[5]
[edit] Acting
Ireland has appeared in a number of television and movie roles. Her first movie, 1988's Alien from L.A., was later skewered during the fifth season of Mystery Science Theater 3000.[6] Ireland's other appearances include Melrose Place, Boy Meets World, The Larry Sanders Show, Muppets Tonight, Side Out, Mr. Destiny, Necessary Roughness, Mom and Dad Save the World, National Lampoon's Loaded Weapon 1 (alongside William Shatner), Once Upon A Christmas, and its sequel Twice Upon A Christmas (her final film to date). She also appeared in the ninth season of Dancing with the Stars, however, hers was the third couple eliminated in the second week of competition.
[edit] Entrepreneur
In 1993, Ireland put her name on a line of socks. After they proved a best-seller for Kmart, the retailer gave Ireland her own clothing line.[7] She then founded kiWW, initially a brand product marketing firm in which she and her related trusts own in its entirety.[8] In 2004, Ireland's annual take was thought to be around $10 million, which prompted Forbes to name her the "prototype for model-turned-mogul," in an article about the trend of modelpreneurs.[9]
[edit] Business
Since 1994, Kathy Ireland has published several fitness videos that led to her design of athletic apparel and was an entree into her brand licensing of fitness equipment as well.
By 2004, Kathy Ireland Worldwide was marketing products from 16 manufacturers, including those of Shaw Industries and Pacific Coast Lighting.[7][10] By 2005, kathy ireland Worldwide products were sold at over 50,000 locations in 15 countries, generating an estimated $1.4 billion in retail sales.[10] According to a February 27, 2012 issue of Forbes magazine, featuring Kathy Ireland on the cover, her product line (furniture, lighting, flooring, windows, jewelry, bridal gowns, etc.) now sells some $2 Billion annually at retail.[11] License Global Magazine named kathy ireland Worldwide, the 28th most powerfully licensed brand.[12] According to Fairchild Publications, Kathy Ireland is one of the 50 most influential people in fashion.[13]
[edit] Books
Ireland has written six books, including three for children.
Her debut effort (with Laura Morton), Powerful Inspirations: Eight Lessons that Will Change Your Life, was first published by Doubleday in June 2002. It is laced with discussions of her faith in God and the reasons for her strong pro-life stance.[14]
Her children's books, Mona's Favorite Words, What Do Mommies Do? and An Angel Called Hope, were released by Publications International Ltd. in November 2005 as part of their Story Reader series.[15]
Ireland's Real Solutions for Busy Moms: Your Guide to Success and Sanity was published by Howard Books in April 2009. It was released in both English and Spanish. According to the jacket, in her book Ireland shares "stories from her own life and wisdom she has gained through her years from teenager with a paper route to successful supermodel to mom to entrepreneur."
Her sixth book, Real Solutions: 52 God Inspired Messages from My Heart was also published by Howard Books and released on November 24, 2009. This book says it "shares inspirational messages from one busy mom to another."[16]
[edit] Personal life
Kathy Ireland became an evangelical Christian at the age of 18, when she read the Bible out of curiosity.[17] She has said that she switched her previously pro-choice stance on abortion to pro-life after researching her husband Dr. Greg Olsen's medical books.[17]
Ireland gave a speech at the fourth Youth Assembly at the United Nations Headquarters on August 13, 2007. The purpose was to encourage activities among young people towards ending poverty. Ireland spoke on a subject of social entrepreneurship and partnerships.[18]
In May 2009, Ireland and her family were evacuated from two homes endangered by the Jesusita Fire near Santa Barbara, California: one belonging to Ireland's parents, and the other being the home where Ireland, her husband and their three children reside.[19]
Ireland appeared on Larry King Live in 2009 to discuss her weight gain and women's health. She had gained a pound a year for 25 years and the cumulative effect had become obvious to her in a candid photograph her son had taken.[20]
In March of 2012, Ireland was a key speaker for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference, with such luminaries as President Shimon Peres and President Barack Obama – to show her support of Israel. [21]
Ireland has a sister, Cynthia, who has a child with Down syndrome. Ireland has become vocal in her support for the Down sydrome community, writing an article about her niece and the need for an increase in research.[22][23]
[edit] Philanthropy
Ireland and her company remain actively involved with non-profits, including: the YWCA, the Dream Foundation, the Alliance for Christian Education, 911 for Kids/AEFK, the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation and the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She is widely honored for her efforts.[24]
[edit] PETA
In 2012 kiWW drew criticism from animal rights activists after producing a line of fur clothing for Macy's Fur Vault[25]. She stipulated she would "stop designing fur if (PETA) joined the pro life campaign".[26]. A petition urging her to discontinue her use of fur was launched.[27]
[edit] References
- ^ Kathy Ireland Biography (1963-)
- ^ "Kathy Ireland - Profile". E! Online. http://www.eonline.com/celebrities/profile/index.jsp?uuid=67c3c82c-7d5a-4e66-8d20-7cfc12989337. Retrieved 2008-07-30.[dead link]
- ^ "Collosus Collectibles Sports Illustrated Swimsuit". http://www.colossuscollectibles.com/calendars/siswimsuit/index.html. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- ^ "SI Swimsuit Collection - Kathy Ireland". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/swimsuit/collection/issues/ultimate_swimsuit/ult_kireland_01.html. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- ^ a b "Sports Illustrated 50: The Anniversary Book, Rob Fleder, 2005, p.286, ISBN 1-932273-49-2". CNN. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/swimsuit/collection/issues/ultimate_swimsuit/ult_kireland_01.html. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ "Mystery Science Theater 3000". TV.com. November 20, 1993. http://www.tv.com/mystery-science-theater-3000/alien-from-l.a./episode/46964/summary.html. Retrieved 2008-07-31.
- ^ a b Blakeley, Kiri (2004-05-07). "The Model Mogul". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/celebrities/forbes/2004/0705/116.html. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ Boone & Kurtz (2007). Contemporary Business 12th Edition. Thomson South-Western.
- ^ Blakeley, Kiri (2006-12-06). "Models Turned Moguls". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/17/supermodel-entrepreneur-gisele-ent-sales-cx_kb_0717modelpreneurs_slide_11.html?thisSpeed=20000. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ a b Blakeley, Kiri (2006-12-06). "Most Entrepreneurial Supermodels". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/lifestyle/2006/02/02/fashion-supermodels-licensing-cz_kb_0203fashion2_ls.html. Retrieved 2008-08-01.
- ^ Pomerantz, Dorothy. "How Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Kathy Ireland Became a $350 Million Mogul". Forbes. http://www.forbes.com/sites/dorothypomerantz/2012/02/08/how-sports-illustrated-swimsuit-model-kathy-ireland-became-a-350-million-mogul/. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ "About kiWW". http://www.kathyireland.com/aboutkathy.html. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ "About kiWW". http://www.kathyireland.com/aboutkathy.html. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/dp/0385503075 Amazon page for Powerful Inspirations
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BUTA5U Amazon page for Story Reader 3-Pack
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/dp/1416563520 Amazon page for Real Solutions
- ^ a b Blim, Julie (2002-08-20). "Kathy Ireland: Designing Woman". CBN. http://www.cbn.com/700club/features/kathy_ireland-interview.aspx. Retrieved 2009-04-21.
- ^ "End Poverty 2015/Millenium Development Goals". September 11, 2007. http://www.mdg-gateway.org/MDG-Blog/?cat=4&paged=2. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
- ^ Livingston, David (May 08, 2009). "Wildfire Causes Kathy Ireland and Family to Evacuate Homes". ET: Entertainment Online. http://www.etonline.com/news/2009/05/73790/. Retrieved 2009-05-27.[dead link]
- ^ "Former model: Fret over being fit, not how you look - CNN.com". CNN. 2009-05-05. http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/diet.fitness/05/05/lkl.celebrities.weight/index.html. Retrieved 2010-05-07.
- ^ "About kathy ireland Worldwide". http://www.kathyireland.com/aboutkathy.html. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ "Ability Magazine: Kathy Ireland Interview with Chet Cooper and Molly Mackin" (2011)". http://abilitymagazine.com/Kathy-Ireland.html. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ "AOL News: Kathy Ireland: The Tragic Shortfall in Down Syndrome Research" (2010)". http://www.aolnews.com/2010/10/11/kathy-ireland-the-tragic-shortfall-in-down-syndrome-research/. Retrieved 2012-04-03.
- ^ "About kathy ireland Worldwide". http://www.kathyireland.com/aboutkathy.html. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
- ^ "Fur Vault". March 12 2012. http://www.kathyireland.com/furvault.html. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
- ^ "Kathy Ireland". March 12, 2012. http://furfreela.com/kathyireland. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
- ^ "Animals Petition: Kathy Ireland: Please Stop Selling Fur". March 12, 2012. http://www.change.org/petitions/kathy-ireland-please-stop-selling-fur. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
[edit] External links
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