The life of a top model is not all photo shoots and runway shows. In her new memoir, No Filter, Paulina Porizkova reflects not only on her career, which began when she was scouted by John Casablancas at the age of 13, but also on her tabloid-chronicled personal life. In the book, she shares her key components to the good life. —Ashley Baker
Airline: One that flies on time, doesn’t charge me for a check-in bag, lets me select a seat, doesn’t lose my bag or punches me in the face or kills my pet. Does it exist?
Airport: Shark Bay, Australia. It’s four poles supporting a tin roof with a little sign saying, “Shark Bay International Airport.”
App: Available parking spaces on the streets of New York. It should exist!
BIRTHDAY: One in which all my loved ones gather and take on all responsibilities for the fun.
Boyfriend: Emotionally available, courageous, empathetic, creative, intellectually curious, funny, successful, confident, sexually compatible, and single. Got a lead?
Cocktail: A very, very dirty martini with gin.
Date: One in which my date actually asks me a few questions and listens to the answers.
DISGUISE: Not needed when you’re a middle-aged woman. You’re already invisible.
Dress: Stretchy, black, formfitting, non-wrinkle.
FOOD:
An egg. There is nothing you can’t do with it.
Mascara: Liquid Lash Extensions by Thrive. Doesn’t budge even if you cry, but comes off with warm water.
Nonfiction book: One that reads like fiction.
Novel: Reads like nonfiction.
PET: A hot-water bottle filled with love like my dog, Ludwig.
PIECE OF ADVICE: One which has been asked for.
Restaurant: One with good food and even better light.
SHOES: My Birkenstocks, the Yao Birko-Flor style, which I own in four different colors, and [some of which] are no longer available. Not to be worn with the aforementioned little stretchy black dress.
Spouse: One you’re not married to.
Second spouse: Nothing like the first one.
TIME OF DAY: Twilight. It’s called “magic hour” for a reason.
Vacation: One of shared experiences, whether they are joys or miseries.
Paulina’s Essentials
