Lily Aldridge Interview ALDRIDGE ‘I Still Feel Anxious On The Catwalk... I’m In My Undies!’ INTERVIEW: GEMMA CALVERT A cool career, a hot husband in Kings Of Leon frontman Caleb Followill, a new baby and a body that makes us green with envy. Meet Victoria’s Secret Angel Lily Aldridge… here is a plate of posh biscuits separating ball pits,” says Lily. “Dixie loves Minnie Mouse, so us and Lily Aldridge and we’re silently Mum bought her a little Minnie Mouse outfit. I felt willing her to take one. This isn’t about so proud. Oh my God, I love being a mum, it’s the seeing a Victoria’s Secret model chomping greatest joy I’ve ever had in my entire life.” on all-butter shortbread – but everything Tomorrow, Dixie and Lily are off to London Zoo, Tabout our own tummy rumbles. The cookies are but right now we’re at The Connaught Hotel and a side serving with Lily’s pot of green tea, so officially Dixie’s upstairs with Laura, leaving Lily free to talk. all hers. And we have manners. “I love green tea, Top of her topic list? Her other half, who she met at I’m addicted,” she says, lifting the china cup and Coachella in 2007. “I’m his No 1 fan, I love him and showing off a cluster of finger jewels, the symbol I’m so proud of him,” says Lily, who inspired Sex On of her marriage to Kings Of Leon frontman Caleb Fire. “When he’s on stage, he takes my breath away.” Followill. It’s because of the band’s UK tour that Aside from the odd glass of wine, Lily’s life is Lily, 27, is here in London, accompanied by their anything but rock ’n’ roll – she says her last big party daughter Dixie, one, and lots of the Aldridge clan. was “our wedding”, two years ago. For Lily and Lily flew over her half-sister Saffron and her Caleb it’s about enjoying the simple things in life in parents Alan and Laura (who divorced five years ago Tennessee. “He’s sexy when he cooks,” says Lily of Lily married rock star but “still love each other”) for Dixie’s first birthday. her husband. “I’m not bad in the kitchen 2011 “Saffron threw her a party with a bouncy castle and but he’s the cook. He’s a great husband. û Caleb in May BLACK YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN 93LOO13033121.pgs 31.07.2013 15:37 Lily Aldridge Interview Sometimes we cancel a holiday, as after. I did it because it was for my job. we just want to be at home and cosy.” I worked out and ate really clean.” That very English turn of phrase is no By clean she means organic food coincidence. Lily’s dad, an illustrator, like chicken, fish and vegetables. “The is British and during her teenage years, better you treat your body, the better when she wasn’t living in Santa Monica, you feel,” says Lily. Then, offering hope Lily spent a lot of time in London. She for us all, she adds: “Last night we had says: “I feel very English. I love a cup an Indian feast delivered. I had chicken of tea. I have PG Tips in my house and tikka masala, chicken korma and Returning to the Victoria’s I love Cadbury’s Fruit & Nut bars. samosas. But I don’t do that every day.” Secret runway just 16 Sausage rolls, Ribena… I love it all.” It feels so Lily uses the word ‘beautiful’ a lot weeks after giving birth Compared to the lingerie-clad sex and is very positive. She concedes her siren we’re used to seeing on the natural body has changed since pregnancy, Marc Jacobs, her half-brother Miles catwalk, the Lily here today is low-key. saying she feels “stronger”, and when is a fashion photographer, and her She’s wearing a simple black Chloé being we ask about the pressure Victoria’s half-sister, Saffron, is a model for Ralph vest, Rag & Bone skinny jeans and Secret models are under, she’s Lauren. At 12, Lily realised that her Charlotte Olympia flats. And there’s a mum diplomatic: “Of course I want to look mum was a Playboy playmate after only a hint of make-up. But there’s good when I do the show – I’m in my stumbling across a Playboy magazine nothing understated about her body and lingerie, but I’ve got a team of people in her dad’s studio. “I was traumatised and it’s hard to believe Lily gave birth behind me who choose a flattering because it was like my dad was having just a year ago, returning to the catwalk I think outfit. I know they have my back.” an affair with Playboy,” laughs Lily. in a reported eight weeks for the But even with her body, does she A self-confessed tomboy, Lily got her Victoria Secret’s show. “It was four we’ll have ever feel anxious walking the catwalk first modelling contract for Abercrombie months – 16 weeks,” she clarifies. in next to nothing? “Of course,” she Kids at 16 and appeared on the cover of “I don’t want people to freak out and more giggles. “When we do a show my heart Vogue España at 17. But with everyone think eight weeks!” Still. Sixteen weeks races – that’s what makes it fun.” And so obsessed with her looks, does she is a quick shape-up and Lily admits that babies, does she have days when she asks that need to prove her brain power? “No, it was something of “a mission”. famous question: Does my bum look I’m very secure with myself and I don’t “My priority was my daughter [but] but there big in this? “Yes,” smiles Lily. “There are think I have to prove stuff,” she says. thank God I got in shape for it [the mornings when I want to stay in my “[But] I hope young girls can see it’s show],” she says. “I worked really hard.” are no pyjamas and not leave the house!” more about who you are inside. I look Lily trained with Mary Helen Bower, Lily’s now keen to build her own up to women like Gisele Bündchen who coached Natalie Portman for plans yet brand. Last year, she designed a range and Angelina Jolie. They’re beautiful, Black Swan using her Ballet Beautiful for American label Velvet and is bringing but I have so much respect for them workout. “Whenever Dixie would nap out a new line next season. She also because they have positive voices.” for an hour, I’d train. Most women can’t fancies doing a workout DVD. But Lily’s At the end of our chat, Lily asks prioritise working out after they have No 1 job is caring for her daughter. She a waitress to take our picture and gives a baby, and I don’t want them to think says: “It feels so natural to be a mum us a warm hug goodbye. And as we they have to look like that four months and I think we’ll eventually have more walk out the door, we’re disappointed babies, but there are no plans yet.” to see she’s not eating the cookies… Modelling is a family business. Lily’s Q Lily Aldridge at IMG. Go to Look. sister Ruby was the face of Marc By co.uk for Lily’s favourite outfits. PHOTOS PA WENN.COM, PHOTOS: LILY’S HERO PRODUCTS LIPS “Rose-Marie Swift is an Kora Organics FACE Victoria’s Secret amazing make-up artist by Miranda “I use Miranda Kerr’s Self-Tanning with a line called RMS Kerr Hydrating Kora every day. She Tinted Lotion Beauty. The Living Mask �14 �37 gave it to me when Luminizer is like a little I was pregnant. It highlighter. It’s also great makes your skin glow on your lips.” and feels so good as Lily and former RMS Beauty Victoria’s Secret soon as you put it on.”” Living Luminizer Angel, Miranda Kerr, �30 are firm model/ mummy friends CHEEKS BODY “I never go out without Nars “You don’t want to sit and Bronzer. It looks so natural bake in the sun, as it’s bad over tinted moisturiser.” for your skin, so a natural- looking self tanner is good. Nars Bronzing Powder in Laguna Use it once a week.” �26 BLACK YELLOW MAGENTA CYAN 93LOO13033122.pgs 31.07.2013 15:45 .