VIP’s resident parenting guru opens
up about the important role her
mother plays in her life. “She has
been my guiding hand. I don’t know
what I would have done without her.
She encouraged me to go back to
work and get help...all without any
judgement.” (This page) She wears
a silk shirt by Helmut Lang, white
capri jeans by Seven For All Mankind
at BT2 and a beaded bracelet from
Coast. (Left) Alison wears a coral
dress by Issa from Brown Thomas
and a cuff from River Island.
model mum alison canavan
“I want to help
other women.”
A
lison Canavan is a supermodel,
supermum and nothing short of
inspirational. As VIP’s resident
parenting guru, she has candidly shared
the ups and downs of life as a hardworking single mother to her adorable 18-monthold son, James.
When you meet Alison, you are greeted with
a larger than life character and can’t help but
be drawn into her charismatic presence; her
willingness to help others by sharing her own
experiences with postnatal depression – and the
refreshing fact that no topic is off-limits!
Here, she opens up on everything from her
struggle to achieve work/life balance, her
determination to debunk the postnatal depression
taboo, an international modelling career, and last,
but not least, her new national parenting roadshow,
‘Alison Canavan’s ‘0 to Toddler’, which will be
touring the country this autumn. We need a coffee
36 www.vipmagazine.ie
break just thinking about it. Welcome to the very
busy life of Alison Canavan!
Alison, you last posed for VIP in 2010 when
James was just one month old. At the time,
you said: “Everyone prepares you for the
birth, but no one prepares you for the
baby”. Does that still resonate with you?
I still agree with that. I’m a great believer in
honesty. If we are honest about how a new parent
is actually feeling – how overwhelming it is, the
nervousness, etc. – you realise it’s completely
normal.
You were living in New York working as
a model when you became pregnant with
James. Why did you decide to move back to
Ireland to raise him?
I wanted to be closer to my family. My mum
is my rock...I don’t know what I would have
www.vipmagazine.ie 37
The stunning model
reveals that motherhood
has transformed her
life. “I’ve learned
more in the last 17
months than I have in
a lifetime.”(This page)
Alison wears a red floor
length gown by Issa
from Brown Thomas
and accessories by Paul
Costelloe Jewellery.
(Right) She wears a coral
print dress from Oasis.
done without her. She has been my guiding hand –
encouraging me to go out to work and to go for help
when I wasn’t well, all without any judgement.
You’ve been very vocal concerning your
experience of postnatal depression. Was it a
conscious decision to be so open?
I’m vocal because I ended up in a situation that I never
thought I would be in and I want to be able to help other
women.
How did your depression manifest itself ?
I didn’t know what was wrong with me for ages. You are
bursting out crying for no reason and feeling really down.
You have the feeling you can’t cope if the baby is crying,
and then you feel guilty because this is someone you
should love.
Did you recognise those feelings as being
depressed?
I never had depression before and I had no idea what was
happening to me. I was withdrawing. I wasn’t interested in
things I would usually be interested in. I didn’t want to say
anything because I didn’t really know what was going on,
and I was embarrassed.
Do you have strong support from your family?
Because I was a single mum, I was determined to show
the world I could do it....and I couldn’t. I needed help.
I’ve had wonderful support from my mum and my cousin
Rita, who drove up every day from Longford to help. I
formed a bond with her that I never thought possible.
Is looking after your mental health a daily
priority?
If I feel myself sinking into a dark place, firstly, I look
at my diet. I’ll cut out sugars and start exercising again.
Meditation is a big part of my recovery and I’m still in
counselling. I’m not ashamed to share any of that. I am
thrilled that I’m off medication but with that comes a lot
of hard work.
What life lessons have you learned?
I’ve learned more in the last 17 months than I have
learned in a lifetime – particularly about human values
and the importance of being kind to each other.
Is there one piece of advice you would give to
mums in a similar situation?
Trust your instincts. Mum knows best. Listen to the
experts, but your instincts will be stronger than anything
else.
“James would be
at the forefront of
my mind before
starting a new
relationship.”
How have your experiences shaped your
perception of motherhood?
I have huge admiration for my own mum and other
mums in the country. That’s why I’m doing the work that
I do now.
Yes! In addition to being a VIP columnist and
model, you have now taken on a new venture,
the ‘Alison Canavan’s 0 to Toddler’ parenting
roadshow. What is the idea behind it?
The concept behind it is education. We’ll be looking at
areas of nutrition, fitness, mental health and how they
work together. Some of the experts we have on board
include Ireland’s only ‘gentle sleep coach’ Lucy Wolfe,
Claire Boyle for breastfeeding, and clinical psychotherapist
Joanna Fortune from Solamh, the Parent and Child
Relationship Clinic...to name but a few! We will be
touring Ireland this autumn.
Is education important to you?
Absolutely! I’m currently doing a night course in business
and marketing. I will be returning in September to study
childcare as well. I’m a big nerd at heart!
With such a busy schedule, do you have the time,
or the inclination, to consider romance?!
James would be at the forefront of my mind before I ever
considered a new relationship. I’d love to meet someone,
but they would have to be really special, and someone
who loves James as well as me. Right now, I don’t think I
38 www.vipmagazine.ie
Relocation
To Lower Ground Floor of Pamela Scott,
84 Grafton Street
Jessica Simpson l Goat l Cathy Hilton l Essential Antwerp
Black Halo l Jaeger l Marc Cain l Escada
www.richardalan.ie
As a busy working mother,
Alison opens up about
finding the work/life balance.
“I think the most important
thing is making the time
you have with your children
precious. I enjoy every second
I have with James.” Alison
wears a metallic top by Zadig
& Voltaire at Brown Thomas,
a white blazer from River
Island and jeans by Seven
For All Mankind at BT2.
(Right) Alison wears a floral
print dress by Red Valentino,
a cream trench coat by
Michael Kors and black
padded Hunter wellies from
Fitzpatricks Shoes.
could give 100% of myself to a relationship.
Would you be nervous about introducing a new
man into James’ life?
That will always be very nerve-wracking, but I have to trust
that if it’s right, then it’s not going to be a problem.
You have been such a successful model and now,
as a parenting advocate. What is your secret?
I love what I’m doing and I never thought I’d be an in an
industry I truly adore...being passionate is my secret!
Is there a struggle to maintain the work/life
balance?
The work/life balance for parents can be something of a
guilt game. I think the most important thing is making the
time you have with your children precious. I enjoy every
second I have with James.
Having spent the majority of your life modelling,
do you have any plans on slowing down?
No way, I love my job! I’m with a new agency in Germany
called Clear Model Management, and I’m hoping to work
with my agency in London, M&P Models’ new tv division.
I feel James is old enough to leave him for a few days to work.
Has there been a career highlight for you?
Thankfully, there have been many! I travelled the world for
17 years as a model, graced magazine covers and billboards,
and I met some truly amazing people along the way.
Finally, what’s next for Alison Canavan?
There are lots of exciting things going on – some tv
projects, my writing and I’m still modelling with Morgan
the Agency in Dublin. Let’s just say...watch this space!
Interview: Caitlin McBride
Photography: Naomi Gaffey
Styling: Alison McGilligan
Makeup: Naomh Kirwan for Morgan The Agency
Hair: Kevin McGarry for Wilde About Hair, Donnybrook,
Dublin 4; www.wildeabouthair.ie
Special thanks to Emily Bunbury. Shot on location at
Lisnavagh House, Rathvilly, Co. Carlow. Tel: (059) 916 1473;
For details of wedding days at Lisnavagh or their heavenly
Yoga Sleep Retreats see www.lisnavagh.com.
40 www.vipmagazine.ie