It's Time to Subscribe to Lily Aldridge By Jennifer Goldstein Photographs by

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FASHION EDITOR: Ryan Young A GROWING YOUTUBE AUDIENCE. A SUCCESSFUL SUSTAINABLE-PERFUME LINE. LILY ALDRIDGE IS A MAKING MOGUL MOVES.

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It'sshame that Lily almost Aldridge spent the first decadea of her career quietly stalking runways and posing for print campaigns because her brand of friendly— goofy, warm, enthusiastic, unselfconscious— translates exceptionally well to video, as anyone who subscribes to her YouTube channel knows. Her earliest videos on the platform are glossy, quick-cut

compilations of beauty tips, bloopers, and behind- IMAGES KHOMI/GETTY JANE IMAGES, IMAGES/GETTY HERITAGE the-scenes footage from shoots for Bulgari and Ralph Lauren. The 34-year-old model has also taken viewers inside the Nashville home she shares with her husband, Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill, daughter Dixie, 7, and son Winston, 1. “[On YouTube] you get to narrate your own story

and communicate with your fans in a whole new IMAGES, COLLINS/GETTY KATHY IMAGES, COLLECTOR/GETTY PRINT BACKGROUNDS/ART: FLORAL way. I think people really responded to it because it’s a different side to me.” Her recent uploads are more revealing. In one vlog from February titled “Cancelled,” she talks about the “literally hundreds and hundreds” of times she’s lost jobs, like when she got fired as a teenager for having bad skin. When she discusses more recent setbacks, it’s clear she has developed an enviable sense of confidence—aided immensely by a self-deprecating sense of humor. At one point, she pauses her storytelling to offer a message to haters: “If I wanted to fix my teeth, I would fix my teeth.” That’s not to say Aldridge is immune to criti- cism. She’s just at a point in her career where she’s more concerned with helping others. “We live in a world where everything is put on YouTube and Instagram in the most beautiful light—highlight reels of our best moments,” she says. “Not many THIS PAGE, ABOVE: people show the not-cool parts of their lives. I SWEATER, $1,290, FENDI; PANTS, $1,090, SAINT want to so young girls realize we all go through LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO. RIGHT: ups and downs.” SWEATER, $795, But her subscribers aren’t just girls struggling ALTUZARRA; JEANS, $98, LEVI’S; BANGLE, $495, with insecurities; they’re also women looking to SAINT LAURENT BY ANTHONY VACCARELLO. her for career advice. And they’ve picked a good OPPOSITE PAGE: role model in Aldridge, who was compelled by TOP, $265, JONATHAN SIMKHAI; JEANS, $98, motherhood to start her own company, Lily LEVI’S; GOLD-AND- GREEN BRACELET, $5,100, Aldridge Parfums. “I got to work on it a lot while I GOLD BRACELET, $4,490, BULGARI. was pregnant with my son, which was an amazing creative outlet. I think you just need to start "I love all the flowers overflowing in this shot. Very dreamy!" FOR STORES, SEE SHOPPING DIRECTORY. putting it out there, being curious and willing to try new things.” Her thoughtfulness as a business owner contrasts starkly she believes it’s the responsibility of Victoria’s Secret—and HAIR: HARRY JOSH AT STATEMENT ARTISTS. She developed the line, which has released two with the culture at Victoria’s Secret, a company she worked with smaller brands, like hers—to be accountable for what happens MAKEUP: HUNG fragrances and has two more on the way, with for nine years. In February, a New York Times investigation within the company. “It’s important to always be involved in VANNGO AT THE WALL GROUP. NAILS: DAWN sustainability in mind. The bottle caps are made of revealed the brand’s lengthy history of mistreating employees your business and care for the people who are working for you,” STERLING AT STATEMENT ARTISTS. responsibly harvested wood, and the recycled- and models. (A spokesperson for Victoria’s Secret’s parent she says. “It’s about creating a good, safe team with strong SET DESIGN: GRIFFIN paper boxes double as the shipping cartons. “I company, , did not deny the accusations. Less than a people and checking in.” STODDARD AT MHS ARTISTS. PRODUCTION: think that’s the way of the future. The way that month later, L Brands sold a majority stake in Victoria’s Secret That philosophy will serve her well as she expands her brand. TOMORROW MANAGEMENT. brands will survive and be strong is by constantly to a private equity firm, and leadership changed as a result.) “I hope we can do more beauty products, and clothing, and kids’ growing and changing and evolving.” Aldridge, who ended her relationship with the label in 2018, says clothing,” says Aldridge. “The possibilities are endless.” 65