Lorraine

Lorraine Downes is standing still as the make-up artist gives her golden-girl hair a final brush and the stylist smooths her pearlescent blouse just so. The photographer calls out direction for the next pose from the other end of the patio, while a TV crew hovers expectantly by the pool’s edge at the hired location. Her style squad stepping back, all eyes and lenses on her, she strides forward, flashing that winning smile.

This year is turning out to be a busy one for Downes. She’s launching her memoir, Life, Loss, Love – an honest retelling of her well-publicised personal highs and lows, from being crowned Miss Universe at the age of 19 to the untimely death of her soulmate, Martin Crowe – while in the midst of putting the finishing touches to her newly renovated home on Auckland’s North Shore.

It’s surely an emotional time in her life – but you’d never perceive this on photographs her for the cover at an art-filled private residence the crew is calling home for the day. Sharing a laugh with her team and doing whatever it takes to get the perfect shot, she’s the composed centre of the shoot as everyone rushes around her. At 53 and with a calm confidence, she’s a true professional who can outshine any younger model.