Lily Aldridge's Early Life: How an Abercrombie & Fitch Campaign Launched the Model's Career<

When she was 4 years old, Lily Aldridge was photographed by Bruce Weber. An early campaign? No, just a look at the shoot of one of her older sisters, then a model for Ralph Lauren. But not enough to trigger her desire to become a model. Until she was eleven years old, this native of Santa Monica was indeed convinced that she would one day become a professional footballer. A vocation slightly thwarted in adolescence, when her beauty began to be noticed. "For years, I was a tomboy and suddenly everyone thought I was beautiful," she joked to "Tatler" in 2013. And it's not just those around her who attend her transformation. Aged 16, she catches the eye of a talent scout during a school carnival. Things follow from this moment and his first campaign, for the clothing brand Abercrombie & Fitch opens the doors of modeling to her with a capital “M”. Ironically, this major photo shoot is signed Bruce Weber, thereby completing the loop that began fifteen years earlier. But the top keeps a cool head. “I was so young, she explained to “Metro” in 2014. I didn’t really pay attention to it. When I was 18 or 19, I moved to New York and it all started. Her girl next door look makes her the favorite of high street brands. From Coach to Gap via Tommy Hilfiger or Levi's, she lends her face to the most contemporary labels while posing on the cover of numerous women's magazines.

But it wasn’t until 2009 that it gained the global recognition it enjoys today. The trigger ? A first fashion show for the lingerie brand Victoria's Secret. The following year, she was part of the new generation of models to be given a pair of wings and became a regular at the show, parading annually until 2018. A few years earlier, in 2014, it was also her perfect plastic which earned him the cover of the anniversary issue of "Sports Illustrated" and further supports his role as a modern icon.

His departure from Victoria's Secret also marks the beginning of a new phase in his career. The face of the Lauren by Ralph Lauren and Bulgari brands, she also launched her perfume brand in 2019. A carefully thought-out company, both in the scents approached and in the presentation. Responsible, the model indeed offers its products in sleek packaging and makes it a point of honor to repopulate the flora necessary for its adventure: for each tree felled to create the wooden caps of its bottles, five are replanted.

Doing #research on how to clean and/or #paint over some of my old #oils and #acrylics. Tap me if you have any sugge… https://t.co/Yb10zOqDLv

— dleeo Fri Jun 04 18:17:58 +0000 2021

An assertive philanthropist

And she's not content with just being a pretty face, she wants to get involved to make a difference thanks to the platform given to her. In 2010, she notably confided to the magazine "W" her intention to play a leading role in charities working for the well-being of children. More than ten years later, it is clear that she has kept her word: No Kid Hungry, World of Children, Everytown for Gun Safety or the Born Free Africa campaign and St. Jude Children's Hospital have all benefited from her dedication. More recently, she distinguished herself by posting a vlog on her Youtube channel narrating her multiple failures in the fashion industry. “We live in a world where everything is posted in a flattering light on Youtube and Instagram, like a best-of of our best moments”, she confided in 2019 to the magazine Marie-Claire. “Few people reveal the less cool parts of their lives. I want to do this, so young girls realize that we all have our ups and downs. »