Lily Taylor is someone I always think of as this decade's Veronica Webb. They don't look alike per se and may not have the same career but from the first time I spoke to Lily at the Union Square farmer's market (NYC) this stylish young bohemian impressed me with her style. Veronica had that certain kind of style. And style by Lily is not typical of models today.
Style in general falls on few but the ability to make someone notice "how and what one is wearing and who they are in it"...should be that individual's objective. I like the look of Lily. She is one of my kind of girls, as a model and she is a good model when asked to present herself on the runway.
My interest in introducing Lily is because she has a typical model story that can happen to some girls and you wonder "why doesn't she stick and have a great model career"? Discovered at 16 by IMG Models, she relocated from Los Angeles. After that representation for a couple of years, then had different stints at other model agencies.
When I think of a photo shoot or runway show, I always think and want Lily. She has a great body, good legs (so important) and I like the difference in her face. Lily came along before 2007 when it was tough for a black girl to be among many and work. In 2008 I used her as one of the 10 new faces for the famed Vogue Italia's Black issue.
It's like, if I was making a film, as a director, I would definitely want Lily in it. For me she always brings something to the table. Being a model, is it the will of the model or those that represent her that attributes to her success? I often have to wonder, when someone I think should make it in the mix, have a stellar career and doesn't quite do so.
This is when you have to be grateful, that they come from a good supportive family, and have great intellect. Academia and higher learning is always their pursuit. But I always think of Lily when NY Fashion Week comes around, if she is in town. Its good to have that "go to person", in this case its "my go to model".
Lily has worked recently with Rachel Comey, Stephen Burrows, Essence Magazine, Aldo advertising campaign and with Ellen Von Unwerth for Vogue Italia.
What's next
"Who knows? School, travelling; whatever the wind blows my way."
Dream Gig
"Pirelli Calendar."
Personal Style
"Evolving, it changes daily depending on my inspiration."
Shoes/Jewelry/Hair
Boots or sandals/ vintage/ wild and free.
Fashion tip
Have fun
Favorite dress
"Ones that twirl when you spin."
Favorite city
Itacaré, Bahia (Brazil).
Favorite music
Odd Future, Tommy Guerrero, Dinah Washington.
Favorite Food
Sushi.
Favorite drink
Water.
Favorite movie
Dreams by Akira Kurosawa.
Favorite designers
Rodarte, Stella McCarthey, Chloé, Yves Saint Laurent, Balenciaga.
Style icons
My parents in the 70s.
First thing in the morning
Music and a shower.
Last thing before bed
"Brush my teeth and read."
Obsessed with
Nature.
Birthday
15th August 1988.
Born in
Laguna Niguel, CA.
Lives in
Brooklyn, NY.
Bethann Hardison
