Heidi Klumis a supermodel, a super mom and asupercollector who’s incredibly attached to the clothes in her closet which, she admits, makes her somewhat of a “hoarder.”
“That happens when you don’t come from a lot of money,” the former Victoria’s Secret Angel, 50, tells PEOPLE exclusively in her Fall 2023StyleWatchcover story. “I have a really hard time throwing things away.”
TheAmerica’s Got Talentjudge grew up in her hometown of Bergisch Gladbach, near Cologne, Germany to dad Günther, who worked in the perfume business, and mom, Erna, who worked as a hairdresser.
Heidi Klum at the 1998 GQ Party for New York Yankee Derek Jeter.Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Ron Galella, Ltd./Ron Galella Collection via Getty
Her modest upbringing was carried into the early stages of her career, which took off after she won a modeling contest in 1992.
“After Paris, Milan and London, I came to New York in 1994. I had probably three pairs of heels,” she says, specifically recalling a black pair, a silver pair and a gold pair that were always on rotation.
“If you look at old photos of mine when I’m on the red carpet and people were not giving [me] things, those are the shoes that I had.”
Heidi Klum attends the Sports Illustrated event honoring the sportsmen and women of the century.Steve Azzara/Corbis via Getty

Steve Azzara/Corbis via Getty
“For me, I have to hang on to everything,” Klum explains.
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Her 19-year-old daughterLeni, on the other hand, has a looser grip on her clothes.
Klum shares: “She’s like, ‘Oh, I just got this. Do you want it? Take it.’ She’s just easy to give things away, but I think it’s because she’s always had so many things, and I didn’t. I have stuff everywhere.I have a huge walk-in closet. I have a really hard time throwing things away, because I know I’m going to wear this again at some point, and I do.”
Max Montgomery

Klum’s overflowing wardrobe comes in clutch. As a Gemini who cherishes her sartorial freedom and has a wandering fashion sense, she’s willing to try every and all aesthetics, whether she’s in the mood for “boho style” or itching to play “boss lady” for the day in a power suit.
She’s also big on sequins, which have been a staple in her recentAmerica’s Got Talentoutfit rotation (the show is wrapping up its 10th season this week).

“When I doAGT, most of the time I sit behind a desk, so it’s really from the waist up. So I look for something that is of interest around here. And usually” — she motions to her breasts —“I like to have Hans and Franz on a good display. But it’s usually sequins or something with a great texture. I love big earrings or doing different things with my hair.”
Her co-judge and friendSofía Vergaraalso loves to glam up, meaning Klum always has a stylish comrade on-set. “Sofía and I have a good beauty and fashion thing going. Last week she was in yellow, and I was in red and people made ketchup and mustard memes,” Klum shares.
source: people.com