Publisher and Editor in Chief, Mae Wayne

You’d be surprised how often I’m asked how I choose the cover models for SHE. I like working with a reputable agency. The really good ones know what their clients want and keep them abreast of the latest hot models. I also like working with experienced models that know what’s expected of them and how best to deliver. A rank amateur would have to be pretty special to attract my attention. No publisher wants a model that thinks the photo studio is a modeling class.

Of course I have my personal preferences, don’t we all?: great bone structure, dark, flawless skin of course, huge eyes and fun to be around. Oh, and I have absolutely no patience with models who have no respect for punctuality.

But then again, nothing I’ve said so far should leave the impression that we never use amateur models. We do. But they usually are girls I’ve come to know; girls I have worked with on occasion, whether for client projects, or SHE editorials, or for our other magazine Tropical Traveller.

As for the trio currently on our cover, they are the daughters of my best friend who passed away the day after Christmas. I now consider Anneliese, Christiane, and Danielle my adopted daughters. When I envisioned this cover, I knew exactly how I wanted to present them. Although they are far from pros, they projected a certain magic that I wanted to capture for SHE readers. It seemed to me they represented the collective ambitions of our young readers. Besides, theirs is a story that I know will inspire readers their own age—to say nothing of parent readers!

My hubby photographer Rick shooting the girls

You could also say this cover was a love project. It celebrates my friend Karen and her daughters and by extension mothers everywhere.

A mother’s work is often under-appreciated. But it is a mother’s love, a mother’s values and her various other contributions to building strong families that ultimately shape us into productive human beings—the key to a better world!

5 things I’m loving this season

My Tory Burch canvas tote: love it. It’s just the perfect size, with two side pockets for easy access to my iPhone and keys. It’s also a great combo of handbag and briefcase, with two good-size pockets on the inside for wallet and makeup. My iPad is a great fit.   It’s so chic, yet casual. Check out toryburch.com

My MAC new sheen supreme lip gloss. OMG! It goes on like silk and stays on forever. I just love the new brush pump giving the right amount to add on. I think I have almost every colour. My favourites so far are imperial red, so sexy; fuji pink, so young and sweet, and the jasmine honey—so subtle and demure. Go to Mac.com or your local MAC shop.

My new Claudia Pegus black skirt:  it rocks, with sexy studs down the side. So cool, I feel so hot when I wear it, whether to work or on evening outings. It’s a great skirt, if you’re going from work to dinner. Fits like a glove. It even can double up as a top. See it on Christiane, page 36.
Go to claudiapegus.com

My iPad fitness app. It’s so absolutely amazing. Now I can control every morsel, every sip of Proseco (my new favourite drink!) without losing count of my daily calorie consumption. Go to your app store.

My pure vanilla perfume, from Lavanila Laboratories. Such a healthy fragrance. I just spray it all over. It’s fresh, light and the scent lasts forever. The vanilla grapefruit is also to die for.
Go to spehero.com to purchase.