Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

If you've watched The Summer I Turned Pretty, you're already familiar with Lola Tung, but after even a few minutes of talking with her, it becomes clear that the qualities that have made her a breakout star—her warmth, curiosity, and easygoing confidence—extend far beyond when she first graced our screens as the bright and bubbly Belly Conklin hanging out at Cousins Beach all those years ago

When we connect, Tung is in the midst of a busy season, balancing work, travel, and the whirlwind that comes with being one of Hollywood's most closely watched actors. We hop on Zoom a few weeks after she wrapped a massive Foot Locker and Adidas campaign, where, in the sweltering New York sun, she shot different looks in the back of a delivery truck like a pro. Despite it all, Tung comes across as refreshingly grounded. Whether she's discussing the Adidas sneakers she reaches for most often, the artists and writers who inspire her, or the timeless Cher looks she still thinks about years later, she speaks with the enthusiasm of someone genuinely excited by the things she loves.

That perspective seems to stem from her wide-ranging interests. Alongside acting, Tung is an avid reader, a lover of vintage fashion, and someone who pays close attention to the creative women who have shaped culture across generations. It's why her current summer reading list includes a classic Patti Smith title and why conversations about personal style quickly lead to discussions about self-expression, storytelling, and individuality.

Ahead, Tung takes us inside her world—from her adorable dog Bodie and the classic '90s TV show that's always on repeat to her fashion inspirations and everyday essentials she can't get enough of right now.

Give us a peek into your world. What does a typical day look like?

Every day right now is different from the last. I just did my second Adidas campaign last week, so I got up at 6:30 a.m., which is not typical for me, but it was nice to get up and see the sun rise. I got to set, got ready in hair and makeup, and shot the campaign. Thankfully, we had nice weather in the morning, because it started raining later on. We wrapped around 5:30 p.m., and I met up with one of my dear friends for dinner. It was a lovely day because I got to have fun on set and then see my friends. I've been trying to see my friends a lot since I've been home.

You rose to fame so quickly with The Summer I Turned Pretty. How did that moment shift the way you view your career or the opportunities you want to take on?

It shifted everything, obviously, and that is the reason that I have a career. I am so grateful for it. Any actor wants to do things that feel different from each other, so if I'm lucky enough, I want to have the chance to do projects that are on complete opposite ends of the spectrum. I've started to have the opportunity to do that, which has been so much fun.

You were just in Forbidden Fruits, in which audiences get to see such a different side to you and a character you haven't played before. What draws you to a role?

There's not one thing I can pinpoint. It's just a good script and … interesting characters that are fully fleshed out, which was the case for Forbidden Fruits. Someone like Belly, too, was so interesting to me because she has such an active inner life that comes across through the show. Also, meeting with directors or filmmakers who just you instantly connect with is a good sign of a good role too.

You're no stranger to the Broadway world. You placed Eurydice in Hadestown on Broadway a few years back. Is there another dream Broadway character or show you'd love to be in?

It's funny because I I didn't even realize I was saying it, but a couple years before Hadestown, I had said Eurydice was my dream role. It's manifestation! I loved the show so much. It was the best Broadway debut ever. I love that character, and I love that show, and I love the music and the people in that building. It was the warmest welcome, and everyone was incredible. I don't know how I'd top that. I would love to do a new show. [There are] so many incredible new female playwrights that are writing such incredible things. I instantly think of John Proctor Is the Villain, so something new would be so much fun, something I don't even know what it is yet.

We're entering a new season—new beginnings, new resets. Is there anything you're excited to explore style-wise right now?

I love when the warmer weather happens and everybody pulls out their jorts. It's the start of summer style. I've got my little Adidas Samba Janes that are making an appearance. I love getting to rediscover what my style looks like in warmer weather. Every time it rolls around again, I'm like, "I don't have to do the coat anymore, so let's really make this outfit count."

Your style has really come into its own and has become such a big part of your identity over the last couple of years. How would you describe your relationship with fashion?

It's constantly evolving. My stylist, Britt McCamey, recently said style isn't about what you wear. It's about who you are and the way you treat people and carry yourself. It's all a form of expression. I've always wanted to feel confident and beautiful and wear things that make me feel good, happy, and just like me. Style changes every day because it's dependent on how you're feeling inside or what you want to express that day, so it's been fun to explore. Of course, I'm a sneaker girl, so shooting this Adidas campaign was absolutely up my alley.

What's your favorite way to style sneakers, especially your Adidas ones you've been raving about? Are you a jeans-and-sneaker kind of person? Dresses and sneakers?

The sky is the limit, really. It's different every day. Adidas has this cute little ruched jersey that I've been wearing with my Samba Janes, which has been really fun. Sometimes, I love a little skirt moment. [For the] last campaign I shot with them, we did a little leg warmer with it too, which feels really ballet and coquette-esque.

As you continue to grow in your career and fashion expression, you're partnering with different brands. You were just at Paris Fashion Week with Miu Miu. What's one surprising thing you've learned about your personal style as you've attended shows and worked with brands?

It's so dependent on the brand, but with Foot Locker, they're so open with me and my stylist working with them and my experimental sense of style. Shooting this campaign felt more like me, which is so nice. Across the board with any brand, since it's my style and it's so personal, I've learned that not everyone is gonna love everything that I wear, but what matters is that I love what I wear and I feel good.

If you could raid anyone's closet, past or present, who would it be?

Oh my gosh, Cher. Like, are you kidding me? Her with Bob Mackie... all of those phenomenal dresses. They're not for everyday wear, but it could be possible if you're feeling it. In New York, anything is possible.

As we enter a new season, are you doing any kind of spring-cleaning or overhauling of your closet? Anything you're keeping or throwing away?

I have some things from my mom that she's passed down to me that I will keep forever, that I love, like a nice pair of jeans. And my Adidas Sambas, of course I'm keeping [them]. They're always in my closet and great for so many outfits. I actually don't know what I'm getting rid of. I think that I try to style old clothes and give them new life. We're so fast to go through trends and buy new and get rid of other things, so I'm trying to rewear a ton of my old pieces.

Keeping in line with cleaning, organizing isn't just for your wardrobe. Are you someone who resets your frame of mind or space as we enter the spring and summer?

Honestly, I should probably clean my apartment. I love having fresh flowers in my apartment, and that always signals a new start and change for me.

Finish the sentence: My home feels like home when it ____.

When it smells like a homemade meal if I'm cooking, which is probably more rare than it should be, or when I have art and décor on the walls. I'm always saying I'll decorate, but I never get around to it. I'm always putting it off for so long, but I have some of artwork that was hanging in my grandparents' apartment now hanging in my apartment, and it's like having a piece of them there.

You're traveling around so much with your line of work. What's something that you bring with you, whether it's on set or in a new city, that feels like home to you?

My mom gifted me … a little frame with four Polaroids of my dog, Bodie. I actually have it right here in the back as I'm talking to you.

What's your screen time these days?

I don't even know because I'm so scared to turn it on. I live in ignorance!

Any apps you're deleting as you do your digital spring-cleaning?

All social media. I actually don't have any on my phone right now. Bold, I know! But I'm really into YouTube Shorts right now. I also love Pinterest, which is so fun because it's an app that doesn't let me overthink about what I'm posting or sharing. It fuels my creative juices, like outfit ideas or what I can cook and movies I should watch.

Since you're not on social media as much, is there anything you're doing to occupy your mind? Anything you're reading right now?

I'm reading something very slowly right now because I'm a terribly slow reader, and it doesn't even have to do with the books. I just have this habit of starting a book and taking months to finish the first 30 pages and then zooming through it. My friend gave me Just Kids [by Patti Smith] a couple months ago. I started it while I working on a pretty intense job, so I was very locked in [on set] and didn't have much time to read. I've been getting back into it now because it's such a classic, and I feel so behind that I haven't finished reading it. It's written so beautifully, so I'm excited to finish it, however long that'll take.

Is there a corner of the internet you're fixated on?

I get into theater videos on YouTube Shorts because I love theater. I love Brittany Broski. I'd love to be on Royal Court—are you kidding? That would be so much fun. They're so funny, and she's so great at interviewing people and making it such a fun environment.

Do you have a comfort TV show or movie that you've watched a million times but never gets old?

Sex and the City, for sure. The OG show is pretty much on all the time. It's on repeat in the background when I'm doing anything at all.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

If you work in fashion, you might already know of Jenny Walton, or chances are you’ve seen a street style photo of her without even realizing it. Take one scroll through her Instagram, and you’ll immediately feel her sunshiny personality—a genuine candor (that's never cloying) that comes through on our call.

Since growing up in rural New Jersey and getting a BFA in fashion design from Parsons School of Design, Walton has been designing, illustrating, and writing and become known for her distinctive personal style—meticulously curating a dream wardrobe through hours on Vinted and The RealReal, sifting through vintage stores around the world, and dressing herself for fashion shows. This led to her becoming Vogue’s vintage shopping columnist.

Now, she has a book coming out on April 29, Jenny Sais Quoi: Adventures in Vintage & Personal Style, named after her Substack newsletter, which is currently available for preorder. Ahead of its release, we talk about everything from her closet and makeup bag to style icons like Georgia O’Keeffe, Diana Vreeland, Edith Sitwell, and Virginia Woolf; New York, Milan, and what’s next (California); and an assortment of her other all-time favorite things: Miuccia Prada, The Red Shoes (1948), caffè macchiatos, and her best vintage find yet, a fixer-upper in northern Tuscany.

Below, take a look into the world of the illustrator, designer, and writer.

How would you describe growing up in South Jersey?

Cornfields—randomly rural. I think most people in New York City think of Jersey and picture North Jersey, like Newark. The only thing we really enjoyed doing was going to this 24-hour diner nearby called Colonial, and that was the fun place to go late at night. But there really wasn’t too much else, and my mom was too afraid to drive into Philly, so we mostly stayed in New Jersey. But it was also really fun because there were a lot of vintage markets and yard sales. It was very suburban—going to Goodwill and the mall. So it was kind of simplistically nice in a way.

Can you talk me through your career trajectory?

I basically moved to New York when I was 18 to study fashion design at Parsons, and I ended up living there for about 15 years. I thought I'd be a designer or creative director—that was the plan. But then I was an assistant designer at Calypso St Barth for two years. It was a lot of it was emailing with factories and following up on samples, which I wasn’t that good at. I was always more obsessed with going to the flea market on the weekend to find a cool vintage sweater and bringing it in and saying, Can we remake this? I used to take this long subway ride—from the length of the G to the 7 train—because I lived in Park Slope and the office was in Queens, and I would just sketch for the whole hour to work and the hour home.

This was around 2014, when Instagram was really first taking off. So I would post a sketch at the end of the subway ride, and it was the early days where, if you were posting, you could actually gain traction pretty quickly. I got featured on a Discover page, and pretty soon editors and people were reaching out to me to illustrate. That’s when I went off on my own after two years, and I started traveling more. I began getting invited to shows. Over time, I started just by posting my illustrations, and then every once in a while I’d post wearing something vintage. People would say, Oh my God, I love that—where’d you get it? I realized I could document my life—whether it was traveling, vintage finds, or artwork I was working on—and people enjoyed following along.

There are so many people who are creative but might be in a job that doesn’t feel aligned, and they want to figure out a way to get out of it. What advice would you give them?

I think even though online it’s a lot more crowded now, if you have a distinct voice, you can still cut through. It happens all the time—there’s a new voice and you’re like, Oh, who is this person? But they’re so confident, and you really believe them. I guess my main advice is that you really just have to kind of jump, even though it’s horrifying.

My first illustration job—I remember they asked me how much I wanted to be paid. It was to live illustrate in a store in SoHo, and I said $700, because that was my rent. I quit my job based off that. My dad was like, What are you doing? What are you going to eat? You can’t just make your rent. And I was like, I’ll be fine. That's something that’s kind of nice about being younger—you’re a little bit naïve, so you’ll take those big jumps. Even when I was older—30 or 31—I moved to Italy after COVID, and that was also a big jump. I didn’t speak Italian. I moved there with an ex, and then we broke up, so it was like, Okay, I’m on my own—I have to sink or swim. And I ended up figuring out how to get a visa and staying. There were a lot of really hard moments, but it was always worth it to take that jump. You really start to believe in yourself when you fully commit to it.

Do you feel like there was anyone who instilled that sense of self-belief in you?

My friend recently told me, You know, you’re kind of delusional. I think my mother’s a very strong kind of woman. There's no convincing her. And I have two sisters. It was very important that we were incredibly independent and we went after what we wanted, and she never pushed us to study a certain thing, or that we needed to rely on a man or anything like that. So she really helped me be very independent.

Do you remember any formative memories of deciding to pursue fashion design?

My mother’s an amazing quilter, and I learned how to sew from her, so I was already making my own clothes in middle school. As dorky as this is, that’s when Project Runway was in its heyday. My dad’s not a fashion person at all. He would work late nights, but he would come home, and whatever night it came out, it was our bond. We loved that show, and we would watch it together. And I think that’s also where my obsession with Parsons came from. I already had these sewing skills, so I was like, Oh, I think I could actually do it. I think those early reality TV shows opened up this world to us.

Is there a piece of advice that stuck with you from your time at Parsons?

I had great teachers at Parsons, and they instilled in me the importance of hard work, and you can’t really get around putting in the hours. I have an essay about this in the book called "10,000 Hours of Style." I argue that you have to spend a lot of time doing it. Even an aesthetic choice tunes your eye, and I’ve spent hundreds of thousands of hours in vintage stores, looking through racks of things. Now I’m at the point where I can hold something up and I know exactly know how it will look on me—what I like and what I don’t like.

All of our main classes were six hours long at Parsons. I had a lot of great fashion illustration teachers. They really taught us this commitment to taking a lot of time, and there’s no kind of way around it. We were the only building in Parsons that was open until 2 a.m. because we would all stay so late.

I would love to talk about your book and how it came about.

An editor from Phaidon reached out to me two years ago and was like, I’d love to do a Jenny book. I’ve been following you for a long time. What could that be? And I was like, Oh my god, I don’t know. So it took a year of these two-hour-long Zooms we would do every week just talking about what would be fun, what would be cool. I felt like I was up against this thing of… there aren’t really that many good books about fashion or style. It’s really hard to apply rules to everyone, or say You should dress this way or This is the silhouette that looks good. And I say in the book, everybody is different. I grew up with another show, What Not to Wear, where it was really like, Oh, this is your style? It’s ugly. We’re throwing it in a trash can. I really didn’t want anything that felt like a guide, so I wanted to talk more from the perspective of how I found my style or things I’ve found helpful and hopefully inspire people through what I’ve learned but not necessarily tell them what to do.

Can you give a preview of more of the advice or ideas in the book?

I have another essay called "Off the Algorithm," about how you have to get off this thing that’s being fed to you because it’s being fed to a million people, and it’s too easy, too passive. You really need to go into a vintage store—it could be an old bookstore or record store—or watch an old movie. It takes time. I have another one called "Flow State Fashion," all about how you should make a mess—pull out all your stuff and start putting together weird combos, put on music, have fun with it. The beginning is awkward, and you’ll make combinations you’ve done a million times or feel boring, but as you go, you get into a flow state, and then exciting things happen. Another main takeaway, and why I named it Jenny Sais Quoi, is that I use vintage as a special little touch. Whether it’s a new Toteme blouse or a pair of jeans, then you have a cute little vintage belt or a vintage silk scarf, even your grandmother’s ring—it can be that simple, but those little things take your style to a whole new stratosphere and make it unique to you; something nobody can copy.

You have an incredible vintage collection. I know it probably changes, but what is your most prized piece in your collection right now?

I’m obsessed with a very, very bright blue, and there is this 1950s cardigan that I found on Etsy years ago. It’s just in this acrylic kind of wool, not too scratchy, but you just don’t see sweaters this bright. It's the same kind of blue that I hand-painted the [book] cover. So many minimalist brands now rarely go for color, which is frustrating because with Toteme or The Row, I want to see their color choices. The Row just showed a beautiful blue and white long dress at its last show, which was nice. I want to see people take more chances. Even last year, a pop of red was the It color, and it’s like, Okay, for everybody?

People always talk about style words. Do you have ones you identify with?

I hate the defining your style—although it’s a very lovely idea, and I see why it's very tempting—but it feels so reductive. People often ask, What is your style? And, of course, I could say vintage-inspired or classic with a twist or colorful. There are all these adjectives. Thinking in a world where it’s already so reductive, everyone’s style is becoming more and more similar, then also being like, Okay, how can I define it in a few words? feels to me limiting, but I’m slightly a rebel so…

Do you have style icons?

Honestly, I realized as I was writing the book, so many of them are artists, which is really interesting. There’s a great book by Charlie Porter called What Artists Wear. Diana Vreeland, incredible dresser. Edith Sitwell, really interesting. Virginia Woolf, also Georgia O’Keeffe. There are a lot of artists who had incredible style and designers too. Miuccia Prada has probably our current-day best style. Although, I’m obviously very biased.

Why do you think you gravitate toward Miuccia Prada?

She helms one of the most fascinating brands everyone’s dying to see every season. And yet, even the most anticipated moment of that show is when she takes the bow at the end. For me, it’s like, What is she going to be wearing? I think this is what makes personal style so interesting. It’s why everyone’s obsessed with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy—trying to replicate someone whose personal life is elusive. What you wear gives a glimpse of what might be going on behind the scenes, and so it’s much more fascinating than a model who’s been styled. Personal style actually embodies something that’s going on behind the scenes.

All of her references—whether it's an old film from the ’60s or these five different books she’s reading about women’s role in society—she’s questioning that as much as she can while still running her global fashion brand, and it’s really fascinating. She just has a great eye as well. She has incredible antique jewelry. She has a really modern way of wearing really luxe items, like a beautiful pointed silk heel and then a gorgeous vintage diamond brooch, but she’ll put it on a very simple sweater, obviously Prada, but you could also find something aesthetically similar at J.Crew or Uniqlo. But she’s got these little touches. I think accessories are very, very helpful as well.

Obviously, there are a lot of people who have a minimalist style, with The Row being so popular and especially with Carolyn Bessette Kennedy. Do you have any advice for people who gravitate toward that kind of style?

Even just a cute little knee-length skirt and a kitten heel. When you go online, so many people’s style looks so similar that it’s hard to tell them apart. They’re all getting the same resources, looking at the same things, shopping at the same places. So it could be going and looking through a family member’s wardrobe, and being like, Oh my god, I love that, and maybe they let you borrow something. That’s what’s really unique. It’s so clear when people are trusting their instincts and going searching in other places.

What’s something that you never wear and doesn’t really have a place in your wardrobe?

I never really wore sneakers outside of the gym. However, I love the soft sneaker trend of the past few years. The Loewe Ballet Runner. When that first came out five years ago, I was like, Oh my god, this is the softest—there’s just no structure to it. I still have those The Row mesh flats. I essentially love a shoe that’s basically not there, as much as possible. I don’t like big chunky, bulky sneakers or footwear in general, unless it’s very much a fashion thing, like Wedge Balloon heels—it has to be completely absurd. I did give in to a puffer jacket—a short black one for going to the dog park. It's a Uniqlo one that I’ve had for like five or six years.

What’s your process for vintage shopping?

It’s an addiction. This is why I have an old stone house in northern Tuscany that I’m restoring now. Because when fashion wasn’t enough, when late-night scrolling on Vinted and The RealReal wasn’t enough, I started going to local, small real estate websites in rural villages in Italy because I was like, Oh, I’m never gonna be able to buy a house in America. I’m a millennial—this is a dream that has tragically passed my generation—but in rural Italy, maybe. So I’m working on that now. That’s my best vintage find.

Are you loyal to a specific nail polish color?

It’s exactly the same as getting my hair done, which is just complete and sheer terror—color paralysis and cut paralysis. I can only really do my hair on a completely random walk, in Milan, at a place that’s 25 euros. I can’t plan it. When it comes to nails, I didn’t paint them at all for the last year or two—really never did anything. But I am so in love with Diana Vreeland and her style that all it takes is seeing one photo of her in her completely red living room on the Upper East Side with her long red nails. Then I go into the nail salon, but I’m horrified because they give you so many options. I basically try to go somewhere in that kind of Chinese red, a lacquered shade you sometimes see on furniture from the '60s. Sometimes I call it "spaghetti red," something with a little bit of orange in it, like a nice pomodoro sauce. I don’t like too dark; I don’t like too bright.

What are your most repurchased beauty products?

I’m obsessed with Fara Homidi—have you ever tried the lip compact? The color is perfect, and so is the liner. It’s so chic. Then there’s the lip liner that goes with it, the Smudge and Contour Lip Pencil. My favorite lip product of all time is the Glossier Generation G in Zip. It’s a little coral. I’ve had it since it came out, and nobody’s ever been able to touch this color.

For eyebrow pencil, I love Gucci Beauty. They have a waterproof pencil in Brown 04, and sometimes I also use Boy Brow. I also use a Gucci foundation in 210N, which is good for 24-hour wear. Recently, I became obsessed with these K18 hair treatments because I dyed my hair blonde, and my hairstylist in New York said my hair needed it. Any black eyeliner works for a cat eye, but right now I’m using the Glossier one. I also keep a Kiko pencil on hand—it’s a cheap makeup brand in Milan, but I always have one. Hermès makeup is amazing too, and everything’s refillable.

Is there anything that you learned that has forever impacted the way that you do makeup?

I mean, I have always done a cat eye, and I really like doing that. I remember asking a makeup artist how to know where the line should go, and they told me you should basically just extend the curve of your bottom eyelid and follow that line up. That’s how you get a cat eye because it’s so hard to know whether to go down or up. Sometimes I’m doing it, and I think, Am I living in the 1960s? Should I be doing this? But I paint a lot, so I really like painting things. It feels like a modern version of painting, in a way. It’s kind of fun, but stressful.

Where are you living now?

Actually, I just moved out of Milan. I’ve been renting in Milan the past few years, but my fiancé is from California, so we’re looking to find a place there. I moved my stuff from Milan to Tuscany, and the plan is for it to hopefully be at least livable in the next few months so I can spend the summer there because it’s two hours below Milan but only a half-hour from the sea.

What's one thing you like to do whenever you're in Pennsylvania where your parents live?

My number one thing is finding a vintage store—it could be clothing, it could be a bookstore. There's an amazing free library in the basement of this little library nearby parents in Pennsylvania, and I found the most incredible book there. It's called Plant Dreaming Deep by May Sarton. She's an amazing poet, but it's just a little book about how she bought this old farmhouse and restored it. I found it just at the time that I had just bought in Tuscany. There's this little vintage store called Pink Flamingos Vintage, and that's in Brookville, Pennsylvania, also near my parents. Those are the places I'm always wanting to go to, in addition to the cutest coffee shop I can find, especially in Europe. I have to find the cute café, and then I just sit there and bring my dogs.

What kind of dogs do you have?

I have two. I have a beagle, but she's the world's smallest beagle. She's eight kilograms, which is the limit for flying with them by some miracle, and then a wire haired dachshund.

Is there anything you always try to do when you're in New York City?

I always go to The Strand because I just love used books and finding old, strange books. There’s also a great bookstore in the East Village called Bonnie’s Cookbooks. She’s just this New Yorker who tells it like it is. It’s this walk-down-basement kind of store with all these old used cookbooks.

What about in California?

I’ve been spending some time in San Francisco because my fiancé’s family is from the Bay Area. It’s a fascinating city, and they have a lot of great vintage there. I’m really excited to explore California vintage more because there’s so much amazing mid-century stuff. It’s like in the later seasons of Mad Men, when they go to California and the wardrobe just pops off.

There’s a great vintage store called Relic Vintage there that I’ve completely fallen in love with—with a lot of things from the '50s and '60s. To live, I’m thinking more around Santa Barbara County or Ojai. My fiancé went to school there, and I never really spent much time in Santa Barbara, so we’ve been visiting more so I can get a better idea.

Is there an item that wherever you live, your home isn't complete without?

I have a collection of the little coffee cups—the little espresso and macchiato cups. I’ll go to a random little store or café, and if they have a cute cup, I’ll even go to the person and be like, Can I buy this? Please? I’ll give you 20 euros. Usually, the barista just slips it to me. When I’m in the U.S., if I have some of those with me, it makes me feel like my little Italian spirit is still with me.

What is a song that you currently have on repeat?

I love the new Harry Styles album. It’s so good. Track five is called "Taste Back," and it mentions Paris, so immediately you’re like, yes—croissants, Paris, the whole mood. I’m very tied to him because his last album came out four years ago, right when I moved to Milan. I was breaking up and had to stand on my own two feet, and my girlfriend was with me. Then, four years later, when Harry’s new album came out, she was helping me move out of Milan again. We always have this kind of tied feeling. We were checking on the house in Tuscany, picking out flooring, and then drove back along the coast the morning the album came out.

What are some of your favorite movies?

I watch a lot of old movies, especially when I’m painting—beautiful ones that inspire me and have incredible cinematography. One of my favorite movies to rewatch is The Red Shoes. It’s about a ballet dancer who loves her art so much it kind of drives her to insanity. It’s stunning—the set decoration, the costumes, and the Technicolor are just gorgeous. All the reds and blues are extra saturated; it’s very cinematic and so fun.

I also love the old Barbara Stanwyck, Joan Crawford, and Bette Davis movies with really strong women. Recently, I saw Hamnet. Here’s a beauty tip: Don’t wear mascara to see Hamnet. I wore mascara and cried nonstop for two hours because Jessie Buckley is the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. I was jaw-on-the-floor amazed. The last film I saw that hit me that way was Perfect Days from Japan. I kept going back to watch it.

Are there any books that you would recommend?

I always go back to certain ones from high school that I just always reread, like The Great Gatsby. I have my old copy of it that I keep together with a ribbon because I was reading it on the beach in Portugal, and the pages were literally falling apart. I love Salinger as well because I’m just eternally an angsty teen inside my head. I like Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey.

Do you have a hot take?

Cold foam is just whipped cream. I’m not saying it’s bad—there’s no shade. It’s just that cold foam is basically a rebranding of whipped cream. I started going with my dad when he would go to Dunkin’ Donuts last year, and I was writing the book in Pennsylvania. He’d be like, Do you want cold foam? And I was like, What is that? It was whipped cream basically.

For me, the perfect drink is a café macchiato, taken at the bar. I put in a little dolcificante, which is like a tiny sugar pill that comes out of a dispenser in my house. It’s not the kind of fake sugar that causes cancer—or so Google tells me. I have it at the bar like four times a day. It’s quick, easy, fun, and a great way to learn Italian and see how people actually speak because you’re just hanging out at the bar. Italians have been drinking coffee like that for ages.

What’s something that living in Italy has imposed on you?

The best thing about living in Europe in general is the work culture. And this is coming from somebody who works for herself, by herself, walks her dogs, does whatever she wants. The fact that they take a long, nice lunch together—and they eat lunch together as an office—is amazing. They know how to be normal people, have fun conversations, be silly, and even have a glass of wine at lunch. When you do that, you can be more productive because you’re not going crazy, pulling your hair out, and super stressed.

The salad-at-your-desk culture—that’s nobody’s fault, but it’s just the culture we created—is psychotic. Italians have a really good work/life balance. People make fun of it, but it’s so much healthier. They take off the entire month of August. If you go to Milan in August, it’s legitimately scary—it’s a ghost town. Everyone goes to the sea, the mountains, Thailand—they travel. A lot of them are out of office by the end of July, and then they come back refreshed. The whole culture appreciates that. They’re much healthier this way. I really love that—I’ve learned a lot from it.

Is there a piece of advice you’re living by right now? Or, alternatively, the classic question of what advice would you give your younger self?

When you’re trusting your instincts and being true to yourself, you know when you’re kind of faking it to make somebody else happy or going into people-pleaser mode. I’ve done that, whether it’s been in relationships or working a job that didn’t feel right for me. And there was always that voice in the back of my head that was like, Is this… Jenny? That’s what I really wanted to show in the book as well—knowing yourself. I have another essay called "Mistakes Make Style" about how I hold my pen in a really weird way. In third grade, the teacher tried to rubber-band my hand to the pen to make me write "the right way." But all of these little quirks make you who you are, and they’re reflected in your style as well.

I have another essay called "Perfect as a Prison." I started off talking about how my dog, Aurora, the dachshund, is my favorite knitwear designer. I’ll go to bed wearing a sweater, get hot in the night, and take it off. Aurora went through a phase for months where she would chew holes in everything. It was so funny—like, you go into a Yohji or Comme des Garçons store and see a 1000-euro sweater with holes everywhere. There’s also an Italian idea that means "a little messed up." Style should be a little bit messed up—it shouldn’t be perfect—and that’s what makes it unique. Even Prada last season, all the cuffs were really stained, and people were like, Ah…! But those things make style unique. Leaning into what makes you unique is always the right way to go. That’s the advice I would give my younger self: Trust yourself, and know it will all work out, even if it’s scary.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

It's 2 p.m. ET on a Wednesday when I log on to my computer to meet and chat with Elaine Welteroth. She immediately apologizes for keeping her camera off, explaining she's been awake since 5 a.m., having landed early in Minnesota to talk with college students about feminism and journalism. It doesn't come across as a complaint so much as a glimpse of her demanding schedule—early alarms, numerous flights, and a calendar that spans multiple time zones.

This is what life looks like for Welteroth: a constant movement between stages, red carpets, meetings, and motherhood. It's why people often say she wears many hats. But talk to her for just 45 minutes, and it becomes clear that those "hats" don't feel like a juggling act to her. To Welteroth, they're simply different passions that shape how she spends her time.

Many first came to know Welteroth through her tenure at Teen Vogue, where she made headlines as the publication's editor in chief. At the time, she became the youngest person and the second African American ever to hold the role. Under her leadership, the magazine evolved into something more than a fashion title, publishing political and social justice content that resonated with a new generation of readers. But that chapter was only one layer.

Since then, Welteroth published her memoir, More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are, which encourages readers to recognize their value and challenge existing norms. Shortly after, she began serving as a judge on Project Runway. In 2024, she launched her nonprofit organization, BirthFund, to improve access to maternal healthcare while making appearances as a host on The Talk, cohosting the SAG Awards preshow and Hulu's The Conversations Project, and contributing to major publications like The Washington Post and British Vogue.

The grind doesn't stop there. The most recent gig for Welteroth was an Allbirds campaign, which, as a sneaker lover, Welteroth mentions, was a very organic partnership for her. While there's a lot on her plate, she retains a confident, can-do-it-all attitude and tells me that her secret to balancing it all is "allowing myself to be present fully in whatever role I'm embodying in that moment." Plus, knowing her work has impacted others makes all the effort worthwhile.

"It's easy to get caught up and forget that my work—the TV shows I've been on or the book I've written—actually resonates with people," Welteroth says. "I had the sweetest reminder of this when I was in San Francisco shooting the Allbirds campaign. Two separate groups, mothers and daughters, approached me and said, 'Can we take a picture? We love watching Project Runway with you.' And I'm like, oh my God. The fact that the moment meant something to someone, a special bonding moment, is truly so sweet."

Ahead, she shares her humbling first job and how it made a lasting impact, how she balances being a mom of two with numerous professional roles, the importance of choosing versatile pieces that support the life she's actually leading, and so much more.

Your résumé is incredibly extensive, but let's start at the beginning—what was your very first job? What did it teach you that you still carry with you today?

Funny enough, my first job was actually dancing in a life-size bee costume at HomeTown Buffet. What it taught me is never to take myself too seriously. It reminded me of the importance of just having fun. I've led a very serious career, helped grow organizations, and built my own organization—it's hard work, and it's serious. However, I feel like I've carried that spirit of the dancing bee with me into every chapter of my career. It's served me really well.

You became the youngest editor in chief in Teen Vogue history. What hard truth about leadership did you learn that no one prepared you for?

As an editor in chief and a founder of anything, it's hard work and isolating. You truly devote your life to building something you believe in. Sometimes it can feel a little lonely. Then there are moments when you step out into the world and see how your work has impacted others. There's nothing quite like that. It refuels your tank, reminds you of your why, and encourages you to keep pushing. It reminds you that your work matters because sometimes, when you're working in a silo, you wonder, Is anyone gonna read this? Does anyone care? When you get to connect with someone who has encountered your work, and it's meant something to them, there's no greater feeling.

In your New York Times best-selling book, More Than Enough: Claiming Space for Who You Are, you write about ambition and belonging. In honor of International Women's Month, what advice would you give to young women who want to lead without shrinking themselves?

Do you. I mean that in every way because there are no rules. It used to be that there was a ladder you climbed to the top of whatever industry you wanted to be in. That ladder no longer exists, which can be scary for some people. However, for entrepreneurs or those with an entrepreneurial mindset, it's exciting because you have full permission to let your enthusiasm guide you, to become self-directed, and to build that muscle of self-trust. And it informs the career you'll create. Understand who you are, what you want to say, how you want to spend your days, and do that. There's no formula you need to follow, and no mold you need to fit into. This world is changing so rapidly, and it's making space for people with unique perspectives and pursuits. So go after it.

In April 2024, you started your nonprofit organization, BirthFund. What about that initiative are you most proud of, and why do you think this work matters right now?

All of the safety nets and social safety provisions in this country are disintegrating before our eyes. Things that we never thought would disappear have been rolled back, leaving many people vulnerable. In times like these, we desperately need mutual aid initiatives like ours that lean into the power of community support more than ever. This is the way forward. This is the way now. It’s the way to support people in meaningful ways without waiting for lawmakers to act or relying on broken systems that were never meant to serve everyone. Why don't we come together as a community to address the problems we see and build solutions? Essentially, BirthFund is a response to a major issue I encountered when I was pregnant, and nothing in my career has been more rewarding than creating something I saw a need for. It truly blew my mind because women's health has long been underfunded, undervalued, and under-researched. However, that is changing thanks to women rallying together, raising these issues, and elevating the conversation. One thing I'm very proud of is that in our first year, we raised over $3 million. To anyone who thinks maternal health is an unrelated issue not worthy of mainstream focus, think again. People have rallied around this mission and the families who need support so desperately. The world is changing, but babies will never stop being born, and despite robots taking over, care in human hands is irreplaceable. We will always need midwives. Now more than ever, with maternal health deserts, hospital closures, and increasing maternal mortality, communities are relying more on dedicated birth workers like midwives. We're here to support them, to grow that pipeline, and to keep doing this work. We're excited about all the possibilities.

Tell me what work/life balance looks like to you. How do you juggle parenting and having a successful career?

I don't just say yes to things. I say, "Hell, yes." I bring my best energy and full self to everything. I won't feel guilty about being where my feet are. I allow myself to be fully present there. When I move to the next moment, my attention follows. This mindset has helped me a lot. Support and comfort in your own skin are crucial, and having a community and a wardrobe that adapts to my mood helps. I think about what I'll wear each day and step into that character. I enjoy switching roles and dressing the part, allowing myself to be fully present in whatever role I'm in.

Do you have a dream next step that you would like to take in your career?

I'm in creation mode right now. I haven't been able to do this in a long time. I've been out in the world, out front for a while, and I've pulled back. It feels really good as a storyteller to focus on being creative, to spend my days heads down, building something I'm excited about. While I can't exactly say what I'm doing or what my next step is, I will say that I'm such a glasses girlie, and I've always wanted a line of eyewear. I may or may not be working on something in that area.

What are three words that you feel define your personal style right now?

Moody, comfortable, and thoughtful. I don't necessarily mean comfortable just in clothing, like wearing sweats. I mean dressing in a way that feels right to me each day. Sometimes that's a short skirt, baggy jeans, or a sweatsuit. Thoughtful in the sense that I'm intentional about who I'm wearing, how it's made, and where I show up in the world wearing it.

Do you have style icons who really inform your style?

I'm in my Diane Keaton era right now. And RIP to her because she's one of the greats. I refuse to accept that she's gone, but her style lives on. My forever style icon, though, is Grace Jones. She is so fierce and fabulous. Her spirit makes everything she wears just so iconic. My third pick is Angela Davis. She's not usually discussed in terms of style, but she changed how we see women: Black women, smart women, feminist women. She made glasses cool again—a staple for activists—and her afro is just iconic.

You recently did a campaign with Allbirds. What inspired that collaboration?

This Allbirds campaign feels very authentic to me because I don't have the energy to prioritize style over comfort. I prefer waking up in the morning ready to tackle everything I want and need to do, but I want to do it comfortably. I want to feel good in my skin, and that's what this Allbirds campaign captures. We're showing these busy women on the go, achieving in various aspects of life, wearing shoes that are not only super comfortable and cute but also versatile enough to match everything. They eliminate the need to overthink outfits. I'm a big sneaker fan—I wear sneakers every day and wouldn't bother with heels unless paid. That's why this campaign resonates with me. I love a brand that prioritizes sustainability alongside style. In the campaign, I showcase two looks: one with baggy cargo pants, a long trench coat, and a button-up shirt; the other with a miniskirt and cute frilly socks. I felt comfortable in both. Women are multifaceted and dynamic, reflected in how we style ourselves daily.

What is the most sentimental item in your closet?

I just bought my most sentimental item: my first Rolex watch. I love it. It means a lot to me, and I’ve been wearing it every day since December.

What's one fashion rule you love breaking?

I really break all the rules. I don't even know what the fashion rules are anymore. I don't follow trends, but I try to keep up with Gen Z girls. Subliminally, I'm inspired or influenced by them. They give zero Fs when they get dressed, and it makes me feel like, Oh, maybe I can try that. You know, when you're getting ready and trying to put together your outfit, there's always that split second where you wonder, Should I go for this, or should I not? Usually, there’s a sense of fear there, but I think that feeling has gotten smaller as I've gotten older.

Is there a specific item in your closet that you're looking forward to wearing again this spring?

I live in L.A., so I don't dress seasonally because it feels like summer year-round. However, when I go to the East Coast, I look forward to pulling out my vintage trench coat.

Finish the following sentence: My home wouldn't be complete without ______.

My babies. Also, Gayle King sent me the RW Guild throw blanket, which is so soft and has become everyone in my home's favorite thing. It matches my house perfectly, which has a neutral, tonal color scheme with pops of color—especially from this mixed media artwork by Corey Pemberton, which my house also wouldn't be complete without. It's the centerpiece of our living space—what we look at while eating and talking. For technology, the Samsung Frame TV. It's a fun conversation starter because everyone thinks it's art at first. Lastly, our black Yamaha grand piano. I have a very musical family. My husband is a musician, and he does this thing called Piano and Prayer every Monday.

Where is your safe space? Where do you go when you need some time to yourself?

Airplanes are my sanctuary and my "me" time—where I can think clearly. I have some of my best thoughts and do some of my best work on them.

What's your favorite restaurant in your home city?

One of my favorite restaurants in L.A. is Jamaican Fiyah for authentic Jamaican food. However, the last standout dining experience I had was at International Smoke on the Embarcadero in San Francisco (Ayesha Curry’s restaurant). The cornbread served with red Thai curry butter is a must-order.

If you could get a vacation home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I've thought a lot about this, and right now, it's a tie between the Amalfi Coast and Tuscany. I went to Tuscany last summer, and I've never felt more peaceful, happier, or more joyful. It was truly the best experience. I would love to build a compound there—that would be my dream. The only thing holding me back from moving to Italy and making this dream come true is that I don't have a community there. I'd have to convince my whole group of friends to come with me, and then it would be really fun. In the U.S., my answer would be Martha's Vineyard. That's our happy place. We go every August.

What's one travel item you'll always pack with you?

My Allbirds sneakers. Ever since I shot the campaign, I've been wearing the Varsity Sneakers. They're airy, so you feel light on your feet, easy to pack, easy to bop around in, and go with everything. I'm in that era where I don't want to sacrifice comfort, and these shoes fit my lifestyle so well.

Is there an artist you are listening to on repeat right now?

This might sound like a shameless plug for my husband, but he's currently recording an album. All our friends jokingly call me Joe Jackson because I'm the type who, if you want to do something, I'll push you so hard—you’ll feel it. I'll be your biggest fan but also your biggest nuisance. I ask to hear every song, and I give notes, acting as the editor in chief of his projects. The songs are so good, and I'm so proud of him.

What's your comfort TV show?

The Morning Show—that's my jam. I will binge that show from start to finish. It reminds me of my newsroom days, even though I was a magazine journalist and not a news broadcaster, but there are similarities in the political dynamics.

For anyone who hasn't read your memoir yet, why should they pick up More Than Enough?

Pick it up if you're at an inflection point in your career and need inspiration or a nudge to pursue the next chapter of your dreams. The world tells you to focus on one big dream, and you'd better not fail at it. But the message of this book is that life is made up of a series of dreams realized, and you're allowed to dream as many different dreams as you want and go after them. It's really about the sequence of dreaming and taking those chances on yourself that helps you become who you're meant to be. When you hold yourself back by sticking to a single dream or identity, you stop growing. Also, read it because I'm writing another one, so you should have the backstory and be able to dive right into the next one.

Were there any other written works that inspired you while you were writing yours?

Becoming was a real inspiration. Michelle Obama is my icon, and I appreciate how candid she was and how personal and deep she went in her quest to convey these broader, universal lessons that are inspiring, motivating, and make us feel more connected and less alone. It gave me permission to do the same.

Any podcasts we should be listening to?

I'm now a full-blown boy mom, so my podcast choices are very diverse. For any moms out there in the car with their kids who need something to keep them entertained, I've been listening to a podcast called Smarty Pants. It takes questions from little kids and then goes into 15-minute, entertaining deep dives into random topics and the questions kids have. I end up learning a lot. I'm also into Adventures of Cairo for my kids. That's like a little narrative podcast for children. I recently binge-listened to Confessions of a Female Founder by Meghan Markle, who is a really good interviewer. Meghan Markle isn't a journalist, but she has excellent reporting instincts; she asks the right questions and pulls out great stories. Another podcast I enjoy is House Guest. You know how people ask, "Who are the five people you'd want to sit with for dinner—dead or alive?" It's that kind of idea in a podcast. You get to be at the dinner table or have drinks with someone you've always wanted to but probably never will. And it feels like you're laughing with them. It's really well-produced.

What's something that's underrated?

Being comfortable. I didn't appreciate it in my 20s, but now, in my 30s, I understand the power of prioritizing your comfort. And from there, all the great things follow—like confidence and a sense of ease in how you move through the world.

What's the best piece of parenting advice you have received?

Sleep train your kids. You'll enjoy parenting much more when you're well-rested and have a clear mind. You have to go through sleep training to get to the other side, and you might think your kids will hate you for it or that it will cause issues like attachment problems. But they won’t remember it, and ultimately, they will thank you because their development benefits from it. They grow while they sleep, and they need to learn how to stay asleep, just as you need to continue functioning in the world. I had to learn this a second time. The first time, I was a drill sergeant about sleep training, preaching it loudly. But then, with my second baby, I totally caved. I let the baby sleep in my bed and got totally attached. Going more than a year without sleep is a very bad idea—for everyone involved. Recently, we've found that the more we let him learn how to cry and find ways to cope and self-soothe, the longer he can stay asleep, and the quicker he can put himself back to sleep next time. As a result, we're all much happier as a family.

What's a luxury you refuse to give up?

Virgin margaritas. Sometimes you want a cute drink when you're out with the girlies, but you don't want to wake up feeling terrible the next day. I bet other moms can agree that a hangover isn't worth it.

What's one piece of advice you have for women in 2026?

Maintain a playful spirit in everything you do. It brings a lightness, and people prefer to work with those who are having fun and doing what they love.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

The cover star of Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Elle, W, and countless other magazines worldwide. The face of campaigns for Chloé, Ferragamo, Gucci, Miu Miu, Tory Burch, and Valentino. A graduate of the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London with a degree in classical theater and an acting debut as the leading lady in Sean Baker's 2012 Starlet, followed by roles in Alex Ross Perry's Listen Up Philip and Noah Baumbach's While We're Young. These are just a few of the highlights from Dree Hemingway's career thus far.

Adding to her impressive résumé, the Sun Valley, Idaho-raised, Los Angeles– and Rome-based actress is currently playing Daryl Hannah in Ryan Murphy's long-awaited series Love Story alongside Paul Kelly as John F. Kennedy Jr. and Sarah Pidgeon as Carolyn Bessette Kennedy, which recently premiered on February 12. Her next performance will be in The Girl, a film that examines Roman Polanski's abuse scandal through the perspective of the victim, Samantha Geimer. It is the feature writing and directing debut of French filmmaker Marina Ziolkowski.

If her well-known last name looks familiar, it's because she's the great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway himself (and the daughter of actress Mariel Hemingway and businessman Stephen Crisman)—the subject of The Hemingway Files, an upcoming film she's executive-producing. The project is a candid portrayal of the final years of his life, including his struggles with mental health, his complicated relationship with his daughter Gloria, and his paranoia-induced belief that J. Edgar Hoover and the FBI were watching him.

Over our video call, Dree's easygoing, fun-loving energy is quickly apparent. She has that "lit from within" quality, and the same warmth comes through in a scroll of her Instagram. She comes across as glamorous yet grounded, confident yet approachable, well-traveled, stylish, and uninhibited.

Below, take a look into the world of the actress, model, and soon-to-be producer.

You started your career in modeling. When do you feel like acting became serious for you, or was that always the goal?

I always wanted to be an actress. I felt like I actually started modeling because, in my mind, it was an exploration of character. It was kind of like an intro into the acting world when I felt like I wasn't ready to be an actress quite yet. I feel like you have to draw on life experiences to better a character on-screen. I had been a ballet dancer, so it felt like a natural path toward the acting world. But I mean, acting has been my dream forever. As long as I can remember, I was like, "I'm gonna be an actress."

Between going to school for acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and landing your first role in a Sean Baker film, was there an experience from either that shaped you early on?

I feel like working with Sean was a really magical and unique introduction to the acting world. It was very improv-heavy but also so character-driven. It was such a guerrilla-style project, and to this day, it's one of my favorite things I've ever done because it really made me fall in love with this industry beyond anything else, and it solidified that this is exactly what I want to do and need to be doing in my life. I also grew up watching Turner Classic Movies, and I feel like women like Katharine Hepburn and the leading ladies in Hitchcock films were really why I wanted to be an actress. There's elegance but also such power in these women. I really fell in love with Old Hollywood. I think we're in a different era today, but I still think that essence exists in some way.

With Love Story, how did you get into the role? Do you have a standout memory from being on set?

In terms of getting into the role, it was mostly interviews. There were a couple of different interviews I would quickly watch to ground myself in it. But my favorite thing on set was just being with everybody. I think every set is special, but this one, in particular, was incredible because I really loved everyone. It's a beautiful machine unlike anything I've ever experienced, and I really enjoyed working with everyone. Jesse Peretz specifically was so magical. And then Jason McCormick, the DP, was really fun to work with. It's like a dance, and you can just feel that he's creating something amazing.

You're also producing The Hemingway Files. Is there any part of your great-grandfather's legacy or stories you've heard about his personality that you feel like you relate to or see in yourself?

One-hundred percent. I feel like he was a people person and really enjoyed being around strangers and hearing their stories, and I'm very much that person too. I like talking to the people I'm working with and knowing what's going on with them. I'm very curious about that. He also loved to travel and loved nature. I remember the first time I went to Africa and thinking, "Oh, I get it. This runs through our blood."

I would love to know three words that you feel define your personal style right now.

I think my personal style right now is very '90s and minimal. I don't like to overthink things. I want to just throw things on. If I'm wearing a pattern, I pair it with something simple. If I'm wearing something colorful, everything else needs to be undone. There has to be a juxtaposition. I never like to be over-the-top. At the same time, I like making bold statements that surprise people. But overall, I think I've consistently, my whole life, been a little more grounded in the way I dress.

Do you have style icons who really inform your style?

I feel like Gwyneth Paltrow in the '90s is kind of a style icon of mine and Julia Roberts too. I also feel like Katharine Hepburn is a huge style icon for me. She wore pantsuits in such an elegant way, but there was also an androgynous side that I really enjoy. Who else? I think my style is very intuitive. There can be someone or something I've seen that inspires me, but there's always my own take. Lauren Hutton is a huge style icon for me as well. I like when it's playful, undone, but with a splash of something unexpected. For hair and makeup, I can't really do over-the-top. I've tried, and it looks cool, but it really becomes a character thing.

What would you say is the most sentimental item in your closet?

I have a Tiffany's watch that was either my Aunt Margot's or my mother's, and it's falling apart. It has a black strap, and I keep trying to push it down. I keep taking it in to get it fixed. It's very sentimental to me. It's funny because I love things, and I have a lot of things, but I feel like memories and the people around me are more important than the objects themselves. I do have a sweater that I wear every time I travel, which was my father's. It's falling apart, and I kind of look like a ratty sack bag, but it's become a habit, and I could never give it away even though I'll probably stop wearing it at some point. The sleeves are ripping, and I keep getting them sewn, so now, it's starting to look a little wild.

What would you say is your most repurchased beauty product?

There's this brand called Mimoh by Dr. Ellie, who's a Korean acupuncturist. It's a PDRN spray and cream, and I've seen the most change in my skin with that. Then there's another brand called Osmosis. I take two vitamins from them that help with hormonal and environmental changes. It's all-natural and called Skin Defense, and it's kept me from breaking out completely.

Are there any other products that you're loyal to?

Have you seen Bonjout? It's a cream that I really love. I also use Kosas concealer, and my go-to is the Super Tinted Hydrator from U Beauty. If I need more coverage, I'll layer it, but normally, that's just what I put on for daytime. For cheek tint, I use the Merit one in Rouge.

Do you have a go-to lip liner?

I really like the Saie Beauty in Twist.

What about a nail polish color you're always getting or coming back to?

I feel like it's Mademoiselle. I've been craving going red for months now, but when I was on set, I could never do red. Then, I keep doing shoots, and they want natural colors, so I can't do red. But I really love a cherry cherry.

Do you have a favorite one? I feel like a lot of people have their one red polish.

It's called Big Apple Red. Then there's another one—Ferrari red… Or is it Lamborghini? It's a really aggressive poppy, but I really like it because it has orange undertones.

You grew up in Idaho. I've never been—how do you usually describe it when people ask, "What's it like growing up in Idaho"?

It's beautiful. I grew up in a ski town. I call it a less-bougie Aspen situation. It's nice, but people are still wearing their Patagonias and hiking boots. It's not a fashion thing at all. A lot of Old Hollywood would vacation there in the 1950s, and they even had a train from Los Angeles up to Sun Valley. It's where the first chairlift ever was. It's very green. It's a valley, so it sits between mountains, and it's stunning. My whole heart and soul is there, and I don't think I fully appreciated it as much growing up. Now, I just cherish everything that it is, and I'm so grateful that I was able to grow up there. Winter is really beautiful, but in the summers, there are lakes, rivers, and hiking, and it's so lush.

What's your number one Idaho recommendation?

There's Craters of the Moon, which is really funny. It's all this volcanic rock. Then you go down into it, which is very entertaining. Redfish Lake is gorgeous. I'd also recommend hiking there. That's a great spot. And my favorite, favorite, favorite restaurant for Thai food is a place called Rickshaw.

You split your time between L.A. and Rome. Do you have a favorite restaurant in each place?

Maybe Damian for Mexican food downtown. It's like heaven. Oh, and there's a restaurant in Rome called Pierluigi, which is my favorite—expensive but so good. In L.A., Speranza. It's a cheap Italian spot, but it's so yummy. I like a character-filled restaurant that feels homey and cozy.

If you could bring one thing from L.A. to Rome and vice versa, what would it be?

There's this desk sewing table that I found. It was in a secondhand store. It's by Ponti, who's like the creator of mid-century modern, and I got it for next to nothing. I would love to bring it here, but it really needs to stay there. I also have really good rugs and really good art out there.

Do you have a favorite family ritual that you do?

My dad passed away, and his birthday was on Christmas Eve, so every year on Christmas Eve, we eat his favorite meal. I don't really eat meat, but I have steak every year with mashed potatoes on his birthday. It's really fun and really celebratory [with] a really good glass of red wine. I think that's my favorite tradition.

What music do you have on repeat right now?

Rosalía.

Letterboxd top four?

The Fifth Element, Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, The Philadelphia Story, and Spirited Away.

Is there a film or book that you feel like really changed you?

Yes, you know what? I don't know if it changed me, but watching Pride and Prejudice, I was like, "Why am I not British and living in the countryside during this time period?" All of the Jane Austen books and films had that effect on me. … I remember watching Sophie's Choice. Again, it didn't change me, but it devastated me to the point where I was like, "Wow." At the same time, it's exquisite acting. It's a hard movie, but just… wow.

Favorite book?

The Catcher in the Rye is one of my favorites. There's Autobiography of a Yogi that I really love.

One etiquette rule that you follow?

Please and thank you. Kindness.

Is there a trend right now that you will not participate in that you feel strongly like is not for you?

Um, yeah. Some of the 2000s trends, like low-rise jeans. I attempted to get back into that again, but I don't know if it's for me. I'm not sure I can pull it off.

What is the best parenting advice that you've gotten?

I think the best parenting advice is to be present—be present with your child. Also, try not to overreact because kids have no control over their emotions.

Is there one piece of advice from either of your parents that you feel like you think about a lot or that you feel is a defining thing for you.

My mom always used to say, "Pretty is as pretty does," meaning that it's not just about outer beauty. It's really about internal kindness. That's something I hope to instill in my daughter.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

There's a quiet authority June Ambrose carries. Not everyone knows that she is the name behind many iconic red carpet, music video, and celebrity style moments, but fashion-industry insiders are well aware. The legendary stylist, costume designer, and creative director has entered a chapter defined less by proximity to power and more by intention. It's a level of clarity that only comes with the knowledge, experience, and self-trust she's earned over the years in this industry.

For Ambrose, success has never been about doing everything at once. It's about discernment—knowing when to lean into work, when to protect her energy, and when to prioritize family. "Work/life balance is a constant balancing act, not a fixed formula," she explains. "Different seasons require different priorities, and that's okay." That philosophy extends to her most recent project, a collaboration with Naturalizer that challenges the long-standing trade-off between comfort and style. Rooted in what she calls Style-letics, the collection fuses fashion, movement, and culture and is designed for women who live in multiple modes and refuse to shrink themselves into just one box.

Her world is one shaped by fearless style and deep intention, informed by icons like Grace Jones and Donna Summer, and guided by a belief that fashion is communication. It's also deeply personal, and this current era of individuality-first style was made for her. From the career lessons she's passing down to her daughter to the pieces in her closet she hopes will one day become heirlooms, Ambrose's approach to style—and life—is about legacy, not noise. Ahead, she opens up about the creative instincts that define her, the moments that shaped her career, and why true power should always feel like freedom.

Tell me what work/life balance looks like to you. How do you juggle family, yourself, and having a successful career?

I stay grounded by being intentional with my time, protecting my energy, and knowing when to lean into work and when to lean into family or myself. Creativity thrives when my life feels full, not depleted.

To me, real success isn't doing everything at once. It's building a career that works with your life, not against it. Balance is grace, flexibility, and giving yourself permission to define success on your own terms.

How do you want to define your 2026 era?

Power with purpose.

My 2026 era is about intentional power—moving with clarity, confidence, and purpose. It's a season of refinement, where I'm expanding into new categories and aligning with partners who truly understand my vision and values.

It's less about doing more and more about doing what matters—designing work and a life that feels strong, elevated, and sustainable.

What project that you've worked on recently do you want us to know about?

Honestly, this Naturalizer collaboration feels like the most sincere work I've done in a long time. I wasn't interested in creating another shoe moment. I wanted to challenge a mindset. Naturalizer already spoke fluent comfort. They've been doing that for nearly 100 years. I came in to remix it, to push it louder, faster, further through my lens of high-fashion, street, and music culture.

This project is about saying something very clearly: Comfort isn't a bonus anymore. It's the baseline. Uncomfortable shoes are just rude, and women are done negotiating with pain in the name of style. This collection is fashion that understands movement. It moves like sport, looks like fashion, and feels like a revelation.

What served as the inspiration behind this collection?

The inspiration was real life. Women don't live in one lane. We exist in multiple modes all at once. Every day is a sport, yet our shoes have been stuck choosing sides for too long.

I call this idea Style-letics. It's the new choreography of fashion—the fusion of culture, movement, and identity. These aren't dress shoes pretending to be athletic. They're fashion pieces that understand how women actually move through the world. We brought performance-level cushioning into silhouettes you wouldn't expect because style shouldn't fight you. It should flex with you.

And I love that this conversation is multigenerational. My daughter and I can wear the same styles differently, authentically. That's the future. Comfort as a birthright. Style with permission.

Describe the dream woman you want to slip into these shoes.

I always start with the woman: where she's going, what she's doing, and how she wants to feel when she shows up. These shoes are for women who can lead a meeting, walk 10 blocks, dance all night, and still want to make a statement without saying a word.

She doesn't apologize for herself, and neither should her shoes. She understands that style doesn't have to hurt to be powerful. Every shoe in this collection is a punctuation mark. It helps tell her story. Whether she's 25 or 55, she's moving through life with intention, confidence, and momentum. These shoes meet her there.

What was your first job in fashion?

It was as a costume designer for a musician. I don't really think my time in theater doing period pieces would count as fashion, but now that I write that, one would say that Donna Karan's draping was inspired by Greek gods. Antigone was my first.

What look that you styled are you most proud of?

I would have to say it was a look that I designed for Missy Elliott—the infamous shiny blow-up suit for her "The Rain" music video It was the beginning of me playing with augmented reality before AI.

What's something you wish you knew at the beginning of your career?

I wish I knew that my point of view was the product, not my proximity to power.

Do you have any mantras right now in relation to personal or career development?

My mantra right now is,

"Style is communication.

"Clarity is my superpower.

"My instincts are informed by experience.

"Taste is intelligence.

"Consistency builds trust. Intention builds legacy."

What advice do you give your daughter in the career space?

I tell my daughter to build herself before she builds a career. I want her to know that her voice, her values, and her boundaries matter just as much as her talent. Skills can be taught. Character, discernment, and self-trust are built. I remind her that she doesn't have to rush to prove anything. Timing is part of strategy.

Define your personal style right now in three words.

Sporty, sophisticated, fearless.

Where does your incredible sense of style come from?

My sense of style comes from my love of image-making and storytelling. I've always approached fashion as a way to build characters and create narratives using clothes to express mood, power, humor, and identity. Style, for me, isn't just about what you wear; it's about the story you're telling before you even speak.

Are there any fashion icons that you've always looked up to?

Donna Summer didn't just define disco. She created a visual language of confidence, sensuality, and liberation.

Yayoi Kusama: art, fashion, and self-image as immersive culture.

Megan Rapinoe—androgyny, confidence, and cultural defiance.

Venus Williams pioneered style freedom in women's tennis.

Grace Jones shattered gender norms and defined power dressing with a future-forward edge that still informs fashion, sport, and performance culture.

Jane Birkin created a timeless language of ease, proving that authenticity, simplicity, and sensuality never go out of style.

Lauren Hutton changed the idea of perfection, introducing ease, individuality, and confidence as the ultimate luxury.

How has your style evolved since the beginning of your career?

My style has evolved the same way I have—through growth, confidence, and self-trust. Early in my career, style was about making a statement and commanding attention. Now, it's about clarity and intention, knowing exactly who I am and dressing in a way that reflects that without explanation.

Today, my style is more refined but still fearless. I'm less interested in trends and more focused on timeless pieces that move with my life. It's still expressive, still playful, still rule breaking—but grounded in experience, freedom, and a deeper understanding of my own power.

Is there anything you're still wearing that you've had since day one?

Yes, a Gucci pinstripe suit, big glasses, Birkins, and a Barry Kieselstein-Cord alligator belt.

Do you have a least favorite fashion trend?

I don't really believe in least favorite trends. I believe in misalignment. Anything that asks women to shrink themselves, sacrifice comfort, or dress for approval instead of self-expression isn't for me. Style should feel empowering and authentic. If it doesn't feel like you, it's okay to leave it behind.

If you could trade closets with one celebrity just for a day, living or dead, who would it be?

Teyana Taylor.

What was your first statement-making hat, and how did you become known for this iconic accessory?

Wow, that's a tough one. I've been wearing hats for so long, but I did fall in love with Stephen Jones's avant-garde hats years ago.

If someone is looking to expand their hat collection, where would you suggest they go first?

I love hats from Esenshel, Eric Javits, Eugenia Kim, and Gigi Burris.

How do you store all of your fabulous hats?

I build additional storage cabinets for them in my home and hat boxes in storage.

What's one piece in your closet you'd like to pass down to your daughter some day?

One of my Hermès Kelly bags.

Where is your safe space?

Home.

What was the experience like finding your current home?

I've lived in the same condo building for 28 years, so I didn't have to look far when I wanted a bigger place.

You travel often for work. What's the one hotel that feels like a home away from home?

L'Ermitage Hotel in Beverly Hills.

What's your favorite restaurant in your home city?

ABCV [in New York City].

If you could get a vacation home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Antigua, my birthplace.

What does the perfect workspace look like to you?

My perfect workspace is calm, curated, and purposeful.

I like a mix of beauty and function—art that tells a story, books that hold history, textures that feel lived-in. The space has to reflect where I've been and where I'm going. It should feel elevated but human, polished but warm.

Who is an artist you know personally who you actually listen to nonstop?

Beyoncé.

Are there any binge-worthy shows you haven't been able to stop watching lately?

The Pitt.

Is there something in your queue that you're looking forward to watching, reading, or listening to that you haven't gotten to yet?

I also have the Battle of Versailles documentary queued up.

I've been meaning to revisit archival runway films, specifically Yohji Yamamoto, Comme des Garçons, early Jean Paul Gaultier.

Where do you gather inspiration from when it comes to the work that you do?

My inspiration comes from real life—always. I pay attention to how people move through the world. Style on the street, body language, how confidence shows up before words do. Culture tells you everything if you're willing to observe and dream with your eyes open.

Any good reads?

Grace: A Memoir by Grace Coddington

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

Are any fashion trends from 2025 that are canceled?

Ripped skinny jeans, tie-dye.

What's the best way to spend a Valentine's Day single?

Gals' night out!

What's one styling rule that everyone should abide by?

Fit is nonnegotiable. You can wear the simplest pieces in the world, but if they don't fit your body, your lifestyle, and the moment you're walking into, the look won't land. Tailoring, proportion, and intention matter more than labels or trends.

What's your love language?

I respond deeply to acts of care—someone anticipating a need, creating ease, or holding space without being asked. That tells me I'm seen.

At this stage of my life, love looks like consistency, consideration, and calm. Loud gestures fade. Presence lasts.

What's something that's overrated and something that's underrated?

Overrated: being everywhere.

Underrated: being consistent.

What's the best gift for you to give and to receive?

To give: thoughtfulness. Something chosen with care—an experience, a book, a note, anything that says, "I see you."

To receive: time and presence. Undivided attention, follow-through, and effort, that's the real luxury.

What do you want people to take away from an interaction with you?

I want people to walk away feeling my authentic intelligence, that curiosity, intuition, and lived experience are my superpower.

Shop June Ambrose's Naturalizer Collection

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers; their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, and fashion finds; etiquette rules they stand by; and so much more.

Innovative, savvy, trailblazing, and creative—these words only begin to capture the essence of Lauren Ratner. This probably isn't surprising when you consider that Ratner is the brand builder of her generation. She cofounded Rhode, beauty's buzziest business, in 2022 alongside her husband, Michael D. Ratner, and founder, Hailey Bieber, and in a move that dominated headlines, the brand was acquired by e.l.f. Beauty for $1 billion (the fastest beauty brand to exit to $1 billion in history). Insert mic drop here. Well, actually not. There's more to say.

Ratner's success didn't just start with Rhode. She also worked at other major brands, including Michael Kors and Reformation, and even launched her own company, LER Consulting. Oh, it's also worth noting that she accomplished all of this before turning 35 and was included on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2020.

Rhode expanded into Sephora this fall in the U.S. and the UK with a record-breaking debut (more on that later), and throughout all of this, Ratner announced her pregnancy! Ratner is doing it, and her world is nothing short of inspiring.

Below, Ratner shares more about her life as the marketing It girl. Step into Ratner's world.

Can you briefly explain your career journey to where you are now, founding and leading one of the biggest names in beauty?

My background has always been in brand building, marketing, and working directly with founders to bring their vision to life and into a commercial product. Storytelling has always been a deep passion of mine and an important part of my career journey—how you communicate an idea through creative visuals, innovative content, and thoughtful product messaging. This is a big part of how we built Rhode and what I focus on today in my role.

Previously, I've worked at both larger, more established companies like Michael Kors and high-growth startups like Reformation, which has given me a breadth of experience and helped me hone different skill sets that I've been able to apply to my journey at Rhode.

How did you initially start working with Hailey Bieber, and what is that relationship like?

I met Hailey through my husband, Michael, who had worked with her and Justin [Bieber] on his documentary series, Seasons. At the time, Hailey was exploring the idea of starting a skincare line, and we began having conversations around what Rhode could look like. From the beginning, I quickly understood her vision and realized that we spoke the same visual language, which allowed us to form a really collaborative, creative partnership. We started building the world of Rhode from there.

Both Hailey and I are not from a traditional beauty background, so Rhode was inspired by sources outside of the industry, like fashion, architecture, and travel. We approached building the world of Rhode with more of a fashion lens, which felt fresh in the beauty industry and didn't follow any kind of playbook. Instead, we used our intuition and gut feeling on what felt right. We still do today!

Give us a peek into your world. What does a typical day in the life look like for you?

A typical day starts with coffee in the morning with my husband. We talk about our days and what we have coming up. It's my favorite part of my day! Then I'm off to the office for a full day of meetings. I spend a lot of time with our marketing, retail, creative, and product-development teams planning our upcoming calendar and working through launch strategies. Creative brainstorming meetings with my team, where we bounce ideas off each other and I get to spend time pulling references from Pinterest (my favorite thing to do), are the most fun part of my day.

Being nine months pregnant, my routine after work is pretty different right now from my typical evenings and involves mostly coming straight home from the office to eat dinner and watch Bravo on the couch. Prepregnancy, you would find me at a work event or eating dinner out with friends and a margarita. Looking forward to bringing that back!

E.l.f. acquired Rhode for $1 billion in a landmark deal. What did this accomplishment mean to you and the team?

Over the past five years, we've been deeply focused on building, shaping and scaling the world of Rhode, and this journey has been one of the best experiences of my life. As the business grew and our vision expanded, we recognized the importance of finding the right partner to help us bring the brand to more places and take Rhode to the next level. We found that partner in e.l.f. Beauty, giving us the support we need to continue scaling globally and to create more innovative products while staying true to our brand and community.

Rhode also launched in Sephora this fall. Was landing in Sephora always a goal for you and Bieber? What did this huge accomplishment mean to you?

Launching into retail and giving our consumers the ability to touch and play with our products IRL has always been on our dream board! From the beginning, we knew that building a strong direct-to-consumer business was key. We built the world of Rhode by listening to our community and creating products and immersive experiences that truly resonated with them.

As we continued to grow, we saw the global appetite for the brand expand and knew we needed the right retail partner to help us reach more people. Sephora has always been the beauty destination to us. They value founder spirit and wanted us to bring our Rhode brand expression fully into their stores. Watching the overwhelming response to Rhode launching at Sephora has been incredible over the last couple months. I still can't believe it every time I walk into a Sephora store and see our display. It's a dream come true.

What's next for you and Rhode?

I'm about to have my first baby, so I will be in the newborn bubble for the next few months and cannot wait! I feel super lucky that he is coming around the holidays, so I get to have my first Christmas as a mom. :) As for Rhode, we are really focused on successfully launching into retail with Sephora in the U.S., Canada, and, most recently, the UK and continuing to put out products, experiences, and campaigns that the Rhode community hopefully loves. There are some exciting things on the horizon. Stay tuned!

Do you have a daily uniform? What does it consist of?

I wouldn't say I have a daily uniform but often gravitate to many of the same brands that I love and silhouettes that I find the most flattering. Each season, I'll invest in a few new pieces to update my wardrobe. They are seasonal takes on the classics that help me build a capsule wardrobe for the season ahead, like a great satin jacket from Toteme or a plaid trench or canvas utility jacket from The Row. I love to be playful with my accessories and add a statement shoe that adds a new texture or color for the season. My current go-tos are calf-hair flats from The Row and a pair of mesh mules from Alaïa—versatile yet a fun addition to a simple look and pregnancy-friendly!

My daily work wardrobe is really shaped by my schedule and meetings. Early in the week, when I tend to have more external-facing meetings, I gravitate toward a sharper, more tailored aesthetic. Think oversize shirting paired with sleek trousers or a long skirt or a matching blazer-and-miniskirt set with a low heel. Khaite makes amazing workwear—they are investment pieces but super versatile and a great go-to for when I go straight from meetings and out to dinner! On days in the office with my internal team, my style relaxes into something more laid-back but still intentional. I'm usually in low-rise vintage Levi's that I pick up from Varsity in L.A. or a cute jacket paired with loafers. During my pregnancy, I have been wearing a pair of stretchy cropped black capri pants with an oversize leather jacket on repeat.

But I really love nighttime and event dressing the most because you can have more fun with it! I'll always opt for a minidress with texture like velvet or sequins, a chic menswear-inspired suit, or a longer formal dress with an interesting detail like an oversize bow. I haven't been able to do much event dressing lately, so I'm excited to get back to this post-pregnancy. On the weekends, I am exclusively in sweats!

Do you steal inspiration from Bieber? Any favorite looks she's worn recently?

I loved all the looks from our trip to NYC in September to launch Sephora in the U.S., especially the vintage Donna Karan set she wore for the curtain drop in Times Square. Love that the color was in our Rhode-gray world!

Has your style changed since becoming pregnant?

I have really tried to stay true to my normal sense of style and not buy a whole new maternity wardrobe. But dressing for the bump has definitely pushed me away from more fitted styles toward looser silhouettes. [I] need to be comfy at all times! During the summer, I had fun with oversize sheer shirting layered with a bandeau and lived in a white Chloé baby-doll dress. For fall, oversize jackets have felt easy and effortless while still looking put-together. It's been a nice way to stay true to my style—just with more comfort! My heel height has definitely come down too. These days, I'm living in flip-flops (it's still hot in L.A.) and ballet flats. That said, I'm already looking forward to bringing back the heels!

What's a cheap-thrill fashion item you love?

I'm obsessed with vintage oversize clip-on gold earrings. They're the kind of piece that instantly transforms and elevates even the simplest outfit, and I love that each pair tells its own story. Whenever I travel, I make a point of buying a few pairs from the city I am in. The flea markets in Paris and L.A. are a treasure trove for unique designs, and there's something so special about collecting these from different corners of the world. There are also amazing pairs on Etsy that are super easy to scoop up!

What's your favorite investment piece in your wardrobe?

I just got my first Hermès piece, a vintage mini Kelly from the '90s. My husband surprised me with it for my birthday, and it's so special to me.

Any new items you're eyeing for fall?

The Chloé Paddington Bag. It reminds me of growing up in London in the early 2000s when the boho-chic trend was huge. My best friend had an original bag in cream. I can't wait to get my hands on the new version in black or dark brown or a vintage version that's in great shape. It's a blast from the past in the best way. I love to see fashion coming through the trend cycle.

Favorite Rhode products?

I really use all of them daily, but my favorites are Glazing Milk and Pocket Blush. I'm more of a beauty minimalist, and both of these products are so multitasking and versatile. I use Glazing Milk instead of skin makeup most days and throw on Pocket Blush for a little color to wake my skin up before leaving the house. I also love Barrier Butter—I slather it all over my face to go to bed and love that my skin still looks glowy when I wake up in the morning.

What is your favorite room in your house, and why?

Historically, our kitchen has been my favorite room in our house. Every morning, my husband and I have coffee at our kitchen nook and talk about the day ahead. But we just finished our nursery, and that may now take the top spot. It's super neutral and cozy. I'm going to hang out in there a lot.

You have a dream closet. What's your favorite part of your closet?

Thank you, my closet is truly my happy place! It's such a fun space to be creative that I have all to myself—whether I'm trying on outfits, experimenting with new materials or silhouettes, or just taking photos before heading out for the night. It's a little world of my own, a room where I can play and curate. It's hard not to spend a little extra time there just enjoying it. It's truly one of my favorite spaces in the house.

Do you have a favorite hotel when you're traveling on vacation?

When I'm traveling for vacation, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat is amazing in the South of France or anywhere in Capri. It's my favorite place on Earth! The food, the town, an Aperol spritz, and the open-top cabs—can't wait to get back there soon.

Favorite restaurant in your home base of L.A.? Favorite restaurant in NYC?

[I] love any and all Italian food, so in L.A., I love Giorgio Baldi, Il Segreto, and Funke. I also just tried Sonny's pizza. Right now, it's a preorder service where you order the pie at noon and pick it up that night. It tasted like really good East Coast pizza! Breakfast burritos in L.A. are also hard to beat—love Wake and Late, Leora, and Sobuneh.

In NYC, I love old favorites like Bar Pitti, Raoul's, and Lilia for special occasions. One of my favorite things about NYC is that there is also always a new, buzzy restaurant opening, and I love trying a new place every time I'm in the city. My husband and I just tried The Eighty Six a couple weeks ago, which was really fun. [I] loved the Wagyu cheesesteak.

What are you listening to? Favorite album right now?

I actually love listening to old house music from the 2000/2010s. I grew up listening to it in London, so it's nostalgic for me and makes me reminisce. I also love Fred Again!

Any TV shows you're bingeing?

I have always loved sports documentaries and the story of the real people behind the sport. I recently binged America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and every season of Formula 1: Drive to Survive—two of my faves.

Biggest pet peeve?

Driving in L.A.

What's one life rule you live by?

Stay curious.

Any advice you wish you had when you embarked on this venture of cofounding a now billion-dollar business?

Building a business from the ground up and doing anything for the first time comes with twists and turns. Every challenge is part of the journey, and it's those experiences that shape the business, your brand, and you in the end.

What's one piece of advice you will now give budding entrepreneurs?

Career paths are not linear. I have had different jobs across various industries (I actually started my career in finance!) in both small and big companies. I learned important lessons in each of these roles that I took forward and ultimately were important in shaping my ability to help build Rhode. I think realizing that your first or second or even third job doesn't have to be your dream job. You just need to start somewhere and soak up everything you can to take on your journey.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

The year was 2007. Images of a then fairly unknown Brit appeared in blog posts online and the pages of magazines. She was attending Glastonbury Music Festival clad in a leather motorcycle jacket, striped tee, denim shorts, and tight over-the-knee boots. She appeared seemingly out of nowhere and quickly took hold of the zeitgeist in a way that could only really happen in the mid-2000s. Her name was Alexa Chung and her je ne sais quoi was as difficult to put your finger on as it was influential.

For many of us, the first "style icon" who ever held influence over us was none other than Chung. Long before the social media algorithms or Pinterest boards, there was a little website called Tumblr.com, where you would search for and collect fashion and cultural inspiration, and Chung was its reigning queen supreme.

Flash forward to the present day, and Chung is the multi-hyphenate supreme, floating effortlessy between creative pursuits and deftly defying any single concrete label. On the one hand, she's a published author. Her coffee table book, It, comprised of personal writings, drawings, and photographs, was published in 2014, and she's a regular contributor to the Financial Times. But she's also a model, having walked recent runways for Chloé and Miu Miu, and when she's not modeling, she's seated front row at their shows. And lest we forget she's a designer in her own right, too, having helmed her eponymous ready-to-wear label from 2017 to 2022, and she is currently collaborating with Madewell on her third capsule collection for the brand.

Ahead, Chung shares more about her career journey that led her to the ultimate It-girl title, her perpetually sold-out collaboration Madewell, where she likes to spend her rare downtime while at home in London, and so much more. Step into Chung's world.

You’ve worn so many hats over the years, from your design and business ventures to being a published author. I'm sure it's impossible to choose, but if you had to drop everything to focus on one thing, what would it be?

I'd love to be a creative director because that job encompasses everything. I do enjoy design, but I also love art direction and thinking about how people wear the clothes and the life that they live. Storytelling is quite important to me, so I enjoy all of that. You get to do the copywriting for the website, but you also get to seed out the gifting and think about strategy with influencers. And you're doing design and styling and campaign imagery—you're at the top of the funnel.

You've just launched the third installment of your collection for Madewell. What were some of the references on your mood board when designing this one?

I wanted it to be a lot more personal and a celebration of my own wardrobe and personal style. I had this amazing image on my mood board of Fran Lebowitz, who's obviously an iconic New York character. There's an amazing image of her on a white sofa or armchair at an Oscars party, and to me, it evoked the exact atmosphere and feeling that I was trying to create in this collection, which is that sort of holiday-season party where you're dressed up. In this particular photo, she's wearing a tuxedo, but our response to it, I made a tuxedo jumpsuit, which I really love because it's casual but also dressed-up.

If you could only buy one piece this latest drop, which would it be?

I would get the Ronnie Leather Fringe Jacket. I personally find that one irresistible. It's really good, and it's just going to get better with age.

What is one item on your shopping list at the moment?

I love shoes at the moment that are almond-toe mini heels, like a modern take on an '80s heel. I love that you can wear that with thick socks, and you feel quite put-together, even if you're in denim and a sweatshirt. An unexpected colored sock and then those little '80s shoes would look so cute.

What would you say is the most quintessentially British thing about your wardrobe?

It's that I've got more outerwear and coats than I have anything else. There's actually a real problem in terms of space versus reality. Even though I have a wardrobe, I have a rolling rack of just coats because I don't have enough space. I love outerwear so much, so I think that's the tell that I'm a Brit because I'm really committed to surviving all weather and still going outside. I won't take the cab. I'll walk to the tube regardless.

You’ve worn so many iconic looks over the years. Is there one that you look back on fondly? What’s the story behind how it came to life?

The first one that comes to mind is the Loewe silk dress with the trompe l'oeil trench coat printed onto it. I just want to own that, and [after I borrowed it to wear to the 2023 British Vogue Forces for Change party], the courier came to pick it up at 9 a.m. the next morning, like Cinderella, and I just think about it all the time. I think I'd wear it all the time.

Many consider you a style icon, but who would you say are your own style icons?

I think Fran Lebowitz for sticking to her guns and wearing just one look essentially. Then, there's this brand in Paris called Husbands that does men's tailoring. The designer and owner, Nicolas Gabard, is the chicest man in the world. And then, I love Mrs. Prada. I mean, still keeping us on our toes, like when she came out to take a bow [at the end of the Prada spring/summer 2026 show] and was wearing a silk shawl. And then I do find myself looking at old pictures of Lee Radziwill, especially when she's in her 40s or 50s, [when] she started wearing a lot of one-shoulder gowns.

What is one detail about your home that people would be surprised by?

I love putting pictures in weird places. This is a print by Tracey Emin that I love, and I hung it on my bedroom door. It makes a really annoying clanging noise when you open the door, but I put up with it because I love how it looks.

Where is your favorite local spot that feels like an extension of your home?

I love Dover Street Market in London. I have lunch there at the Rose Bakery on my own all the time.

What is the one travel destination you can't stop dreaming about?

Le Sirenuse. I went in early summer to this stunning hotel in Positano and find myself scrolling back to the pictures to admire their interiors and the chronic vistas.

What is an item you bring to keep yourself grounded when traveling?

Charvet slippers. I ended up getting the silver pair, but now wish I got red! What they lack in friendliness they more than make up for in mega shirts and pajamas. Haha.

What is Alexa Chung's ultimate party trick?

Me and my friends play a lot of Trivial Pursuit but without the board. You all as a team have to get through one card before you can go to bed, and it usually takes far too long. Sports really trips us up.

Since Manhattan was a huge source of inspiration for your Madewell collection, which are your favorite quintessentially New York films that you revisited?

I think there's something really fun about observing American culture as an outsider and romanticizing it, and what helps me drive that home, in my mind, is all of the movies that I watched or associate with Manhattan. Manhattan, Annie Hall, and then also Taxi Driver even, honestly, Die Hard, and Party Girl, that movie Parker Posey's in.

What band or album are you currently listening to on repeat?

I love Fontaine’s D.C. I caught their gig at Finsbury Park recently.

You’re widely regarded as an It girl, and even the title of your book is a reference. What is your relationship like with that term, and has it changed over the years?

I think that when I first started, that was confusing to people in Britain, because I would write things for a newspaper at the time, and then I would host a TV show, and then I would make clothes. That was 2007, and they'd be like, "Oh, she's an It girl."

Nowadays, it doesn't necessarily resonate with me, but I do find it an interesting term for other people. I don't think the term will ever go away, either, because it is so exciting and powerful when when someone turns up and offers a new energy that feels really modern, and you can't really describe what that factor or that allure or that charisma is that they possess.

Are there any fashion eras your closet has seen that you never want to relive?

Peter Pan collars make me unwell at this point. Like, I just can't. Even a Mary Jane, to a certain extent.

If we were to peek into your camera roll, what would we see a lot of?

I randomly take a lot of pictures of fonts for inspiration for graphic design in the future in case I need them for T-shirts or other projects.

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Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers; their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, and fashion finds; etiquette rules they stand by; and so much more.

Green or pink. The two colors raced through my mind minutes before I sat down to chat with renowned costume designer Paul Tazewell. I knew I couldn't wear just any color while speaking with the visionary responsible for bringing the style of the Wicked universe to life on-screen. "You've got your pink sweater on, I see," Tazewell said before we dove into our conversation. Excellent—I made the right decision. Truthfully, I had some nervous anticipation going into this discussion. After all, Tazewell is one of the most celebrated costume designers with an Academy Award, an Emmy Award, two Tony Awards, and a British Film Academy Award. He actually lives up to the title of icon, legend, luminary… You get the point.

For many of us, watching The Wizard of Oz was a transformative experience. "One of the most magical influences of film was when Dorothy is in black-and-white and goes through the door into Technicolor," Tazewell said about the film that changed my life and dared me to dream over the rainbow when I first saw it at 3 years old. "It was that moment—the idea of film magic being transportive—that I will always hold on to. It's definitely an influence [in my designs] and how to create that kind of visceral feeling for an audience." Well, that's exactly what he accomplished with his work on Wicked and the forthcoming, highly anticipated Wicked: For Good. Tazewell dives further into the magical Land of Oz and his own world below.

Ahead, Tazewell shares more about his career journey that led him to his Oscar-winning work on Wicked (fingers crossed for a second Oscar for Wicked: For Good, which is out November 21), his collaboration with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, where he likes to spend his time when he's not creating magic, and so much more. Step into Tazewell's world.

You've had an illustrious career across stage and screen. What do you consider your "big break" in the business?

I think my early big break was Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk. That was my first Broadway show, and that set off a long period of lots of designing—designing around the country and designing on Broadway. The first time I think I was publicly visible was Hamilton because of how that was embraced globally. There were still some significant Broadway shows in between there, and I wouldn't have been able to design [Hamilton] the way that I did without the body of work that came before it. That all led me to my film work, which started with Harriet and then onto West Side Story and then onto Wicked.

How much influence did you take from The Wizard of Oz and the stage musical of Wicked in your designs for the two films?

I was always aware of the other imagery that's out there in the universe and [thought to myself], "How does this reflect what is already out there? What is the expectation of the audience? How are they going to relate to what I'm doing versus what it was originally? How can I capture the energy of what they experienced in the other productions and then give it a new life?" That's why Glinda is in the pink that she's in—it relates to Glinda in The Wizard of Oz, which was worn by Billie Burke.

What was the experience like working with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande?

Working with both of them was probably the two most fulfilling collaborations with a performer because they're each so attuned to fashion and style, their craft, how they want to play the role, and what their needs are. I wanted to engage them and have them buy into the whole track of clothing I had for the character. They needed to understand where they were starting and where they were going to end. I would say 80% of the design was me with original design, and 20% was their input and how it influenced what it became.

What has been your favorite red carpet moment?

The Met Gala was probably my favorite. It was such a wonderful moment with Janelle [Monáe] and myself and what we were wearing and how the cape came off. It became a theatrical event in itself, and I feel so honored to be a part of that. The Dolce & Gabbana that I wore to the Oscars is probably next, and I won.

What brands do you wear in your day-to-day life?

Issey Miyake, Ami, and Sandro for day in and day out. I also wear a lot of Dries Van Noten.

What do you keep in mind when you're putting together your outfits?

I'm going after looks that are comfortable, have an eye to tailoring, and classic lines. I also know that I'm seen as a designer, so how I present myself needs to be intentional. I'm always thinking about, How is someone going to see me? And that's the same question that I ask for all characters. What is the assumption that's going to be made of me and my work and how I envision design? I think that informs what I choose to wear.

What are you listening to? What's your most beloved album?

I'm a huge fan of Melody Gardot and Madeleine Peyroux. I listen to music on Spotify, so it's their playlist. Also Gregory Porter—any piece of his. And then Hadestown. It's musicals. I'm a musical kid.

What have you seen recently on Broadway that you love, and what are you excited to see?

Stranger Things—the special effects were really amazing. The Picture of Dorian Gray—I was impressed by [Sarah Snook's] performance. I'm looking forward to Ragtime.

What are you watching right now?

I've been binging Slow Horses. I love The White Lotus also.

Where do you call home?

I have an apartment in Brooklyn, and I always have a weekend place in Hillsdale, which is close to Hudson.

What is your favorite room in your home?

I love my living room because I love the color palette of it. It has gray-blue textured wallpaper, which sets the tone, and there's a gold-and-glass chandelier of globes, which is funny because you'd think I knew I was going to do Wicked because it's like bubbles. The palette is controlled but centers on seafoam blue, gray, taupe, and red. The red punches are informed by my grandmother's painting (she was a painter while I was growing up), and this one is largely red with a little bit of teal and aqua.

Local spot in Brooklyn you love?

Prospect Park is my lifesaver. I regularly walk the perimeter and sometimes inside, where I'll do a figure eight, which goes over to the botanical garden. I feel like the nature is inspiring, and it settles my soul, and I appreciate everything it has to offer.

Any advice you wish you had gotten when you first embarked on this career?

To center me more. I tend to be a people pleaser, so that informed much of how I navigated engagement. Looking back on it, I could've used some balance there. Really being vocal would've been helpful in getting what I wanted sooner. That was something that was learned over 15 years. Also to really understand what elements I needed to have in place to do my best work.

What did you learn from working with Erivo and Grande?

The respect they give to the people who are all working toward the same goal, which is to make the film look great. It's a beautiful privilege to have worked with both of them. I honor what they do, and they honor what I do. There is a shared respect.

Finally, favorite Wicked song?

"Defying Gravity" is my favorite because it's an anthem. But "The Wizard and I" is right behind it. Those are the two that I'll sing to myself.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers; their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, and fashion finds; etiquette rules they stand by; and so much more.

There's a certain calm confidence Jasmine Tookes carries—whether she's walking the runway for Victoria's Secret or at home in L.A. making Sunday pancakes with her family. The supermodel turned founder has entered a new chapter, one defined not just by glamorous fashion parties but by intentional choices. "The teenage version of me would be wide-eyed in disbelief," she says. "I dreamed big back then, but I could never have imagined the layers of my life now."

Those layers are many: Tookes recently launched Brunel, a luxury beauty brand transforming bodycare, but perhaps most meaningfully, she's navigating motherhood (and pregnancy) with a sense of presence. "I don't believe in the perfect work/life balance—it's more like a dance," she reflects. "Some days my work demands more of me; other days my daughter does. I've learned to be fully present in whichever role I'm in."

Her approach to life mirrors her personal style: "effortless, elevated, timeless." From her most recent Met Gala look, which she describes as "powerful yet feminine," to her daughter's budding love of handbags, Tookes's world is one of thoughtful elegance. Ahead, she shares the career wisdom she's gained, the beauty rituals she swears by, and the little moments that inspire her most.

How does it feel to be where you are now? Was it always your dream to juggle motherhood and business?

From walking the world's biggest runways to building Brunel, my beauty brand rooted in luxury and mood-enhancing self-care, and most importantly becoming a mother, each chapter has been more fulfilling than I could have planned.

Tell me what work/life balance looks like to you. How do you juggle parenting and having a successful career?

I do not believe in perfect balance. It is more like a dance. Some days my work demands more of me; other days my daughter does. I have learned to be fully present in whichever role I am in at that moment. I build my schedule with intention, whether it is a Brunel product meeting or bath time, and I give myself permission to slow down when I need to.

Do you feel like becoming a parent has changed the way you approach your career?

Absolutely. Becoming a mom has given me so much perspective. I'm more selective about the projects I take on because my time feels so much more precious. I want to make sure whatever I'm working on is truly fulfilling and worth being away from my daughter.

If you could give advice to the version of you that was fully in her single era and not yet a parent, what would it be?

Travel more, say yes to spontaneous adventures, and invest in yourself without hesitation. I loved my single era because it shaped my independence. I would tell her to build as many experiences as possible before life becomes more rooted.

You're working on a lot of fun projects right now, but what would be the dream next step in your career?

I am deeply focused on growing Brunel into a globally recognized brand, not only in beauty but as part of a complete lifestyle. Over the past few years, I have also been quietly investing in brands that inspire me, which is a part of my life most people do not know about. It has given me a new creative outlet and a chance to support ideas I believe in. I would love to dip back into the fashion world as well. Returning to the runway would be such an exciting full-circle moment. Acting is something I have often thought about too. Although, it requires the time and focus to commit fully to the demanding pace of auditions.

Define your personal style right now in three words.

Effortless, elevated, timeless.

Where does your incredible sense of style come from?

From my mother, who has an impeccable eye, and from years of being immersed in fashion. Working with some of the world's top designers refined my understanding of fit, fabric, and proportion.

How has your style evolved since the beginning of your career to now?

In the early days, I experimented more. Now I gravitate toward clean lines, neutral palettes, and pieces that will look just as beautiful 10 years from now.

Does your daughter ever comment on your personal style? Any funny or sweet anecdotes?

She's still little, but she's already so observant. Sometimes when I'm getting dressed, she'll just point and smile at my shoes or grab at my jewelry. It's the sweetest little reminder that she's noticing everything.

Does your daughter enjoy fashion and getting dressed already?

Yes! She loves picking between two outfits if I hold them up. She always gets this proud little look when she makes her "choice." I try not to go overboard, but it's so much fun dressing her in mini versions of some of my favorite styles.

Has motherhood shifted the way you shop or the types of clothes you gravitate toward?

Definitely. Comfort has become so important, especially pieces I can move around in easily when I'm with her. But I still love looking polished, so I've found myself gravitating toward elevated basics and timeless staples that are easy to mix and match.

Is there a piece in your closet that your daughter already loves playing with or asking about?

She's obsessed with my handbags. Any time I leave one on the floor, she immediately crawls over to play with it. I think she just loves opening and closing them, hopefully not a sign of an early handbag obsession!

What's your favorite dress or top to show off your new body oil in?

I love a strapless dress because it highlights a beautifully glowing décolletage. It catches the light perfectly when I am wearing Brunel Golden Hour Glow Oil.

If you could only shop one brand for the rest of your life, which one would it be?

Khaite. Understated luxury that always feels right.

Which of your iconic red carpet looks would you want to be remembered by?

My 2025 Met Gala look. It felt powerful yet feminine and perfectly captured the balance of strength and elegance I love.

If you could trade closets with one celebrity just for a day, who would it be?

Princess Diana. Her style was classic, confident, and eternally inspiring.

Your makeup looks are all over my Pinterest boards. Where do you find inspiration for your glam?

From travel, editorial photography, and makeup artists I have worked with over the years. I love subtle, skin-first beauty, and I feel like I have mastered my face shape very well. I also feel like playing with deep brown tones never goes out of style. Think '90s-esque beauty. It's made a recent comeback, and I truly feel it's a timeless look.

I've also always known you for your incredibly healthy-looking hair. Any treatments or products you swear by?

Regular hydrating treatments, minimal heat styling, and a silk pillowcase. I also believe in scalpcare as much as skincare. I have also always loved keratin treatments and will do them twice a year.

What's one piece in your closet you'd like to pass down to your children someday?

Oh, this is tough! Maybe one of my first Hermès bags. They just really stand the test of time and work so well with every outfit. My daughter loves carrying them around the house.

What was the experience like creating your dream home?

It was deeply personal. Every detail was chosen with both beauty and function in mind. I wanted it to feel like a sanctuary where I can recharge after a full day.

What makes the interior-design aspect of it special?

It is a reflection of my travels, with neutral tones, organic textures, and statement pieces that tell a story.

Are there any special pieces in your home that everyone should covet?

I think finding a good piece of art that makes you happy and inspires you. I have the first art piece that I bought by Rose Wylie, and every time I see it, it brings me those feelings.

Do you have any favorite household products that make juggling life at home easier as mom?

A well-organized pantry and beautifully scented candles. They make even the busiest days feel more calm.

You recently collaborated with Downy Unstopables. What inspired that collaboration?

Fragrance has always been a passion for me, both in fashion and beauty. Partnering with Downy to create a high-end take on laundry felt like the perfect way to elevate everyday rituals into moments of luxury.

You're always on the road. What's the one hotel that feels like a home away from home?

Any Aman property. They're always structurally beautiful, intimate, neutral toned, and feel like a dream.

What's your favorite restaurant in your home city?

I'm going to sound so L.A. here, but Nobu Malibu. Consistently delicious and the view is so dreamy! I also love the drive down PCH to get there.

If you could get a vacation home anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Tuscany, Italy! For the delicious food and wine tasting!

Do you have a favorite family ritual like a Sunday recipe or movie night?

Sunday mornings are my favorite. We usually make pancakes together, and it's such a sweet, slow start to the week. I really treasure that little family time before the busyness of Monday.

In what ways do you see your child taking after you already?

She's already showing so much personality. She's very determined and independent, which feels very familiar to me. And she's a total people person, just like Juan and I.

Any parenting podcasts, books, or resources that you've found genuinely helpful?

I really liked Bringing Up Bébé. It gave me a fresh perspective on slowing down and enjoying the little moments. I also love listening to short parenting podcasts when I have time in the car. They help me feel less alone in figuring it all out.

What songs would make up your dream playlist?

Most of my playlists are filled with Rüfüs Du Sol. Any time I hear one of their songs, it immediately takes me to a calm and happy place.

Any binge-worthy shows lately?

I have to say I love reality TV. I love the Real Housewives franchise.

Where do you gather inspiration for your work?

From travel, I pay a lot of attention to textures, tones, the way people move throughout their lives.

Any podcasts we should be listening to?

Diary of a CEO. I just love the topics and guests he has on his show. Love learning about different entrepreneurs journeys. Emma Grede's podcast as well—a good mix of business strategy and inspiring personal stories.

Any good reads?

The Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav. It is about living with purpose, aligning with your soul, and creating authentic power, which is something I try to bring into every area of my life.

What's the parenting advice you don't believe in?

That you have to follow a rigid "rule book." Every child is so different, and what works for one might not work for another. I've learned to trust my instincts more than anything else.

What's the best piece of parenting advice you have received?

To be present. It's so easy to get caught up in work or on your phone, but these moments are so fleeting. Just putting everything down and soaking in time with her has been the best advice.

One etiquette rule everyone should abide by?

Always send a thank-you note, handwritten when possible.

Your love language?

Quality time. Being fully present is the greatest gift.

What do you wish you knew earlier in your career?

That "no" is just redirection.

Something overrated and something underrated?

Overrated: wearing something just because it is "in" rather than because it makes you feel confident.

Underrated: truly taking the time to moisturize head to toe, which is why I created Brunel.

Your least favorite fashion trend?

Anything that sacrifices elegance for shock value.

The best gift to give and to receive?

To give: a personalized and meaningful piece they will keep forever. To receive: time, whether it is a weekend getaway or an afternoon without distractions.

What's one thing you want your children to grow up knowing that you didn't?

That self-worth is not tied to external validation. I want them to understand their value is intrinsic and to embrace their individuality with confidence.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

Look who’s in the C-suite. It's Paris Hilton—now that’s hot. No one is more deserving of a multi-hyphenated title than this global icon, CEO, DJ, entrepreneur, activist, and mother. We caught up with Hilton, who shared everything, from her Simple Life days to becoming a CEO with 11:11 Media, and, of course, her favorite looks from over the years. She even told us her favorite accessory that has kept her on top for over the past two decades—her motorola razr.

“It’s been a staple in my hand and my wardrobe for over 20 years,” says Hilton. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the motorola razr is a pop culture phenomenon in its own right. Shop the razr in a Y2K-inspired hot pink or re-create the sparkle of Hilton’s own bedazzled 21st birthday dress and shop The Brilliant Collection.

Hilton attributes her success to being her authentic self. “I’ve always trusted my instincts since day one,” says the icon. “People are finally starting to recognize me as the businesswoman, innovator, and changemaker I’ve always been.” While her media savvy might be what gets her in the headlines, to Hilton, “building [her] business has been incredible, but nothing compares to the love and happiness of motherhood.”

I’m excited to give you a glimpse into Paris Hilton’s world. Ahead, a Y2K download of Paris and her pups, pink velour tracksuits, and an oversize-sunnie obsession.

Give us a peek into your world. What does a typical day in life look like for you?

My schedule is so full—from meetings about my businesses to spending time with my babies—so I need tech that can keep up. The Moto AI tools are honestly a lifesaver. Catch Me Up is my go-to because it keeps me in the loop, and I love Look and Talk since I can do things hands-free. It’s chic, smart, and perfect for my nonstop lifestyle.

You have so many business ventures you’ve taken on over the years, from your beauty line to 11:11 Media. I know it might be like asking to choose a favorite child, but if you could drop everything to focus on one thing, what would it be?

Everything I do is so personal to me. But right now, my heart is with being a mom and creating memories with my family. Building my businesses has been incredible, but nothing compares to the love and happiness of motherhood.

You’ve always been ahead of the curve. When you look back on moments like launching your first fragrance or embracing social media early, do you think your intuition drives your business choices—or is it strategy?

I’ve trusted my instincts since day one. Launching my first fragrance, embracing social media before it was a “thing”—those weren’t calculated moves; they were me being myself. I love being ahead of the curve, and strategy always follows when you’re authentic.

You’ve worn so many hats—DJ, producer, entrepreneur, activist, mom…

What they don’t see is how hands-on I am with 11:11 Media and all the projects I take on. I’m super involved in every detail—creative, strategy, even the nitty-gritty.

You’ve had some incredible looks over the years. Are there any iconic outfits that you look back on fondly, ones that people wouldn’t necessarily expect?

The silver chain-mail dress I wore for my 21st birthday will always be one of my favorites. It’s so timeless—it still inspires fashion today. One look I’ll always love is the black cutout catsuit I wore to Coachella this year. It was so special because through 11:11 Media Impact, we helped relaunch Hana O’Conor’s brand, Crop It Like It’s Hot, after the L.A. fires.

If you could raid the closet of anyone—past or present—whose would it be and why?

Definitely Marilyn Monroe. She embodied Hollywood glam like no one else.

You've had so many stylists over the years who have homed in on your aesthetic and presented your now-iconic style to the world. What are some references, feelings, or themes you feel like you reference in your wardrobe, whether it's from 2005 or 2025?

I always channel sparkle, pink, and playfulness. But I also love mixing in futuristic vibes. It’s very Y2K meets next-gen—sliving chic forever.

As far as your everyday style goes, which wardrobe staples do you live in?

Oversize sunglasses and track suits. And of course, my razr.

What's your cheap-thrill fashion find that you love?

I love scrolling TikTok Shop and finding fun little accessories—like bag charms—and I’m obsessed with buying Labubus. Phoenix and London love them.

Let's talk about accessories. Is there one item—bags, sunglasses, jewelry—that you can't leave the house without?

My razr! It’s been a staple in my hand, and my wardrobe, for over 20 years. It’s more than just a phone; it’s my favorite accessory. I never leave the house without it.

You’re constantly traveling around the world with your family, for work, for DJ sets. What’s one unexpected travel item you’ll always pack with you?

I never travel without my Motorola Buds Loop from The Brilliant Collection. They’re next-level, gorgeous crystal embellishments and incredible sound, thanks to Bose.

Finish the following sentence: My home wouldn’t be complete without…

My dogs! They bring so much love. A house isn’t a home without them.

Phones are almost like a digital home. I have to ask: What’s your screen time?

Honestly… way too much. But I’ll call it research.

If you could transfer one current app to the razr flip phone you had back in the day, what would it be?

I’d definitely bring TikTok back to the old flip phone. Imagine all the iconic selfies and videos I could’ve posted back in the day.

We all have digital clutter. What's one app you should delete but never do?

I’m on Instagram way too much, but I love connecting with my fans there—so it’s never going anywhere.

How do you make a hotel room or temporary space feel like “home” when you're constantly traveling?

I always bring cozy pajamas with me, and I spray my Iconic fragrance—it instantly makes any space feel like home. And whenever I can, I love bringing my family along. The kids are still little, so I’m taking advantage of being able to travel together before school makes things more structured.

Is there a summer read you’ve had your nose in on vacation?

I’ve been reading Rad Future by my friend Isabelle Boemeke. She makes nuclear power so fun and accessible, and I love supporting women who are changing the world. It’s super inspiring.

We’re a little more than halfway into the year, and streaming platforms are surely starting to make plans for their annual end-of-year playlist calculations. If you had to guess who would be your top-streamed artist for the year, who would it be?

Britney, always!

Is there a creator or content series—on TikTok, YouTube, anywhere—you’re obsessed with right now?

I’ve been obsessed with following @bibianagonzalez75 on TikTok. Her video went viral when her car caught fire—but her Paris Hilton tumbler survived. I surprised her in Texas with a brand-new car, and ever since she’s been posting the cutest vlogs and sound bites. I just adore her—she’s so authentic and deserves the world.

What’s your guilty-pleasure rewatch—something you’ve seen way too many times and still love?

I love rewatching episodes of The Simple Life. It’s iconic and hilarious. It’s Phoenix’s favorite show next to my new animated series, Paris & Pups, coming to YouTube in September.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

Negativity. Life’s too short for bad vibes.

What’s the one etiquette rule that you stand by?

Always be kind and gracious and always make people feel appreciated.

What’s something you think should be a “luxury” but is actually just good common sense?

I’m obsessed with Motorola’s The Brilliant Collection crystal phone case.

If it were up to you, which fashion trend would never see the light of day again?

The micro-sunglasses trend was cute for a minute, but I’ll always be an oversize-sunnies girl.

What’s a misconception about you that you feel is finally starting to fade—or one you’re still working to change?

A big misconception is that I haven’t worked hard in my life. For so long people just saw the glam, the parties, the character—and assumed everything was handed to me. But the truth is I’ve worked nonstop since I was a teenager, building a global brand across music, media, beauty, fashion, and now 11:11 Media. People are finally starting to recognize me as the businesswoman, innovator, and changemaker I’ve always been.

If you could send a note to the Paris of 2005—amid the rise of The Simple Life and global fame—what would you tell her?

I’d tell her, “You’re stronger than you think. Stay true to yourself and don’t be afraid to let people see the real you.”

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

In this day and age, there are few stylists with as prolific a client list as Jamie Mizrahi. She's who Jennifer Lawrence, Adele, Jeremy Allen White, Riley Keough, Nicole Richie, and current Oscar-nominated It girl Mikey Madison (to name just a few) call whenever they need to look their best. Her clients always look comfortable and confident—and like themselves—in the looks Mizrahi curates for them, which is no small feat. But styling isn't the only thing that keeps Mizrahi busy. She has multiple brand collaborations under her belt, she founded the cult-favorite intimates brand Kit Undergarments (which has since been acquired), and most recently, she designed a room with Crate & Kids.

After years of working a slew of various jobs in the fashion industry, including working at fashion houses, in events at Vogue, and editorial styling, Los Angeles–based Mizrahi found her way to styling. She said on Who What Wear's podcast, "It wasn’t till I came out to L.A., [where] really the only aspect of styling that existed out here was celebrity. That’s kind of how I fell into it. It wasn’t the goal from the beginning." And we're so glad she did. Mizrahi is responsible for creating numerous incredibly memorable looks for her clients' red carpets and events. There are too many highlights to name, but for starters, she commissioned dozens of black dresses for Adele's Las Vegas residency, has flawlessly styled Mikey Madison for her exhaustive press tour for Anora, has helped to make Jennnifer Lawrence one of the most sartorially influential celebrities of our time, and even styled Jack Nicholson for SNL's recent 50th anniversary show.

Let’s start from the beginning. When did you first realize you wanted your world grounded in the fashion industry? And what about styling called to you?

Since I was little—I always loved dressing up in my mom’s closet and going to the mall with my friends, picking looks for everyone to wear.

What style icons are on your inspiration board? And what do you love most about them?

Marlon Brando, for his casual-cool style. Babe Paley—she was so glamorous. Carolyn Bessette, classic and timeless. Jane Birkin, Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren…

What’s the most-used item in your styling kit?

Good undergarments are probably the most-used item and are key to completing a look.

You’ve styled some incredible red carpets over the years. Are there any looks you’ve styled that you look back on fondly?

I absolutely loved Jen Lawrence’s vintage Givenchy dress she wore to the Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

How, if at all, has working as a stylist influenced your own wardrobe? Has it impacted your approach to getting dressed every day?

I don’t think it necessarily influenced it, as I’ve always stayed true to myself and what I feel good in. When approaching my wardrobe, I want to feel polished yet simple in something that can take me throughout the day and into the evening.

What luxury items do you feel are worth the investment?

A great black jacket [and] the perfect pair of black pumps. A good button-down is always worth it. It's so versatile and easy to style. You’ll end up wearing it with so many different looks throughout the year.

What’s your cheap-thrill fashion find that you love?

I love vintage shopping on Etsy—you can never have too many vintage silk embroidered robes.

What wardrobe staples do you live in every day?

A good button-down—I have so many different colors, fabrics, etc. I just love the look of them and how they can really take me throughout my day.

What’s one styling hack or “rule” that you live by?

Wear what makes you feel your best. If you wear something because you feel good and confident in it, that’s what matters most, and that confidence will radiate.

How, if at all, does your approach to styling differ from decorating your home?

It’s similar—it’s particular to the style of house, just like with my clients. Everyone is different.

How would you describe your approach to interior design in three words?

Easy, livable, discovery.

What’s your favorite room in your home?

Right now, it’s our playroom. We just recently designed the space with the Design Desk at Crate & Kids, and they did such a great job with the entire room and bringing our vision to life. I let my kids weigh in on the process as well. Once I had their opinions, we narrowed down the exact shades of all the colors that should be in the room to make it something that aesthetically I would also enjoy. The whole family has been living in that room since we’ve redesigned it.

What’s your favorite thing about the newly created space?

Working with Crate & Kids on this playroom was such an effortless and fun process. Interior design is an interest of mine, but I knew I wanted to work with Crate & Kids’ Design Desk because of their team of experts. I shared my inspiration and let them know what my kids’ must-haves were, and they designed the perfect room.

I love how cozy the room is—we’ve really been enjoying having movie nights with the whole family on the couch. I also love all of the storage we’ve built into the room. The Ever Bookcase and Desks from Crate & Kids are perfect for keeping my kids organized.

Finish the following sentence: My home wouldn’t be complete without _____.

My children.

What’s your favorite spot outside your home?

I love being in my car driving around L.A., and the little Franklin Canyon hike behind my house.

What media form has influenced your worldview most?

I'm inspired by films and archive pieces. I love looking at old runway shows.

Is there a specific book that you’re currently reading? Or do you have a favorite book?

I'm reading Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés and loving it.

Is there a television show you’re binge-watching that has become the center of your world as of late?

I just finished Nobody Wants This, which I absolutely loved. And also just finished the Martha Stewart doc!

What’s the one beloved deep-cut music album you listen to on repeat?

I love King Princess. I’m ready for her next album.

What’s one thing on your “queue” that you haven’t gotten to yet but is next up for you?

Definitely Lioness!

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

No one has shone their light on modern American fashion quite like Jenna Lyons. Crowned by The New York Times as "the woman who dresses America" during her 27-year tenure as creative director and president of J.Crew, she revolutionized how American women dressed with her avant-garde approach to style and encouraged a whole generation to embrace wearing sequins with stripes, feathers with classic button-downs, hot-pink satin with denim, and distressed jeans with tuxedo jackets. Lyons unquestionably gave J.Crew both mass appeal and a cult fashion following with her preppy-glam, geek-chic aesthetic. Since closing the chapter at J.Crew, the fashion icon has turned her sharp mind to a whole host of other projects—including her own false-eyelash brand, LoveSeen—and has captivated audiences with her humor and honesty on reality television and social media. More recently, she has joined forces with luxury eyewear brand Dita to design the aptly named Lyons frame for those who seek to make a statement with their eyewear. It is inspired by her signature look—which, much like Lyons herself, is both timeless and contemporary.

Lyons's career highlights are of the type a fashion person could only dream of. She was widely recognized as the creative force and the main driver behind J.Crew's phenomenal rise from floundering retail business to one of the most coveted brands in the U.S. During that time, she was championed by the likes of Anna Wintour and had the honor of dressing Michelle Obama and the First Family in head-to-toe J.Crew for the 2009 inauguration. But it was perhaps her very own legendary style moments and iconic looks (think the famously styled feather skirt, white shirt, and mink coat she wore to Solange Knowles's wedding) that secured her spot as an American fashion icon, and she continues to be pinned on the style mood boards of fashion devotees across generations.

Today, it's Lyons's vulnerability, honesty, and unfiltered personality that we get to see on-screen, on Instagram, and in interviews that make us love her even more. She has openly discussed the difficult transition after leaving J.Crew and her journey of reinventing herself later in her career. She continues to captivate audiences with her bold yet refined aesthetic that blends high fashion with everyday wear. Her passion for her consulting projects with brands, her creative endeavors on- and off-screen, and her recent eyewear collaboration with Dita is unmistakable. We sat down to discuss her work, wardrobe, signature beauty look, and everything in between. Ahead, you'll get a glimpse into Jenna Lyons's world, including her wardrobe staples, her favorite NYC spots, the exact color of her signature poppy-red lipstick, and so much more.

Give us a peek into your own world. What does the day-to-day in the life of a creative entrepreneur, television personality, and all-round fashion icon entail?

Even in my previous job [and] even though I was working at one place, I was managing three different companies—J.Crew, Madewell, and J.Crew Factory—so every meeting was different. I found myself going from a meeting about the models and fittings for Madewell, then we would go to a budget meeting for J.Crew, and then we were going to a marketing meeting for Factory, and then I'd be going into a strategy meeting planning for the next couple of years. There was always so much variation, and truthfully, I think I realized I'm more comfortable in that because I find myself inserting myself into many different things so I can actually have my hands in a lot of different projects. Nowadays, it's pretty varied. I wouldn't say any day looks the same. I do consulting work, so it can be a strategy meeting for other companies. Then sometimes, it's interviewing people. Sometimes, it's being interviewed. Sometimes, I'm shooting things about outfits. Some of it is going on TV. It's really varied, which I really enjoy.

Your time as creative director at J.Crew put you on the fashion map—what were some of the highlights of working at J.Crew, and how did it shape your career and who you are today?

It was some of the most incredible moments! Having the opportunity to dress the First Family of the United States was really just an insane honor—not just because it was the First Family but because it was the Obamas. Just the way that they integrated fashion and that kind of connectivity to people into their lives, it was really unusual. I mean, if you look at any of the First Ladies or First Families prior, you never knew where they got their clothes, or if you did, it was high-end couture, and it wasn't accessible to the general public. This is really the first time you saw a First Lady, in particular, going on a national television show and saying, "Oh, I bought this at J.Crew." By establishing that connection with people in the country, it also established a connection with us, and it just opened up a whole new experience for myself and for the team to feel so much more connected to people. People that didn't necessarily think that the product was for them, all of a sudden, were more open to asking about something they could wear. This was really a very exciting moment.

I think being a sponsor for the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was also incredibly exciting for everyone—not just me but for everyone on the team. We got to work with designers like Joseph Altuzarra and Jennifer Fisher and The Elder Statesman, and it gave the team and myself this whole other opportunity to give back and share but also then to highlight designers who were up-and-coming, and that was just a really incredible experience. To have the opportunity to work with people who just think really differently, that was just so fun.

You are now a much adored television personality—we love watching your humor and style shine on-screen. Was moving into television an organic next step in your career? How do you pick and choose your on-screen projects?

I think it was organic in the sense that there were not a lot of choices. When I left J.Crew, I really thought I was going to get another fashion job. While I was scared of getting another fashion job, I just assumed that that's what I would do. And then I realized that it wasn't really as easy as you might think, and a lot of the brands here in the United States just associated me with J.Crew and didn't really see a way for me to integrate into their brands. I found myself thinking, "Gosh, I don't think I'm going to do fashion again," which, in some ways, was a relief and then also kind of scary. So I just started taking meetings—anyone who wanted to meet with me. I was like, "Sure, let's talk," and I opened myself up to whatever came my way and didn't filter. That led to some really unusual and interesting conversations. One of those conversations ended up in California, sitting in a restaurant, and someone walked up to me and said, "Hey, can I talk to you about a TV show?" I was like, "I don't know anything about TV!" But I just went with it on a whim. It was not the most strategic thing, but it was an incredible experience, and I'm so happy I did it. In terms of how I choose now, mostly, I think, "What is the most provocative, unexpected thing I can do?" That will probably be the answer!

You recently collaborated with luxury eyewear brand Dita to create a new limited-edition frame embodying your signature style. How did this exciting collaboration come about, and what was the inspiration, creative process, and design philosophy behind this exclusive release?

It's so funny—it was not even a collaboration but more like an insistence on my behalf! I had purchased their frames years ago. They were sunglasses, and I had made them into eyeglasses, and then I bought every one they had. They had some sort of problem with them in manufacturing, so they discontinued them. I continued to wear them, and they would repair them for me. … When I would lose them or break them, I said, "Please, make them for me again," and they said they couldn't. I finally insisted, and that's how the collaboration came about in the end. It wasn't like them coming to me and saying, "Oh, we want to work with you." I just needed to figure it out and make it happen!

I tried so many other brands, and I couldn't find anything that was classic but also larger because their sunglasses are a little bigger in size. When we finally decided to relaunch it, we rebuilt the frame at an incredible Japanese factory where the quality of what they do is very special. Then we worked on color options. I really love color, and I was able to go to their offices in California and work with their team, and that was so fun. I wear the soft-pink/amber color, and we also have a charcoal style, which gives some depth when you're wearing it. The lens is a graded mirror, so you can still see through it quite well, but you get a little bit of a sunglass vibe without having that dark shade.

What would be your next dream project or career move—whether in television, fashion, or anything else?

I've been watching the musical chairs of all of the designers happening around, and I do think that there's a lot of houses that are here in the United States that are coming up that are so interesting to me. If you'd asked me five years ago, I would have said I would love to work at Ralph Lauren, but I think that ship has sailed. I don't think it's the right thing now, but I've often thought about that. I think it's such an incredible brand, and Ralph has done such an amazing job at creating a visual language that has been really unchallenged. He really sets the tone for what American fashion has become and has stayed for a very long time. But I don't know if that would make sense now for me.

Now, I'm much more interested in doing than I am in directing. I had the opportunity to direct, but when you get to a point where you're managing such a big team, you're not doing as much anymore. I think what I love about some of the consulting work that I've been doing is I get to be much closer to the process and the actual doing in the product and really having conversations about what something could be, should be, and what the strategy around that could be. I love that part of the process. I still like TV, so I wouldn't mind doing more TV, but we'll see what happens.

You are a true fashion icon and were once referred to as the "woman who dresses America." Do you have a go-to fashion uniform?

I never loved the idea of a uniform. My favorite thing was dressing up and wearing something different every day. … After leaving J.Crew and after COVID, I find I wear suits pretty consistently. I have a whole slew of men's suits, and I honestly feel the most comfortable in them. That's become my go-to.

What are the wardrobe staples you live in every day? Why?

I have all my shirts custom-made because I love custom-made shirts, and I find the process is so fun and love getting it monogrammed, etc. … Even on the weekends, I wear button-down shirts pretty much consistently. I get my custom shirts from Hong Kong. I started going there when I was probably 22. I remember the very first trip to Hong Kong I ever went on. I stayed at the Regent Hotel, and in the basement was a very high-end mall, and they have this custom-made shirtmaker, so I made my first custom shirt when I was 22, and I was like, "This is the best thing."

I have to ask—do you have any favorite J.Crew pieces that you still wear and love today?

Oh, yeah. I mean, it's nice to have some distance because when you're in it, obviously, there's the intensity and the intimacy of it all. When I first left, I didn't wear a lot of my J.Crew clothes at the beginning, and now that I've had some distance, there are still pieces that I have, like these beautiful Super 120 flannel blazers I still pull off the rack. We did some really incredible embroidery, which I love. Also, when I worked on things for the Met ball, I have all those pieces and still wear them sometimes, and they were all made by the internal team. Yeah, [there are] a lot of pieces that I really hold dear and are special and will probably never get rid of.

You've worn so many iconic looks over the years. Is there a look that you look back on fondly? What's the story behind how it came to life?

The one that I have the most love for myself and probably the one that I've gotten the most love for is the feather skirt that I wore with a white button-down shirt, and I wore it with a little mink coat over the top. That was a pretty quick throw-on outfit, and it ended up being one of the looks I have gotten more attention for than any other.

The skirt was from J.Crew. It was from our wedding collection. It was originally a wedding dress, and I wore it to the Met ball with a V-neck sweater. What had happened was I was invited to the ball, and I had never been before. I had no idea what I was doing. I was so overwhelmed at work, and I couldn't think about it. I also was so intimidated because everyone was wearing full-length embroidered gowns, and people were spending years and hours and days and millions of dollars on these dresses, and I didn't have access to that.

This wedding dress was hanging in my office. There was a conversation about what we were going to do with it, and the sample had come in quite expensive, and we didn't think we were going to be able to reproduce it. I was like, "Let me just throw this on." I threw it on, and it was a strapless dress. I was like, "I don't think I can wear this," but I just let it drop. I let it drop down, and then it was kind of a skirt, and I just happened to be wearing a V-neck sweater, and I loved the way the two pieces looked together. It happened by accident. I'll never forget [this]: I get to the top of the stairs at the Met ball, and Anna Wintour was there with Stella McCartney, and Stella says in front of Anna, "Oh my God, you're wearing a jumper. How lovely!" I was like, "Oh God, is this a good thing or a bad thing?" I was mortified. But apparently, it was provocative because I heard about it from the Vogue team later.

Which style icons are on your mood board? What do you love about them?

Paul Newman, Dua Lipa, Cate Blanchett, Charlotte Rampling—a whole splattering. With the women, they artfully mixed masculine and feminine, like they weren't necessarily overly girly. There's always this element of tailoring or something to anchor in some masculine dress that I really appreciate. I do think men's clothes in and of themselves are just incredibly attractive, particularly on women.

Paul Newman, in the reverse, he didn't dress as much like a man. He was softer and looser in his approach. He often wore fabrics that were softer, and things were a little bit unconstructed, which was not exactly what everyone else was doing. He skewed a little bit more toward a softness, and he really paid attention to tailoring and texture, which I think you don't always see with men's clothing. When you think of the dichotomy between those two groups, both are pushing toward the middle in some way yet not necessarily falling into strict identities of one or the other.

What's the one luxury item you feel is worth the investment?

I think there's no excuse for a bad jacket. Buy one beautiful blazer.

What's your cheap-thrill fashion find that you love?

I love a pair of novelty socks like the ones from Maria La Rosa.

You have a very distinct beauty look—red lip, slicked-back hair, and glasses. How did this Jenna Lyons look come about?

It was totally by accident and certainly was not strategic. It happened right after I had my son when I was breastfeeding. Every time I had my hair down, he would hold on to it and grip it in his fingers and pull it, and I thought, "I can't have my hair down anymore." It was too much. When I put my hair up in a ponytail, it looked kind of crunchy and rough. I would get up the next morning and not have time to do it, so I said "Okay, I'm just going to slick it back because it looks cleaner," and then it just became easier. I realized that people were actually complimenting me and saying, "Oh, I love your hair slicked back." Around the same time, I started getting photographed more frequently, and I noticed that I looked kind of dead in pictures—my skin didn't have any color. I was tired and working a lot and not feeling my best. … One time, I popped on a red lip because I thought, "This will make me look a little brighter." The picture turned out great, and I felt like total dog shit. I was exhausted. I had no color in my face, and I put on some blush and lipstick, and I looked so much better.

The glasses [were] just an accident too. I kept falling up the stairs because we had three floors at the office, and I was looking at my BlackBerry and taking my glasses on and off, and I always misjudged the steps. I was constantly losing them in the back of a cab or somewhere else, and finally, I realized I don't have to keep taking them off. Once I did that, I just started wearing them all the time, so my look came about from the combination of those three things. It was not strategic. I wish I could say it was.

Everyone wants to know—what is your go-to red lipstick?

I have three that are my staples. One is a Sephora lip tar in Chili Pepper—basically, it does not come off. You put that stuff on your lips, and the good news is you can kiss anyone because it's not going anywhere, and the bad news is it's on. It's not coming off. Then Nars Heat Wave is another one of my absolute favorites. And then there's a Maybelline one that is glossy, which I don't know the name of, but it's the same kind of thing. It does not come off, but instead of being matte, [it] is a gloss, which I'm kind of into. I hadn't wore a gloss in years, but my makeup artist introduced me to it, and I had never tried it. There's another one from Korea. I went to Korea recently, and I have to say the makeup in Korea is amazing.

What's on your vanity? What are your go-to skincare and beauty products?

I have a Shiseido face cream that I am obsessed with. It's called Future Solution. This stuff is fantastic. I love it. My skin is dry and a little older, so I started using this stuff, and I'm totally obsessed. The Shiseido eye cream is the other one that is great. U Beauty makes this great tinted moisturizer that I'm obsessed with.

Any beauty tips and tricks you can share?

My secret weapon is wearing alcohol swabs underneath my armpits because it makes it not smell! I saw a doctor on TikTok, and she said the only reason we smell is because there's bacteria underneath your arms, and this actually gets rid of it. It really works, and it stays! It's so great. I don't like getting deodorant on clothes, especially if I have to borrow something to wear or have something that I don't want deodorant to get on—like anything satin or really fine fabrics. It's so nice because it really protects the clothing from the odor and getting stained.

What is the most prized possession in your home? Why?

I have a Cy Twombly drawing that I got when J.Crew launched in Paris. I was very fortunate to work with Yvon Lambert, who was a gallerist in Paris for years, and he asked every artist who ever did a show in Paris to do an authentic original poster for the show. One of them he had was Cy Twombly's poster for his show in 1979, and he had the original drawing, and I was allowed to borrow pieces for our presentation to the French press. I sat underneath it for like a week of doing press, and I never wanted something so much in my entire life. I remember calling my financial advisor and saying, "I promise I won't buy anything else ever!"

Finish the following sentence: My home wouldn't be complete without __________.

All my animals: Popeye, Megatron, Rumba, and Charlie—my two kittens, my cat, and my dog.

Where is your favorite local spot that you're most comfortable hanging out at?

My favorite place is the ice cream place—Van Leeuwen. I'm obsessed with ice cream. That and Sadelle's—I spend an enormous amount of time at Sadelle's.

You tend to travel a lot for work. What is the one hotel that feels like a home away from home? What makes it so comfortable?

It's funny. I don't go to the same places for work that frequently. One of my favorite hotels in Paris that I love is the Château Voltaire. It's such a great small boutique hotel. It's incredibly chic and very well situated. The last time I was there, Hailey Bieber was having her party on the ground floor, which is also really fun. I also do really love a Nobu hotel.

What are you watching right now?

I'm obsessed with Call My Agent! I wish there was another season. I just think French comedy is so brilliant. I also like Shrinking—that's a cute show. And SNL is always a staple.

Is there a podcast or musician you are listening to that you love?

I love the podcast I'm Not Dead. It's kind of new, but some of the people they've had on have been really interesting. Every interview they've done has been so well executed. They have really interesting people that are a little more unexpected.

Is there a specific book you're reading at the moment? Would you recommend it?

I'm reading Sarah Hoover's book called The Motherload: Episodes from the Brink of Motherhood. She is so raw—it's great. For anyone that has a kid, it's worth reading. She really lays it on the line.

What's one thing on your queue that you haven't gotten to yet but is next up for you (e.g., a specific show or book)?

Oh, that is a long list. I can't keep up with The New Yorker—they're stacked up on my nightstand. In terms of movies, I'm deeply excited for The Room Next Door with Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. I cannot wait.

What is the one etiquette rule that you stand by?

No phones ever at the table. The phones are off the table, under the table. Not in your hands. Not for a kid. Not for an adult. Never.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

If I'm in a conversation with you, don't check your phone. Just be here with me. Everyone understands if you don't text back. You can just take the time and just be present.

What is something that's overrated and underrated in your mind?

Underrated is oversharing. I think everyone should overshare. Cass and I joke about this all the time because we're both oversharers, and oftentimes, oversharing is when you actually have fun conversations and can disarm a room and make someone feel comfortable. Please, overshare all day long. Overrated is being invited. Everyone wants to be invited to everything, and it's kind of overrated!

If it were up to you, which fashion trend would never see the light of day again?

Manpris—men wearing capri pants! I can't. That never needs to happen. And I've never really been a fan of a shrug.

What are your favorite things to give and get as gifts?

To give—little luxury items that you wouldn't necessarily spend money on. I love giving beautiful socks like cashmere socks. I think those are things that no one wants to spend that kind of money [on], but it's so nice to own them and have them and take them out on cold night—it's such a luxury. I love giving something that I'd want to receive myself. I love giving candles. My favorite candles are these 30-inch candles, and they're just so dramatic and beautiful, and they feel much more special than getting a 12-inch candle, which burns in a minute. Whereas these 30 inches, they come in like 30 and 24, and they're just super elegant and beautiful. They're from Creative Candles, and I love them.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

By now, it’s impossible not to know the name Emma Chamberlain. Whether for her platinum mullet, unfiltered video-editing style, or irreverent red carpet interviews, Chamberlain has become synonymous with the style, humor, and overall internet presence of her generation. What began as posting vlogs to YouTube during her sophomore year in high school has evolved into something that can only be described as a full-on business empire for the 23-year-old multi-hyphenate. Her company Chamberlain Coffee that sells all manner of coffee beans, matcha, and other caffeine-related merch has been estimated at a value of $20 million; she inked a deal with Spotify for her podcast, Anything Goes; and more recently, she joined forces with Warby Parker to design an iconic capsule of eyewear.

The thing about Chamberlain is that to know her at all is to love her. It’s impossible not to—her brand of humor is uniquely unfiltered and off the cuff, if at times lovingly self-deprecating. No moment in pop culture personifies this energy better than her now-famous interview with Jack Harlow on the 2022 Met Gala red carpet. Harlow says "Love ya!" before walking away and leaving Chamberlain with an awkward, wide-eyed reaction to the camera. It's those moments of Emma being purely Emma that make her so endlessly joyful to watch. Now, after taking a hiatus from YouTube, Chamberlain is finding her way back to the platform—on her own terms. She's since posted two narrative-style videos. The first documents herself cutting her long hair into a mullet while the second chronicles a massive closet purge, and they're already setting the tone for her newfound relationship with vlogging.

Off YouTube, the creative juices are certainly flowing. For Chamberlain Coffee, her campaigns are nothing short of cinematic, each with their own props, wardrobe, and characters that pull you into their world, whether that be a chemist's lab, circus, or Olympic gymnastics gym. Her most recent collaboration with Warby Parker brings that same caliber of creative production with a series of mini characters Chamberlain concocted out of an inside joke with herself that she never takes her glasses off. When we sat down to discuss her work, wardrobe, and everything in between, it became clear just how much pride she has in these creative projects. From the ideation to the execution, it's like stepping inside her strange but wonderful mind. Ahead, you’ll get a glimpse into Emma Chamberlain’s world, including her return to YouTube, favorite red carpet moments, and so much more.

Give us a peek into your own world. What does the day-to-day in the life as a content creator/podcast host/entrepreneur entail?

Right now, I'm working seven days a week. I'm lucky because it's all things that I'm excited about, and that's all you could ask for. I'm at a point in my career now where there is a lot more behind-the-scenes stuff that I didn't have before. Five years ago, my job was just about creating the content, and then as things progressed, it shifted to a point where I was like, "Oh, I actually am running things behind the scenes." There's more of an operation going on now, so I'm doing meetings about things or editing things or all this stuff that takes up time in a way that you wouldn't anticipate.

I recently read that you have a "two-phone" rule. Can you tell me about this?

Yes, so I have two phones: one with a normal phone case, and then the other one with a bunch of toxic stickers and a do not enter sign—even the home screen is the throw up emoji. Everything about the second one is like, do not touch this phone, and I deleted all of the functional apps, so calling, texting, all that stuff, because I don't want to fall into a routine of using that phone. I wanted to create a barrier to using that phone on a day-to-day basis, so if I'm going to post something on the internet, I only open the second phone to post, and immediately put it back in a corner in my office where it's plugged in all the time. This distinction has truly improved my quality of life so much so that I don't know if I'll ever go back.

You’ve achieved so many career successes and wins, from hosting the Met Gala as a Vogue red carpet correspondent to launching and growing a coffee business that’s valued at $20M. At this point, you’re carving a completely original path for yourself. What would you say is the main driver in your work?

What brings joy to people, period. It's what has propelled me for the last few years: doing what brings me the most joy and fulfillment, and that also brings the most joy to the people around me.

Between campaigns for Chamberlain Coffee and brand collaborations like the one you recently did with Warby Parker, you’re known for creating these visual worlds that feel cinematic, almost like mini movies complete with their own custom characters, sets, and props. How do these ideas come to you? Where do you look for inspiration when ideating for these creative projects?

With Warby Parker specifically, that was a very new idea, where I wanted to come up with something brand new and unique for this collaboration, that is not reminiscent of anything, and that is challenging. I've found that you have to be intuitive. I'm somebody who historically has really played with my look a lot—going to a fashion show or for a Chamberlain Coffee shoot, I cut and dye hair and change my look a lot—so I wanted to lean into that and also the fact that I just don't take my glasses off. It's like an inside joke with myself, so I tried to build it out from there.

Of course, YouTube is really where it all began for you. What are the types of videos that most excite you to make right now?

I'd say recently, I would describe my last two videos as sharing an epiphany. I used to film my day-to-day life but now I'm enjoying telling stories about specific things that have happened. With the [haircut] video ("hair theory"), it was about me being like, "I'm bored of what I look like. I want to cut my hair." And then documenting that experience and telling that story. And with the closet clean-out of it all ("I got rid of (almost) everything"), that was me coming to the conclusion that I had overdone it and then showing what was left. I'm just inspired by telling a mundane sort of story in an interesting way.

What camera do you shoot on?

I've always loved the Canon G7X. It's such a good one for photos. For video, I just recently started using the Canon Vixia—a larger camcorder—and I love how it's a bit grainier.

You’ve worn so many iconic looks over the years for countless red carpets and appearances. Is there one that you look back on fondly? What’s the story behind how it came to life?

My most favorite ever would be last year's Met Gala with Jean Paul Gaultier. What was just so incredible about that—honestly, I really give credit to my stylist Jared Ellner and Jean Paul Gaultier for really putting the hours into that project.

You’ve worked with your stylist Jared Ellner for quite a while now. What are some of the references and inspirations that come up in your conversations?

A lot of it is runway. I'm no professional fashion analyst, but it's almost like going to a sports game, right? If you love fashion, going to fashion shows is like going to a football game or the World Series. We are constantly studying the runways, old and new, and trying to pull things we saw and were obsessed with. That actually happened for the Vogue World event where I wore this Rick Owens look. We saw it on the runway, and we were like, this is the best look ever. I need to wear it at some point.

What fashion aesthetics or brands best encapsulate the world you want to live in every day?

I'm definitely enjoying simplicity and minimalism right now.

As far as your everyday style goes, which wardrobe staples do you live in?

Simple gray, wide-leg trousers. Basic white tank tops, black turtlenecks, simple long skirts with a few sort of more intricate pieces. I have a lot of vintage Jean Paul Gaultier actually. I have this one top that's a cotton three-quarter sleeve shirt in striped navy and white that has metal buttons on the front. Very sailor. But it's very simple and can be any aesthetic you want it to be, depending on what you pair it with.

I also feel like you're a Tabi girl, no?

I am a Tabi girl. I didn't get it for a long time. The Tabis being trendy is not what swayed me, it was trying them on and finding out they were actually very comfortable.

Which style icons are on your mood board?

I will say I've found the most inspiration from people in real life. For example, there was a woman who used to be the maître d' at the Sunset Tower Hotel. She doesn't work there now, but she worked there for many, many years. But she used to wear some sort of cute chunky shoe with a long, three-quarter-length skirt, and usually some sort of beautiful sweater, and it was so chic to me. However, when I look on my Pinterest, a lot of what I'm seeing is '60s mod style, so images of Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick.

You worked with Proem Studio to design your L.A. home, which was recently featured in Architectural Digest. How would you describe your interior décor style? Are there any design aesthetics you leaned into when decorating your current home?

I would say it's definitely very eclectic. You know, it's like, kind of, and I think my personal clothing style is also kind of like this as well. I like to mix and match various eras, you know, and to create something. Whereas, like my clothes, I'm kind of sending a message. With my home, it's what genuinely just brings joy.

What is the most prized possession in your home? And why?

I did just get a new espresso machine that I'm obsessed with. It's the mini La Marzocco Micro. It's what they use in a café, like a big metal, serious machine, but a mini one for my house. But also, I do have a little Wallace & Gromit wall panel. In the cartoon, the character would press a button on the wall in the morning, and it would like open a trap door, and they'd fall through the floor and then a machine would attach their pants onto them. You know, that one didn't make it into Architectural Digest.

Finish the following sentence: My home wouldn’t be complete without __________.

My cats Declan and Frankie!

Where is your favorite local spot that you’re most comfortable hanging out at?

My hot yoga studio that is somewhat close to me. That's one of the only places I really go. I also love going to the grocery store and walking around, so Whole Foods and Erewhon even.

Spotify Wrapped was just released. Give us a peek into yours. Who were your top streamed artists? Were you surprised by this?

One of my top bands was Current Joys. But my Spotify Wrapped gets spoiled for me because I have a playlist for every year, so I already knew what was going to be in it.

What is one deep-cut album that you listen to on repeat?

I was listening to The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour a lot this year, for some reason.

What movie did you watch recently that stuck with you?

Okay, I really don't love movies. I don't watch them ever really. I don't know why. I'm a YouTube kid, I guess.

What’s one thing on your “queue” that you haven’t gotten to yet but is next up for you?

Mainly what I want to read are classic books. The ones that my high school didn't, like To Kill a Mockingbird or Frankenstein. I've tried to read Crime and Punishment a few times and failed. All those brutal classics, that's what I would love to get through, even though a lot of them are really challenging.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

I'm a control freak about my schedule. I like to get stuff done in the moment, so anyone who inhibits that.

What is something that’s overrated and underrated in your mind?

Underrated: pixie cuts. Although, I'm biased. Overrated: camo print. I don't care about it.

If it were up to you, which fashion trend would never see the light of day again?

Galaxy print.

What is one fashion trend that you think is overdue for a comeback?

Everyone is debating whether 2025 is the year skinny jeans are going to come back, and I do think they are. I feel it in my bones. Am I going to wear them? Probably not.

What are your favorite things to give and get as gifts?

I really love giving experiences, like taking my family on a trip or to a really nice dinner. However, I do think when there's someone who really wants something and has been talking about something over and over again, there's no better gift than that.

Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers and get a peek into their favorite restaurants, beloved albums, fashion finds, etiquette rules they stand by, and so much more.

Behind many significant style moments, you can find a stylist who first envisioned that now-famous image—not infrequently, that person has been Law Roach. Known as “the image architect,” Roach has built his career in the fashion-and-entertainment industry by meticulously crafting the image of some of the more influential people in Hollywood. Even if you can’t rattle off a list of his most noteworthy looks as a stylist, you’ve seen his work. Law has been the force behind some of the most viral red carpet moments in recent memory for stars such as Zendaya, Céline Dion, Kerry Washington, Ariana Grande, Bella Hadid, Megan Thee Stallion, and many more. His success can’t be simplified into a client list, because he’s attained other accolades, too.

Law has made history throughout his career, as he’s often been “one of the first” to inhabit spaces in which many Black creatives before him could have never imagined reaching. The fact that a young Black man from the South Side of Chicago could wind up being one of the most influential stylists in the world was seemingly impossible, but then again, it reflects Law’s innate ability to bring forth unimaginable possibilities. After all, he was the first African American to grace the cover of The Hollywood Reporter's Most Powerful Stylists issue. On top of that, he won the inaugural Stylist Award for American Fashion at the CFDA Awards not once but twice. With so much success, it surprised many in the industry when he announced he’d be stepping back from styling in 2023 (with the exception of continuing to work with Zendaya and Céline Dion).

Although the move may have shocked many, we surmise after our conversation with Law that his intention wasn’t stepping away so much as stepping into himself again. That’s evident in the shift we’ve seen him make from building the public personas of stars to establishing a new pathway for the next generation of creatives. In the last few months, he’s announced his acquisition of the School of Style, an educational service that provides the tools, resources, and knowledge for aspiring stylists. Additionally, he’s on the tail end of the release of his first book, How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence From the World’s Only Image Architect, which is “part self-help, part manifesto,” all aimed at helping others cultivate their personal style. Law’s new projects reflect his focus on the bigger picture in many ways. It’s that innovative vision that compelled us to interview him to launch the My World series—thankfully for us, he obliged. Ahead, you’ll get a glimpse into Law Roach’s world, including his current projects, favorite styling moments, and so much more.

What style icons are on your inspiration board? And what do you love most about them?

Grace Jones, Cher, Zendaya. What I love about Grace Jones is that she’s the ultimate risk-taker. I think so many people continue to say that Grace is their source of inspiration. And then, oh my god, Cher. I love the relationship between her and the designer Bob Mackie—the back-and-forth dance they shared regarding styling inspires me. Lastly, Zendaya inspires me because I’ve been able to grow up with her. Watching her grow into her womanhood and create her own individual style and sense of identity outside of me has been really inspiring. I think it’s just really cool seeing how Zendaya has taken everything we’ve learned from working together and put her spin on it, creating her own kind of off-duty style. She’s been my fashion soulmate and style sibling, and we always tell each other that.

What’s the most-used item in your styling kit?

Double-sided tape, for sure.

You’ve styled some incredible red carpets over the years. Are there any looks you’ve styled that you look back on fondly? Why?

There are two looks. The first is Zendaya wearing the archival Mugler robot suit for the Dune tour in 2024. I think it’s one of my favorites because, in part, it felt almost impossible to pull off, but then it became possible. I think that kind of hope, the possibility of what could be, has always been what my career stands for, so this look very much embodies that to me. I also think that this particular look has now become a favorite of fans, even those outside of the fashion world, to the point where, honestly, as humbly as I can say this, I think it’s one of the biggest fashion moments of all time. My second favorite look that I’ve styled is Céline Dion wearing Stéphane Rolland for the Billboard Awards 2017—that moment was emotional. I think it was the first time I’ve actually ever cried at my work; it was just so perfect. It was, you know, this iconic performance. It was the 20th anniversary of Titanic, with Céline signing her song with that dress under those lights. Céline’s voice is undeniably one of the greatest of all time, and being a part of that is something that was just so special.

One of the incredible things about your work is that you’ve created these style moments that will undoubtedly leave their mark on the culture. But we’re curious how doing this work has influenced how you see the world. Conversely, how do you think your work has shifted how others see the fashion world?

It’s influenced a couple of things, actually. In doing this work, it has made my world so much bigger, meaning that the things I have access to are larger than what I might have ever imagined. But on the flip side of that, it’s also made the world smaller in a way—I can communicate with a designer in Australia or Japan or in a small town somewhere in Europe that I would have never even known existed. And then, there’s the other aspect of my presence in this industry. As I’ve been able to navigate the industry, it’s opened up possibilities for people who look like me when that has historically seemed somewhat impossible. I think that’s what I want my work to stand for—for that to be my legacy.

What’s the one luxury item you feel is worth the investment?

My Hermès Birkin. I feel like I carry my Birkin Bag as Jane Birkin carried hers; it’s a prized possession. But I also carry it all the time because it’s functional and makes me feel good. Honestly, it makes me feel quite beautiful.

What’s your cheap-thrill fashion find that you love?

My Hanes sweatpants from Target. It’s one of those items that are so accessible to anyone and everybody. But for me, they give me the sense of comfort and familiarity of, you know, where I came from.

What do you love most about these two items?

It’s so funny because these two pieces are polar opposites. But the juxtaposition of my Hermès bag and Hanes sweatpants, the duality of both of those things and wearing them simultaneously, is something that I think funnily speaks to my own style. It plays to both sides of my life and lifestyle, where I am versus where I came from, and being accepting and grateful for both sides. I think that’s why I’m so drawn to these two things.

Do you think finding the balance between comfort and luxury also applies to your home space?

I do. I think that’s what real style is about. Fashion and style are two totally different things. I believe style is about finding great pieces that speak to you and that you love.

Finish the following sentence: My home wouldn’t be complete without __________.

Great sheets, Fiji water, a bottle of Dom Pérignon rosé, and my Mongolian brown sheepskin fur throw blanket from CB2.

What’s the most prized possession in your home? And why?

My most prized possession is a new painting entitled “Do Not Disturb,” which I purchased from the artist Frank Coffie. I love this painting because it reminds me of my uncles. When I was growing up, I had five uncles, and they played an important role in my life. The painting reminds me of how they used to look in old pictures from the ’70s and early ’80s; it’s very nostalgic.

What’s your favorite local spot to feel most comfortable when you’re not home?

Miss Ada NYC in Brooklyn. It has excellent food and a great atmosphere.

Is there a specific book that you’re currently reading?

My memoir, How to Build a Fashion Icon: Notes on Confidence From the World’s Only Image Architect, is currently at the top of my queue.

You just finished writing your first book. As you were working on it, were there any other written works from others that inspired you?

Quite honestly, I used writing this book as time with myself. It was a form of therapy. Right after I retired, I was alone with my thoughts and experiences. I had time to reflect on all of the things that had brought me to that moment in my life. I was able to see all of the things that I had learned throughout the years from my own experiences, my career, and all of the women I’ve worked with and use them to write this book.

What’s the one beloved deep-cut music album you listen to on repeat?

I don’t really listen to music, to be honest.

Is there a television show you’re binge-watching that has become the center of your world as of late? And why do you love it?

RuPaul’s Drag Race. I think the show is a testament to RuPaul’s whole philosophy—she’s always been about love and self-love specifically. And I think she took an aspect of culture considered a subculture for so long and brought it into the mainstream to share it with the world. I think that’s what draws me to the show. Also, I just love how talented all the queens are, you know?

What’s the one etiquette rule that you stand by?

If you love it, buy it. If you buy it, wear it. And if you wear it, wear it over again.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Do Not Disturb on people’s phone.

What’s something that’s overrated and underrated in your mind?

Underrated: confidence. Overrated: comparing yourself to people.

In addition to releasing your book, you’ve acquired the online platform School of Style. What compelled you to partner with Kent Belden to launch a platform dedicated to educating aspiring fashion stylists?

Well, Kent has been my agent for the last eight years, and I’ve found his dedication to the arts through nurturing and developing stylists inspirational. It just kind of made it a natural partnership. Also, I believe the reach of his agency [The Only Agency] will be very instrumental in giving people real opportunities. The most important thing for me is not to sell a dream but to share the tools they’ll need to enter the industry and achieve what they’re hoping for in the long term.

Young stylists face many challenges as they enter the industry. How do you hope this service helps them along their journey?

I hope it helps them launch their careers. I will be teaching them how to launch them with my infrastructure—all of the things and tools I used to become the stylist that I became. You know, I didn’t have any type of mentorship or couldn’t work for anyone earlier in my career, so I had to build all of the structures for my business. I had to make that business successful. One of the course’s most critical parts will be the financial literacy lecture. When people enter this industry and start making money as freelancers, they don’t quite understand how to navigate dealing with taxes and corporations and the best ways to deal with them. It’s one of the most crucial parts of setting them up for success because it requires a level of technicality. But I believe that the technique can be taught to other people, and it can be given to others. With my courses, I will share how I navigated this industry and became successful in a way broken down into collegiate-level coursework.

Is there any advice you wish you would have known when you first embarked on your career that you hope to share with others through your courses?

Honestly, the financial part of it was what I wish someone had taught me. After my first couple of years, to be very transparent, I was in a lot of trouble with the IRS. And it wasn’t just because I didn’t know; no one had ever explained how to set up a styling business. I didn’t come from a family with great financial literacy, so I was just thrust into this world where I was making money but wasn’t paying my taxes correctly.

We think it’s incredibly admirable that you’ve spent the last few months writing your book and launching the School of Style platform to share everything you’ve learned. It speaks to your understanding that to bring another generation forward, you must give them the tools they need to succeed. But we’re curious: How, if at all, have these projects impacted how you view your legacy?

With everything in my career now, I’m choosing to do things that will benefit others and help others grow, especially those who aspire to have a similar career. I just think it’s the right thing to do, and it feels good to pay it forward this way. I hope these two projects will play a huge role in my legacy. I think that’s what’s always been important to me. I’ve never wanted my legacy just to be, “Oh, well, he put pretty girls in pretty dresses,” you know? I’ve always believed that it should be a bit more.