FASHION Irina Shayk’s

Pastel-green triangle bra , £45; briefs , £20, Intimissimi; visit intimissimi.com

Born in a small town in Soviet Russia, 34-year-old international model and mum of one Irina Shayk has had quite the journey. Her coal-miner father died from pneumonia when she was just 14, and she credits her strong personality and work ethic to being raised largely in an all-female household (she has an older sister).

Her breakthrough came in 2011 when she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine. She has since walked for houses including Miu Miu, Burberry and Givenchy, and in 2016 made her catwalk debut for Victoria’s Secret while pregnant with her then partner Bradley Cooper’s baby. She is now a single mother to their daughter Lea, who turns three next month.

Her latest venture sees her front the sustainable Green Collection for Italian label Intimissimi. hello! caught up with Irina to find out more…

Do you pay attention to your shopping from an ecological point of view? “I give priority to recycled products and I am very happy that, today, there is a wide choice of such products in every sphere of life.”

What should we be teaching our children for the future of our planet? “We all need to learn how to organise our lives so that ecology remains in balance. We need to take care of our environment and live in harmony with the nature around us.”

Which three adjectives best describe you? “Natural, down-to-earth, persistent.”

Irina, Intimissimi celebrates ten years of its recycling project, where customers get a £10 voucher when donating five items of unwanted clothing. What do you think about the evolution of the brand in terms of sustainability? “We all need to think about the future of our planet, otherwise we will have no tomorrow. Sustainability is vitally important for every human being. Intimissimi is a brand for which this notion is not just a word: after serious research, they came up with the Green Collection, a special line of lingerie, pyjamas and knitwear made from sustainable materials with low environmental impact.”

What do you think about the two sets you wore to launch the collection? “I was amazed to see how great this collection is. The fabrics feel soft and very comfortable. What I really love is knowing that every single piece of this collection is made with special care for the resources of our planet.”

And the collection’s colours and shapes? “I love the variety of colours, and the shapes are very modern – they are sensual and classy. These shapes are the brand’s signature mark.”

Do you have a favourite piece? “Definitely the pastel-green triangle bra. It’s soft and gives you a very natural feeling.”

What do you think the link is between fashion and sustainability? “Fashion today finds inspiration in unexpected forms and materials. I’m very pleased to see that recycled materials are being used more, and that many brands have stopped using natural fur and leather.”

What is your relationship with eco fashion? “I am a big fan. I love eco leather and environment-friendly materials.”

How do you approach sustainability in your everyday life? “I think every person should start in their own home. For example, I’m not buying plastic bottles – I’m trying to use boxed water. I am also doing my best not to use plastic bags. It all starts from small things that combine together into something big and important.” Sophia bra , £45; Sophia suspender belt, £38; Sophia Brazilian briefs , £20 Irina poses (above) with Sarah Jessica Parker and Chiara Ferragni at Intimissimi’s White Cabaret La Première show in October and (above left) models a Jean Paul Gaultier creation at the women’s spring/summer 2020 haute couture show in Paris