Dan Carter flashes a smile in a crisp white jacket and T-shirt, a splash of yellow on his feet courtesy of some Louis Vuitton sneakers. A legend on the rugby field, the former All Black has become something of a Kiwi style icon too, famously fronting Jockey campaigns and sitting front row at Louis Vuitton show in Paris.
On this particular evening, he mingles with invited guests at Auckland’s Gilt Brasserie. We’re here to celebrate the launch of the Chemist Warehouse ambassador’s latest cologne, DC10 Signature. Sharp, black bottles, adorned with 18 rings to represent his professional rugby years, are displayed throughout the restaurant; with its scent incorporating notes of orange zest, black pepper and lavender. It’s a stylish night, celebrating someone who became “fascinated by luxury brands” when he started travelling internationally.
Hours earlier, we quizzed Carter on his life in beauty; a concept he described as a, “really personal thing” that encompasses, “knowing who you are as a person, and loving and caring for yourself first”.
Outside of fragrance and products, exercise is a big part of his daily “beauty regime”, although he admits he was lucky to be “paid to keep fit” for almost two decades. And, with four young children, three bunnies and a dog keeping the household busy, finding time alone to refocus is a crucial element. It’s one he’s held since his rugby days.
“I learned at a pretty young age I needed time for myself each day… just gathering my thoughts, processing everything and focusing on something as simple as breathing,” he says.
What’s your earliest memory of beauty?
Probably stealing my father's Old Spice, and thinking I was really cool. When you look up to certain people, like your parents, and see them [adding their fragrance], as a young teenager, you do the same.
How have your style and looks changed over the years?
Growing up in a rural town like Southbridge… fashion wasn't a priority. If you looked too different to others, you'd have that fear of, ‘Oh my God, I can't express myself too much’.
Once I started travelling internationally, I started to realise people dress quite differently in different parts of the world. I just love the way that people express themselves through fashion.
I was fascinated by luxury brands, their beautiful stores and the quality of their clothing and products. So my style has evolved over time.
My worst hairstyle was when I bleached my hair completely white, and put blue dye in it for an [under 17 rugby final] – my club colours were blue and white. I didn’t realise how long it took to bleach your hair and I missed the final training of the week. I was so embarrassed. I let my whole team down. We lost the final, too. I missed my first kick from out in front because I was too worried about how I looked, and how I let the team down. My childhood friends don't let me live that one down.
I've done things in the past where I've copped a lot of ribbing from my teammates, all in good humour, of course. Modelling in my underwear [for the Jockey campaign] was a real target for my teammates to get stuck into me.
Has personal expression of style, beauty and fashion become more normalised in traditionally masculine sports?
Sport, in particular, is such an incredible way to express yourself. Look at things like the NBA – their outfits as they walk to the games, it's like a fashion show.
I'm lucky enough to have been invited to some fashion shows in Paris, and you're seeing sports people from all different backgrounds. They care about how they look, and they can have a real influence on other people.
Look at the likes of Ardie Savea… I'm sure he's got people that he looks up to, like LeBron James… Or people like David Beckham. They get it right more often than not. They try new things.
You can't take things too seriously. You can have a bit of fun along the way as well.
What have been your biggest beauty and wellness influences?
I never really focussed on beauty or knew too much about what it was. I guess in my younger days, I used to love Michael Jordan when he was playing with the Chicago Bulls. You’d see his Oakley sunglasses. So you’d immediately want a pair of those. Or David Beckham with his personalised soccer boots. I wanted my own personalised pair of rugby boots.
Do you remember the first skincare product you fell in love with?
I was well into my 20s before I started using any creams or skincare products. I think [my first] was Clinique. I fell in love with [the brand] for some reason; my skin felt really soft. I’d be too embarrassed to tell any of my rugby teammates what I just repeated to you, but I went through this fascination with [their] moisturising products - body moisturisers, face moisturisers, deodorants.
What was the first fragrance you owned?
Once I started playing rugby and travelling, I [became] fascinated by the duty-free stores. And that's when I started buying fragrances. My first purchase was a rectangle bottle of Issey Miyake. It’s still probably one of my favourites.
What do you wear now?
Luckily, I've got a lot of bottles of the DC 10 range. I produce this because I like it, so that’s what you smell on me these days.
What’s your ethos when it comes to beauty and beauty standards?
It's just simplicity. I like to use organic products as much as possible… But I guess simplicity. Keep it simple.
Beauty is inextricably tied to youth. What has been your approach to getting older?
I just have so much more knowledge and maturity. Man, I still remember when my parents turned 40, and it was celebrated as over the hill. Now I'm 42, I've still got so much life to live.
I think beauty isn't something that you give up on once you reach [a certain age]. It's part of your life forever. Obviously, it evolves over time, but there’s no end point to personal beauty.
What’s your most sentimental beauty product or cosmetic product?
I never thought in my wildest dreams that I’d be producing my own product. When I am an old man, I [can tell] my grandchildren, ‘back in my day, I produced a fragrance’. I think over time, this will be a legacy piece that I'll be really proud of.
What fashion or beauty item makes you feel like your true, authentic self?
I was thinking of shoes… but no. It’s boots. Boots are so much more [me] as a person. I have a collection of rugby boots, and they've evolved over time. I've designed and collaborated with Adidas on a few different pairs. I always had my children's names on my boots – a really personal thing and something I love so much.
What beauty lesson do you want to pass on to your children?
Similar to my values. Don’t overcomplicate things. Find what you like and embrace it.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
