Public Desire x Hailey Baldwin: a masterclass in model off-duty style
One of Hollywood’s coolest exports, Hailey Baldwin has been quietly, but confidently, making her mark on the fashion industry. Since signing to IMG in March, the 19-year-old, A-list offspring (her dad is actor Stephen Baldwin) has fronted campaigns for Topshop, Guess and Tommy Hilfiger, and walked the catwalks of New York, London, Milan and Paris.
Her chameleonic image has led her to assume many personas, transforming from a punky club kid with bleached-out brows at emerging London designer Matty Bovan to a smouldering Sicilian beauty at Dolce and Gabbana. As well as becoming a regular (and envy-inducing) street style star with her on-point off-duty supermodel style.
Now, Hailey has turned her hand to designing and has launched a collaboration with British label Public Desire. The 10-piece collection (from ankle-length to thigh-skimming boots to strappy stilettos) is made up of exactly the sort of cool shoes you’d expect find in the wardrobes of Hailey and her celebrity BFF’s Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner.
Ahead of the launch - and following her hints that she may be set to walk at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2016 - we sat down with Hailey to talk everything from ‘can’t live without’ make-up products to Bible verses.
How did the collaboration with Public Desire first come about?
I’ll never collaborate or put my name on something that I wouldn’t use personally or that I won’t wear myself. Public Desire made a lot of sense, I [was] a fan of their shoes to begin with. I’m also doing a make-up collaboration with Model Co. in Australia, that comes out in November. It’s really cool to be able to do that too.
Is fashion design something you’d like to do full-time in the future?
I really enjoy the process but I imagine it becomes quite hard when you have a big line, like Victoria Beckham and the Olsen twins - I imagine it to be very, very hard work. I think I’d like to get into skin products and make-up rather than clothes.
You walked in a lot of shows over fashion month – did you have a favourite?
Dolce was really cool. That has literally always been my dream show to walk in, so it was definitely my highlight.
You bleached your eyebrows for the Matty Bovan show, how do you feel about going to beauty extremes for fashion shows and shoots?
I think it’s cool to transform yourself; it’s one of the things I like most about modelling. I like to be unrecognizable. I did a Philipp Plein campaign once that I was very, very pale in and wore a long black wig with bangs. No one ever recognised me in it, it was really cool.
What are the biggest challenges in the modelling industry?
The schedule is crazy, and the criticism is really challenging; it’s not the easiest thing ever to be so scrutinised. But I do stop and think ‘What am I really complaining about?’ It’s an amazing job to do.
How would you describe your own personal style?
It differs every single day but I always want to be really classy. I want to remind people that at the end of the day, class is key. I think that people are attracted to that more than anything.
Which brands do you love wearing?
Right now I’m wearing Louis Vuitton boots, which are my favourites right now, a KTZ bomber and Brockenbow jeans. I’m obsessed with these jeans; it’s a new Parisian label and I had my stylist get every single pair. I also really like this brand called Unravel, they make really cooled distressed streetwear, it's a brand I wear most days. I love Faith Connexion, Mugler, Saint Laurent, the list could really go on, honestly. Chanel, obviously.
Tell us about your make-up routine, are there any products you just can’t live without?
I’m using a lot of Charlotte Tilbury stuff lately. Overall, I like to keep it very simple; I like to look natural and glowy. I’ll wear a little sparkle on my eyes and a little mascara. For me, a good highlighter is the key.
Do you feel the pressure to wear make up every time you leave the house because you get photographed so often now?
I really don’t care; if I’m make-up free, I’m make-up free. I don’t mind being photographed without make-up on, but if I don’t really feel like dealing with it, I just throw on a pair of sunglasses.
Is there a particular trend that you’re excited to wear this season?
I’m excited for big jackets, big sweaters and being able to go outside in leather in New York and not feel like I’m about to die of heatstroke.
Is there anything that it would surprise people to know about you?
I think it surprises people how normal I actually am, and how I, to an extent, try my best to be low key about everything. I just keep to myself and try to be grounded. I think people expect you to be like, a brat.
Is there anyone you’ve met that’s left you star struck?
I’ve never been affected by people’s status and who people are. I’m definitely fans of certain people, I’m a fan of Rihanna, I’ve met her and it didn’t make me star struck I just think she’s really dope. I’m a big fan of John Mayer’s music I met him and I was like ‘Woah!’
You have a few tattoos now, do you have a favourite?
I really like the one I have on the back of my neck that says ‘seek’. I just think it’s really dainty and in a cool spot. In the Bible, it’s a word you see a lot. It’s something that pops up in a lot of verses that are important to me, and I just think it’s a good word to live by, you know: seek things out, seek and you shall find.
Public Desire x Hailey Baldwin is available online now.
Prices range from £34.99 - £49.99.
