By Mishal Cazmi
Fashion is in Lily Aldridge’s blood. It’s true — her sister, Ruby Aldridge became the face of Marc by Marc Jacobs last year, her half-sister Saffron was the face of Ralph Lauren in the nineties, and her half-brother, Miles is a fashion photographer who is married to veteran model Kristen McMenamy.
Enter Aldridge, a newly winged Victoria’s Secret Angel and the current face of Rag & Bone ad campaigns. Lily, in her towering heels, is a perfectly statuesque beauty with none of the haughtiness one might expect. Hardly was up bright and early to catch up with the model who was in Toronto to promote the new Victoria’s Secret Incredible collection.
Can you tell us about the Incredible fragrance?
The fragrance is so wonderful. The thing I love most about it is the writing on the back. I think it’s very inspiring to be able to look these words every morning — daring, sexy and bold. You see these every morning. I always keep it in my purse. To see these really encouraging words throughout the day helps women feel empowered. It’s a fresh, comforting scent.
If you weren’t a model, you’d be:
I wanted to be a soccer player when I was a kid. Last time I was here, we got to do a shoot-out with Toronto’s professional soccer team, Toronto FC. I also wanted to be an astrologer. I’m very much a tomboy and into rock ‘n’ roll, but I’m also girly.
You once said in an interview that you hope you can be a good role model for girls. In what ways do you hope to do that?
People always ask me who I look up to and someone who inspired me was Gisele [Bündchen]. She was so involved in helping the world and the environment. It’s great to see a beautiful woman that has everything to take time to do something else. And Angelina Jolie as well. They don’t have to do that. They can just sit on a yacht. They go the extra mile to help people. It’s really inspired me to give back as much as I can and try to help as many people as I can.
The last movie that made you cry?
Probably The Notebook. I watch it all the time. My boyfriend tells me to turn the movie off because I’m a sobbing wreck. It’s nice to have a good cry. I’m pretty sappy!
What was the last great book you read?
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. I think it’s such a great book. Whenever I can, I go to a bookstore and buy it for everyone I know. I read it once a year because it’s a really great story.