Clementine McVeigh is one glamorous mummy. The model, mother and wife of Sydney Swans star Jarrad McVeigh is also one of the strongest women you’ll ever encounter...
In 2012, McVeigh sadly lost her first daughter Luella after less than a month following heart complications. Her journey has touched so many peoples’ lives. I don’t know McVeigh personally but she’s touched mine and reading about her experience has brought me to tears on more than one occasion. She’s reminded me to be grateful for what I have and not take anything for granted. Her outlook on life and motherhood is uplifting and moving. “Motherhood has taught me the true meaning of gratitude. Being a mother is the most beautiful gift in the world and when Lolita came I knew just how blessed I was to have a healthy beautiful baby. Motherhood has taught me that there is nothing more important in life than family, friends, and happiness,” says McVeigh. We had the pleasure of interviewing the brunette beauty to find out more about her childhood in Vietnam, career as a model, and the new Jasmine & Will autumn/winter 2016 campaign, which she stars in with her gorgeous curly haired daughter Lolita…
McVeigh stars in the new Jasmine & Will autumn/winter 2016 campaign
Motherhood has been absolutely incredible…
It has taught me many things; the first thing was unconditional love. When my first daughter Luella was born it was the most incredible moment of my life to hold a little human that I made and is a part of you and your husband – words just cannot describe. When we lost her my whole world changed, all I wanted to be was a mother and that was taken away from me. From that experience I realized just how blessed I was to be sent a beautiful little angel and to be picked as her mamma. It made me understand to true meaning of being a mother – that you would do absolutely anything in the world for your child, you become very selfless. I don’t worry about the small things anymore… being a mother defiantly puts things into perspective. I truly love life so much more now that I am a mother.
I have had an amazing life…
I have done everything I wanted to do and have travelled the world, so my only advice would be enjoy everyday and be grateful for everything.
To me, my mother is the most incredible woman I have ever met…
She has defiantly made me who I am today. Growing up I had so many different experiences, but the biggest part was Vietnam. I spent a lot of my childhood living in Hanoi and I remember walking through all the amazing food and flower markets and streets and the colour of the fruit and vegetables. Mum and I would pick and put them into our baskets and go home and cook. I grew up with lots of amazing food and my mum always cooked for everyone. We always had big extravagant dinner parties. I loved watching her put all the food together on the table – to me it looked like art. She never did things in halves; she is very over the top in an artistic way. Still to this day I dream about my Hanoi life and my days with her.
I started modelling at 16 in my hometown of New Zealand and at the same age I travelled to Milan…
That’s where it all started really. I travelled the world working for many years, and Sydney ended up being my base. 17 years later and I still love my job. I feel blessed that I have had so many amazing opportunities to experience, seen so many countries and live a very exciting life. In saying that it wasn’t all easy. Modeling is not just about a pretty photo – it takes dedication and hard work. Travelling on your own and getting knocked back job after job can take its toll. Modelling and traveling on my own has definitely made me a very strong person, and has taught me not to take negative comments to heart, as sometimes you’re just not the look a client is looking for and the next one will be. I’m so grateful that I’m still working… I guess I will do it till my time is up!
I'm lucky with my work that I can pick and choose the jobs I love doing…
I think it’s very important to love what you do, as you take your energy home with you at the end of day. Now that I’m a mother I know what kind of work will stress me out or make me happy. My agency are absolutely incredible, they totally get it and never push jobs. I’m not into. They understand that Lolita is my main priority and always work in with that. I also think it is important to not take on too much, knowing it will stress me out with trying to juggle work life and mum life. I love my job, I love still having my identity and yet can still be a mum. I think it is important for all mothers to be able to have their own thing going on in addition to being a mother/wife.
The most challenging part of motherhood for me personally has been not having my mum around or to help when needed…
My family is all over the world – my mum and sister live in New Zealand, my dad in Vietnam and my brother in Germany. So I have found it really tough over the years not having that support from my family especially my mum. I’m sure most mothers can relate, we need our mums! Motherhood is a 24-hour job and to not have that support when you need it can be really hard.
My summer look is all about…
Floaty summer dresses, my favorite Chloe boots or Balenciaga sandals, sunglasses and lippy and plenty of face sunblock.
Jasmine & Will was such a beautiful shoot…
It was special to do it with my baby girl. I absolutely love their range, it’s perfect for everyone!
I'm a Virgo so every thing is planned and has to be perfect…
My friends say I have OCD, so I don’t really procrastinate I just do it. Sometimes I drive myself crazy as everything has to be organised.
Happiness and health is all that really matters to me…
If I have that then I have everything.
Clementine’s little list of loves:
Red wine Chocolate Coffee Bondi soft sand runs My work My beautiful husband Lolly’s cheeky smile!
[…] motherhood – its joy, beauty, struggle and sorrow – I stumbled across gave me comfort, hope and much-needed perspective. It was so reassuring to find stories of amazing women who had faced similar feelings and to know […]