Behati Prinsloo- Victoria's Secret Model Shows Off Her Style and NYC Home

Above, left: Behati on her back patio in a one-piece from her Behati Loves PINK line for Victoria's Secret. Above, right: In her living room in a Zara blazer, vintage dress, and her footwear-of-choice, Doc Martens. Enlarge Image

From our vantage point, a model's life can often seem nothing short of otherworldly. They jet-set and have the ability to practically transform clothing into art. But really, when you get right down to it, they usually have super messy closets, eccentric book collections, and way too many pairs of ankle boots, just like us. Or at least, the ones we love do. Twenty-year-old Behati Prinsloo is just such a lady. Prinsloo, who's graced campaigns for H&M to Marc by Marc Jacobs and has strutted for everyone from Chanel to Louis Vuitton, considers herself a "jeans and T-shirt" kind of girl, but there's more to this budding fashion star than meets the eye.

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The Namibia-born beauty just designed her own line of swimwear for Victoria's Secret called Behati Loves PINK, which is inspired by the landscape and lifestyle of her home in Africa. The playful, print-heavy line launches this week in 15 Victoria's Secret stores around the country, so it was good timing that we got an invitation to this local's East Village digs where she shacks up with her pretty kitty Gollum. The apartment, which mixes up vintage wares, a hookah den, a giant Kid Robot sculpture, and various other curiosities reveals another side of this fashion plate...just read on for a sneak-peek into Prinsloo's downtown crash-pad.

The big ring was a find from a recent trip to Mexico. The fang ring is by Bittersweets. Enlarge Image

You just launched a line for PINK Victoria's Secret. Did you enjoy the design process?
"Designing this was so fun, because I was able to put a little bit of myself, a little bit of Africa, and a little pink into it. I loved picking out patterns and colors and fabrics and the PINK team was amazing to work with."

Downstairs in the den, Behati wears a Dolce & Gabbana dress she once wore to a friend's wedding. Enlarge Image

What are your favorite pieces in the line?
"My favorite suits are the one-piece black-and-white one, the tiger one, and the checkered one! I love all the cover ups—I dont know which one to choose! They all have a personal connection with me and some have African patterns, which I love."

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Above, left: Behati in the bedroom in a vintage Rebecca Taylor dress scored at Ina in NoLIta. Above, right: A dream catcher hangs in the window downstairs. Enlarge Image

Describe your style:
"It's very easy, a bit rock-and-roll and punk with a little tomboy sometimes. But I have my hippie side as-well, which comes out now and then."

On her porch in a vintage dress from No. 6 and a vest from Urban Renewal. The crown was leftover from her Halloween costume (she went as Max from Where The Wild Things Are). Enlarge Image

What would you say your five key wardrobe pieces are, things you wear constantly?
"My cut-off jean shorts, my black jeans, my leather jacket, all my T-shirts, my tie-dye long dress, my velvet coat, oh, and my Doc Marten boots! I guess that's a few more than five."

Above, left: A beach cover-up from her Behati Loves PINK line worn with leather leggings and a vintage hat. Above, right: A tattoo on the nape of her neck. Enlarge Image

Above, left: A Mickey Mouse phone in the office. Above, right: In her overflowing closet, Behati wears a Rag & Bone jumpsuit. Enlarge Image

Do you find anyone particularly inspiring, living or dead, from a fashion perspective?
"Boy George, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix, Marilyn Monroe, Janis Joplin, Debbie Harry, and Cyndi Lauper in the '80s."

Behati's hairless cat, Gollum. Enlarge Image

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Do you have any particular dressing philosophies or strategies?
"Not really, I just wear what I like, what feels nice on my skin...I really like colors and textures."

Behati in one of her many rock tees. Without a lick of makeup and so radiant. Enlarge Image

What's your best cheap find of late?
"Well, my Zara black-and-white jacket was a big score. I also got these gorgeous handmade sandals in Mexico for nothing, and I got this amazing shark sweater at Topshop."

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A necklace by her boyfriend, model Jamie Strachan. Enlarge Image

Tell us about your home...any funny anecdotes?
"I moved into my house about a year ago, and so far nothing crazy has happened here except for my hairless cat, Gollum, making me laugh every day."

Skateboards designed by art photographer Marilyn Minter hang in her hallway. Enlarge Image

What are your favorite places to hang in your 'hood?
"I love Tompkins Square Park, Ace Bar, Sidewalk Cafe, and all the vintage stores in Alphabet City."