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Credit: Steven Chee
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The pilgrimage to becoming an internationally eminent supermodel relies heavily on the strength of one’s existing link to a high-profile name (and the fanciness of this subject’s coat-tails). Call it a rite of passage by which each trailblazing millennial must navigate, in 2017 it’s of ubiquitous belief that it is indeed harder to get a look-in from a head-honcho agent if you’re not already sort of somebody – be it, at best, by blood or at least by association.
Keeping to this sentiment, every so often an American reality television series commits a new model discovery to it’s screen; a plot line whereby one of its cast members follows their daughter’s path to getting face time with Teen Vogue or Tommy Hilfiger (and is always assisted by way of hash-tagging #proudmama on their Instagram accounts nonetheless). Such was the case for Delilah Belle Hamlin, daughter of 90s soap-star turned The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills cast member Lisa Rinna and Mad Men actor Harry Hamlin, only her narrative was dissimilar from the cliché. “I never really thought, ‘Oh I want to be a model,’” says 19-year-old Hamlin who, just like the Plain White T’s told us, is off to New York City (in January to study criminal psychology). “When I was younger, it wasn’t like, ‘This is what I want to do’, it just kind of happened and I’m really grateful for that because I get to travel so much and meet all these really amazing people. The show definitely was a good platform, it got me more attention and led me to the opportunities I have today.”
“As far as people thinking my parents helped me get a leg up in the industry, it wasn’t only because of them…”. Hamlin pauses. “It’s kind of sad to hear that.”
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Credit: Steven Chee
LOUIS VUITTON EMBELLISHED SLEEVELESS TOP, $9,100.
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Aptly shooting for GRAZIA today in a classic, sprawling mid-century home in the West Hollywood Hills, the sun drenches the city of Los Angeles below. A lot of people trek to this height in Hollywood – be it via Runyon Canon or the Griffith Park West trail loop – each breathing in the crisp air, their dreams not yet realised, and reminding themselves of why they moved to this fickle town. For most, they will head-home after pilot season or post an audition, egos squashed. For Hamlin though who is already well-known in this city, the horizon stands for the magnitude of fame that waits beyond it. But having a pretty face and strong Instagram following isn’t enough when you are speaking to a generation of women who are empathetic to feminism and cause. As quickly as one star may rise, droves of internet trolls are waiting to drag another down at any tone-deaf turn. (Case in point: Kendall Jenner’s insensitive Pepsi commercial set off a string of PR disasters.) Today, the internet says that a young woman worthy of a following must stand for something, she must be an aficionado at something, she must be something. And Hamlin is all too aware of all of these things. “When I see someone and think ‘she’s an it girl’, she is positive and setting really good examples for women – and usually has great fashion,” she smiles. “The scariest thing about people following you though, and being an influencer, is you are in the public eye and people will question what you do and whether it’s OK or not. I do have to think more about what I post and what I do. My dad always reminds me that everyone is watching and to be really careful.”
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After signing to a model management in August 2016, Hamlin landed her first runway show with the lauded Hilfiger just one month later at New York Fashion Week. “I was terrified,” Hamlin unashamedly admits. “I was literally so scared because I was a shrimp in the corner. All these girls were six-foot and I was just sitting there like, ‘I don’t want to go out there. I didn’t know anyone backstage and I was kind of just alone.” But come her second show for the designer – this time on Venice Beach in her hometown – Hamlin felt a little more at ease before show time. It was here – in the car park of the Erwin Hotel on Pacific Drive which was converted into a makeshift dressing room – that Hamlin saw the powerhouses at work: Gigi and Bella Hadid, Devon Windsor, Sara Sampaio, Romee Stridj… the list went on. It was the co-designer of the collection and model-of-the-moment Gigi who taught a nervous Hamlin how to walk. “Just walk like you’re walking down the street to get food…but you’re not really hungry, but you’re just kind of hungry,” was Gigi’s advice which we can only presume translates to walking, casually, with purpose. “We get compared a lot,” admits Hamlin. “And if I was her, I’d probably be like, ‘that’s annoying’. She’s been really nice, she’s a really nice girl.” The advice must have worked as Hamlin went on to walk in millenial-heavy shows for Dolce and Gabbana. (“After the show, I actually had a little party in my hotel room with Sophoa Richie, Karsen Liotta and Rose Gilroy. We ordered pizza and listened to music.”) On the bucket list is the Victoria Secret show and Chanel, Hamlin citing Lagerfeld’s extravagant set designs as the drawcard.
Credit: Steven Chee
MATTEAU PEBBLED CHALK TRIANGLE TOP, $120.
GUCCI NECKLACE WITH INTERLOCKING G, $320.
Gigi’s mother Yolanda and Hamlin’s mother are of course both RHOBV stars and – like mutual friend and supermodel Cindy Crawford – both are wildly protective over their girls. “They’ve all taught me a lot,” Hamlin muses. “Growing up, I think Mum was the perfect amount of being a best friend as she was being a parent. She wasn’t really strict but she and dad definitely set boundaries which I’m grateful for. I couldn’t stay out really late and I couldn’t wear a lot of makeup. I couldn’t wear clothes that showed a lot of skin but now that I’m older, Mum trusts I make good judgement.” Her attire of choice is a “hoodie and heels” for the record, some fancy looking coat-tails indeed for her own children to trail-blaze when Hamlin’s star is undoubtedly imprinted on the bright lights below. Watch this pillowy pout.
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BEAUTY NOTES By Delilah Belle Hamlin
“My beauty muse is my mum… I look up to a lot of people who have really nice skin.”
“If I’m heading out, I chill on the foundation… If I’m seeing someone or I have blemishes then I will wear it. Otherwise, I don’t really wear a lot of makeup. I don’t like foundation that much because it tends to break me out. I’d prefer to keep my skin clear and just wear mascara.”
“The biggest beauty lesson my mum taught was the importance of suncream… She was like, ‘You have to wear it or you’ll get wrinkles!’”
“My cure to jetlag is hydration… I use an extra moisturizer, drink a tonne of water and I get a facial at my destination!”
“My favourite makeup rule to break is to over-illuminate… I think I use too much highlighter. I don’t think you’re supposed to do that!”
“If I threw the ultimate Slumber party, I’d have it at Sephora… I went to one of their store openings and nothing had been tested or touched, everything was brand new and I got to be the first one in there. It was the best thing ever. I actually wouldn’t invite anyone to this slumber party, it’d just be me. All for me [laughs].”
“Beauty expectations have been a bit difficult to deal because of social media… But I think I’m doing a pretty good job at accepting myself and not trying to change myself to fit beauty norms.”
Credit: Steven Chee
CALVIN KLEIN SEAMLESS CROP TOP, CK PERFORMANCE $80.
JASMINE BONDED MAILOTT, LISA MARIE FERNANDEZ FROM PAM PAM, $455.
EARRING, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO, $425.
Credit: Steven Chee
CALVIN KLEIN SEAMLESS CROP TOP, CK PERFORMANCE $80.
JASMINE BONDED MAILOTT, LISA MARIE FERNANDEZ FROM PAM PAM, $455.
EARRING, SALVATORE FERRAGAMO, $425.
CREW
Photography: Steven Chee/DLM
Fashion Director: Charlotte Stokes
Model: Delilah Belle Hamlin/IMG
Creative Direction: Justine O’Donnell
Hair: J. Michael/DLM US Using Oribe
Makeup: Nathan Hejl/ Atelier Management
Location: Shot in West Hollywood, California.
Special thanks to the Mondrian Hotel
