From socialite to businesswoman, the young heiress talks about work, growing up and motherhood.
As a young girl growing up in London, I remember reading articles and watching the young British model, Tamara Ecclestone, in all the glitzy celebrity and society party pages in magazines. Inheriting her mother’s long supermodel pins, she was often (if not always) glamorously dressed for a red carpet event in a skimpy, ultra mini dress and sky-high killer heels. She was the perfect Brit, socialite, pin-up girl.
Being a daughter of Chief Executive of Formula One Group, Bernie Ecclestone, she was raised in the public eye at a very young age; Tamara was no doubt use to the limelight, which only enhanced when she became a presenter at her television debut in 2006 as the host of the Red Bull Air Race World Championship, for Channel 4. By 2011 she even had her own reality TV show, Tamara Ecclestone: Billion $$$ Girl. Eventually the presenter and party girl settled down and married Essex businessman Jay Rutland in 2013. The gorgeous couple later had a daughter, Sophia Ecclestone-Rutland, born a year later in 2014.
When I entered her hotel room at the Four Seasons DIFC, in Dubai, I had preconceptions of the ex-model. However, I was pleasantly surprised by her gentle, sweet, shy nature and softly spoken tone. She was barefoot amongst a sea of plastic toys, because she was travelling with her daughter Sophia. Whilst the two-year-old was napping, we managed to have an interview about her latest beauty brand ‘Show Beauty’ and the pop up blow dry bar that is at the Four Seasons DIFC, until January 12, 2017.
The 32-year-old looked the epitome of a ‘yummy mummy’ wearing a black, simple cut, Calvin Klein dress. It was flattering, understated and chic. She wore the elegant silhouette with tanned bare legs; her hair had perfect bouncy curls at the ends, and volume at the roots – she naturally promoted her pop up blow dry bar well!
What was it like growing up in a household with a father who was a very successful, famous businessman?
To me it never seemed like that. He was always very hands-on; he would drive us to school in the morning, we’d go grocery shopping together as a family and he’s take us horse riding. When he was home he was a very different person. There was one side to him that was the tough businessman, but the other side was a softy dad and a bit of a push over with his two daughters. He was never tough with us. He’d do things that some dads may not enjoy doing, like taking us shopping; he always made time for us.
Did he inspire you to be a businesswoman?
He’s a great inspiration. When my dad gives you his word – that is it; something is done. The way he does business is very old school, but his work ethic is amazing. He is 86 years old now and he is still travelling the world. He obviously doesn’t need to work anymore but it’s amazing to see him with the passion that he has, for what he does.
When you were a little girl what did you want to be?
I was really good at gymnastics. I thought I’d be a gymnast but that didn’t work out. When I was a teenager I knew I wanted to do something with beauty and fashion because my mother was a model and I found fashion and beauty interesting. I think it’s amazing how something like a beauty product can make someone feel so good about themselves. To base a business around making women feel good is a great feeling.
What made you want to start Show Beauty?
I felt in the haircare industry there was nothing that felt glamorous, beautiful, opulent and decadent. I wanted to create haircare products that were not only good for the hair but smelt good too. I also wanted amazing packaging and there was nothing out there that had all these things. It was a fantastic journey from selecting how I wanted things to smell (my favourite part of the creation process) to going on sale in stores and then rolling out worldwide, opening salons in the UK, and now being in Dubai for the pop up shop. Also, juggling motherhood with all of it has been even more exciting. It’s so rewarding and I feel like I am being a good role model for my daughter, by showing her as a woman you can do it all.
How long did it take from building the concept to having the first product?
It took a couple of years. When you want to do something properly sometimes you need to learn to be patient. I may not to be so good at that, but it did pay off in the end. We launched the products in 2013 and the first salon in 2015 in London.
What are your hopes for the business in the next 5 years? Would you want your daughter to take over one day?
I obviously want her to do whatever she wants, but judging how things are going she already wants to wear make-up and have her hair done so maybe it is something she would be interested in. I want it to carry on growing and I want to open more blow dry bars. Things have been going great so I want it to carry on the way it is.
Tell us about your products and your latest launches?
We started with 11 styling products. After, we made shampoos, conditioners and treatment masks. Finally we launched a body oil. My favourite product is the dry shampoo, because I am lazy and I don’t always want to wash my hair. It smells so good and it doesn’t leave grey granny hair. I can’t live without it. It’s my go-to product.
Have you always looked after yourself and have you always been a healthy person?
I am a healthy person and I am also an active busy person. I think it is important to look after yourself because if you feel good then you tend to look good. However, everyone has a day when they are not healthy, and I think it’s very important to have those days. Balance is important. Life is far too short to never do fun stuff, but I feel better when I am healthy. I also think that it is important to set a good example for my daughter. She eats so well: she loves quinoa, peas and chicken breast. I never have to order the kids menu for her.
Tips to keep in shape?
I don’t go to the gym because I don’t have time, but walking is great exercise. People can find time to walk. I use to really enjoy pilates. When my daughter is older I want to do that more; that was great. With food, from Monday to Friday I tend to be healthy. At the weekend I let my hair down a bit more and order pizza. I love pizza and pasta.
What does beauty mean to you?
How I feel about beauty has changed since I’ve had my daughter. I use to wear a lot more make-up. I think it came from a place of insecurity but I feel I have really embraced everything about me now, which is such a good place to be in. I am confident not to wear make-up anymore and it is nice to feel good about yourself when you don’t. Today with Instagram, there is a certain type of make-up look that is conceived as being beautiful, but for me that is not being naturally beautiful. I believe being a nice person really counts for a lot. Once you get to know someone that really shines through. Looks and Instagram filters fade, but being happy and content in the inside can really show. Motherhood has also made me more confident. Everything is now about her. I don’t worry about myself as much and things don’t bother me that use to before. Of course I am tired and I have eye bags, but I feel good. When you see kids, they are so beautiful and I think it’s because they are so innocent and happy.
What is your beauty routine and what are your must-have products?
I am low maintenance; I wash my face and moisturise. I use Dermalogica and I like coco butter. Everyday I use Revitalash, and I recently started using an eye cream too.
Do you have any role models?
My mother is very inspirational. She had a successful career as a model and she gave it up to be a full-time mum. She’s not had any botox and she is almost 60 years old. She looks incredible! She’s so glamorous. I use to look up to her growing up and I still do now.
Balancing motherhood and business, is it easy?
No, but it is manageable. You can do anything you put your mind to. You have to prepare to be tired but it is so rewarding and worth it.
Is motherhood what you expected?
No, I never thought I’d be so hands on. I never leave her and she comes everywhere with me. It’s changed me more than I expected. It’s better than I thought it would be. It’s amazing!
What is your greatest lesson in life?
It is important to trust your gut instinct and not second guess that. They’ve been times I thought I wish I went for what I felt, but people have talked me out of it, or I have talked myself out of it. Trust yourself; I do that now.
Greatest advice you would give your daughter?
That is hard! My parents always allowed me to make mistakes. I feel that is the only way you can really learn from life. It must be so painful, as a parent, to watch that. I think it is impossible to learn from other people’s mistakes. My dad says, “smart people learn from others’ mistakes,” but I don’t think that is possible. To be a good parent you have to give a certain amount of freedom, but be there to pick up the pieces. Hopefully not too many pieces to pick up though!
By Hershey Pascual
