Natural Woman

If you recognized the lovely face gracing our cover this issue – well, we’re not surprised.

Karolina Kurkova is one of the world’s most successful models. Over the past 20 years, she has been

featured on the covers of countless fashion magazines and has represented iconic brands like Versace, Christian Dior, Chanel and Tommy Hilfiger. 

Now, at 35, the Czech-born supermodel and former Victoria’s Secret angel has added entrepreneur to

her impressive resume. Last year, Kurkova partnered with fellow South Florida parents Rachel Finger and Orion Nevel to launch Gryph & IvyRose, a line of natural supplements and bath and body products for children and families.

“Working as a model, I’ve learned the importance of sustaining my health, energy and glowing complexion while working 16-hour days and traveling extensively,” Kurkova says. “Looking and feeling good isn’t just about what I put on my skin; it also involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle.”

Kurkova lives with her husband, Archie Drury, and two sons, Tobin, 9, and Noah, 3, on Miami’s Fisher Island. When she moved to the area seven years ago, she met Nevel, a second-generation herbalist and natural medicine expert based in Miami Beach, while seeking an acupuncturist.

“Growing up in the Czech Republic, I spent a lot of time with my grandparents who had a farm and grew lots of fruits and vegetables,” Kurkova says. “If someone in our family had a sore throat or tummy ache, my grandma would make a natural remedy that had been passed down in our family for generations.”

As a mother, Kurkova sought similar natural means of keeping her sons healthy and happy. She quickly discovered there were few natural health products available for children that could support their immune and digestive systems or promote a good night’s sleep.

Through Nevel, she met Finger of Miami Beach, a mother of three who gave birth to twin daughters five years ago. The girls, who were born prematurely at 28 weeks, weighed 1.5 pounds each. After noticing her daughters were having problems with sleeping, reflux and irritability, Finger consulted Nevel about herbal blends that could help. 

The three parents agreed that the market lacked pure and effective natural health products for children – and they had a collective lightbulb moment. So they decided to form Gryph & IvyRose (whose moniker combines the middle names of three of their kids), which offers pediatrician-, acupuncturist- and parent-approved products, including probiotics, herbal elixirs, shampoo and conditioner, body wash and more.

“My oldest son often uses the Call it a Night herbal elixir that relaxes him and promotes a good night’s sleep, while my 3-year-old son likes our bubble bath and chocolate probiotics,” Kurkova says, admitting she also has a fondness for the heart-shaped chocolate probiotics, which taste delicious and promote gut health.

“Although our products are designed for children, parents can use them, too, and I believe it helps to create a bond between parents and children,” says Kurkova, who says that her boys are fully aware of her self-care practices, such as starting each day with morning meditation. 

She thinks it’s never too early to introduce children to non-toxic, sustainable products. Gryph & IvyRose

is free of parabens, sulfates and other potentially toxic chemicals.

“I’ve always believed in supporting my well-being in natural ways,” Kurkova says. “I practice alternative therapies such as cupping and acupuncture.”

Gryph & IvyRose’s natural approach reflects her own wellness philosophy, she told W magazine: “I’m extremely aware of what goes into my own body, and I’m just naturally more prone to alternative, healthy practices, instead of polluting my body with chemicals or things that will give me other side

effects.”

The brand isn’t Kurkova’s only foray into the business world. She recently partnered with Cybex – a German lifestyle brand of strollers, car seats and baby carriers – to design an innovative and eco-friendly custom collection that includes a reclining car seat, a luxury stroller and an ergonomic baby carrier.

After meeting Cybex CEO Martin Pos and being asked if she would like to create a line with the company, Kurkova felt it offered her the chance to channel her knowledge and experience from the fashion industry, she told Forbes.com.

“As a mother of two, I most certainly had my own thoughts on where I wanted to go with product development. And since I’m passionate about the comfort and safety of my own children, I was inspired to focus on product sustainability and functionality.” 

Despite her business ventures, Kurkova still makes family a priority. This year, she celebrates 10 years of marriage with Drury, a former Marine turned actor and producer. The two met through friends and later connected via Facebook, she told Hamptons magazine.

“There was nothing between us when we met, but later I found his friend on Facebook and saw his name. It’s funny because he didn’t remember me. We started talking and really got to know each other through writing, and the rest is history.” 

After living in New York for 12 years, the couple relocated to Fisher Island, attracted in part by the area’s endless recreational opportunities.

“We wanted Tobin to be able to enjoy a great lifestyle playing outdoors,” Kurkova says. “And we loved the fact that the island has a local school with a chef that makes students fresh meals every day.”

As for the island itself, Kurkova calls it paradise and admits that life there is both an endless vacation and the perfect way to raise two energetic young boys. 

“My husband and I both travel a lot for work, so one of our favorite things to do when we’re home is to spend quality family time together,” she says. “We have water bikes and kayaks, and we spend time outdoors with the boys.”

Kurkova’s sons are still too young to be impressed by their mom’s supermodel status – or the fact that she was one of the youngest models to appear on the cover of Vogue, at 16. Tobin, a soccer goalie, wishes his mom were a better soccer player, she told People.

“He always asks me to shoot the ball at him. I’m not a soccer player, so I don’t kick the ball hard, and he’ll say, ‘Mom, you have to do better!’”

While Tobin might believe his mom has room for improvement, we’re thoroughly impressed at the number of roles she’s juggling and her continued commitment to good health. 

Plus, she does it all with style – and a smile. O