Black washed-satin dress by Lanvin (price on request). Visit lanvin.com. Peep-toe double-platform pumps by Christian Louboutin ($960). Visit christianlouboutin.fr.

Macpherson wears many hats: the business exec, the spokeswoman, the philanthropist. But you just might catch her as the skier in Aspen, making daylong laps on Ajax Mountain. She downplays her ability on the powder, although her ski mentors quickly beg to differ. Her enviable physique stands her in good stead on the slopes as elsewhere, but then that’s to be expected. Nicknamed “the Body” in the eighties, she has graced a record number of Sports Illustrated swimsuit editions.

We caught up with Macpherson prior to her daily school pickup in London, where she currently resides, and found her direct, witty, and above all, smart. Before her modeling career catapulted her into the stratosphere, this down-to-earth Aussie had plans for law school. (How’s that for brains and beauty?) Between her lingerie collection, a new bath and body line, and a three-year deal with Revlon, this 44-year-old businesswoman clearly has lots in store.

ASPEN PEAK: You have a fairly long history with Aspen. When did it all start?
ELLE MACPHERSON: I was 17, had just finished school, and my dad gave me the most beautiful gift, which was a trip to the United States with our family. We went to Disneyland [and spent] a week in Aspen and a week in Vail. When I decided to go to law school, my father wanted to celebrate with this family trip. I had been modeling in Australia and was invited to New York. After two weeks skiing [and] a week in California, I had three weeks in New York modeling. The week in Aspen when I had barely skied before was just extraordinary.

AP: And obviously that trip to New York became much more.
EM: I was supposed to be in New York modeling for just a few weeks but I ended up staying. I missed my first semester of law and thought I’d do modeling for one more year. I was meeting new people, traveling extensively, and studying French. It was wonderful living a different lifestyle. That one year turned into 25 years.

AP: So skiing took a backseat for a while?
EM: I started skiing again about six or seven years ago. I had come to Aspen in the eighties but only started skiing regularly—at least once a year—recently.

AP: How would you describe a perfect day on the mountain? I hear you’ve had some epic ski days on the backside of Ajax on one of Aspen’s powder tours.
EM: Skiing with Tim Mooney and Jimmy Hancock is such a treat. I’m not particularly an Aspenite in the social sense. People who’ve seen me skiing in Aspen don’t normally see me in the evenings. I do first tracks at 8 A.M., ski until 4 P.M.— without stopping. Then I go have some sushi and go to bed. I’m not a great skier, but I’m an enthusiastic skier.

AP:We have three amazing sushi restaurants here. What’s your favorite?
EM: I love Matsuhisa. Nobu’s spot.

AP: I’m sure you have some fond memories of this town.
EM: It’s all so wonderful. The people are so warm. They remember me year after year. There’s a tradition of going to Aspen which I really love.

AP: We have lots of Aussies that visit and live here. Why do you think Aussies are drawn to our little mountain town?
EM: You’ll find Australians in all extraordinary surfing and skiing locations. If you’re interested in the art scene, you’ll also find Australians. A friend of mine in London is a tour guide and he told me Australians are enthusiastic tourists because when they travel they never know if they’ll have the opportunity to visit again, so they totally get into where they are. We have a nose for sussing out the best of everything.

AP: Sounds like an excellent leisure strategy. When it comes to work, you’re heading up your brand, Elle Macpherson Intimates. You launched it in 1990, and pioneered the concept of a model with her own label. Today you’re at the helm of a global lifestyle brand. How hands-on are you?
EM: I am more hands-on than 20 years ago. It’s a combination of experience, confidence, interest, and time. It’s easy to put energy into a business that’s doing very well. When we first started, I was the face of the brand and worked very closely with the designers. Today I’m the creative director. I spend a lot of time working on the behind-thescenes aspect of the business. It’s a business I cherish, respect, and really enjoy.

AP: Why intimate wear?
EM: I believe women today are finding that sex appeal and sensuality comes from confidence and from being comfortable in one’s skin. Wearing comfortable lingerie that is beautiful can change the shape of the body. Feeling confident, comfortable, feminine, sensual, feeling nurtured and honored—women are choosing to explore all these elements today.

AP: What characterizes this season’s collection?
EM: When I first started designing in 1989, Calvin Klein was my number one inspiration. The lingerie we designed back then was 100 percent Australian cotton and was sporty, simple, beautiful. I’ve been inspired by French lingerie. Today we have the capacity to work with factories that manufacture better lace products, and I can focus on a more European feel and a more colorful, fashion-inspired design.
At the same time, it’s very comfortable and very affordable. That’s what sets us apart. This collection is beautiful and no different than any previous collections, in that those are the principles behind it.

AP: You’ve recently expanded your global bath and body line, Elle Macpherson the Body. What’s the concept behind that?
EM: There’s nothing better to go with lingerie than great skin. My concept is “choose how you feel.” I ask women to use their intuition in choosing the kind of products they want. The everyday essential is called Bare. If I’m going out and I want skin enhancers, I would choose Glow. Or, if I want to soak in a bath, I would choose something from the Self collection.

AP: You also have an exciting new venture, recently signing a three-year deal as Revlon’s ambassador and spokeswoman.
EM: Revlon is a wonderful partner because their brand values echo my brand values. When choosing partners, that’s the most important thing. They’re also very involved in philanthropic endeavors on women’s health issues. Finding a business partner that was open-minded and supportive of me as I grow my brand and help them grow theirs has been a huge asset to me.

AP: At this altitude we’re always concerned about skincare. What’s your beauty routine?
EM: I drink lots of water and use invisible zinc sunblock. In Australia they have white sunblock— I think skiers used to wear it as well. Now there’s an Australian company that has developed an invisible one. It protects your skin from UVA, UVB, and UVC rays. And I use Revlon age-defying makeup if I’m shooting or going out or want my skin to look really even. But normally I don’t wear foundation, unless I’m being photographed.

AP: You have an active philanthropic life— European ambassador for RED, ambassador for UNICEF, involvement with the Australian children’s charity Smile. How has working with these organizations affected you?
EM: I’m incredibly interested in politics, particularly such global issues as the energy crisis and the environment. Women’s health and education is also important to me. I recently returned from New York and the summit where maternal mortality was highlighted as a millennium goal requiring more attention. I’m interested in democracy, in the human condition; Noam Chomsky best [describes] my perspective.

AP: And it’s important to get involved to make that happen.
EM: Yes. I try to do this as discreetly as I can. It’s not necessarily about making noise, although sometimes that’s important, too. I was recently in Ghana, and witnessed how the government and the Global Fund are combating AIDS with women and children in Africa. It was an extraordinary trip. I love RED’s initiative that [founders] Bono and Bobby Shriver has set up. It is a really intelligent concept. The concept of conscious consumerism—that we choose how we spend our money and how to invest our time and energy. I hope that America is becoming more conscious in its political choices. We are in interesting times.