Emma Chamberlain, the voice of Gen Z
Decked in Cartier Cartier’s latest ’s latest high jewelry collection Nature Sauvage, Emma Chamberlain talks about her blossoming career, from YouTube YouTube to fashion world insider and her personal journey with the brand.
Photography ALAN GELATI
Styling JARED ELLNER
Emma Chamberlain’s path to fame is decidedly 21st century. Chamberlain began her fashion career in 2017, when she was 16. “I was going through a tough time, and I needed a creative outlet. My dad said, Why don’t you make a YouTube channel? You love YouTube. You always wanted to be a YouTuber; why don’t you just do it? Chamberlain was hesitant, but she did it anyway. “By some miracle, it worked, and people liked it,” she says. Chamberlain’s channel gained a loyal following due to her self-deprecating humor, creative styling choices, and laid-back, cheeky video editing including abrupt pauses, text on screen, and quick cuts. Seven years later, Chamberlain, now 23, is a front-row fixture and one of Vogue’s Met Gala correspondents. On the heels of Paris couture week in late June, the Cartier ambassador modeled the Chryseis necklace and ring from Nature Sauvage, Cartier’s new high jewelry collection, and spoke to L’OFFICIEL about her growing fascination with fine jewelry.
L’OFFICIEL: What’s your favorite bag?
EMMA CHAMBERLAIN: My favorite bag is the black square Prada bag, a re-edition of a 1995 bag. This bag comes with me everywhere. I got it at the airport, of all places. I was in the airport with a bunch of extra time and I was like, I’m just gonna walk around to see what’s in the stores. And I never do that, but I found the most perfect bag. It’s rectangular and itt kind of looks like a briefcase. It’s so chic, it’s shiny, and it’s got the most beautiful silver hardware. It’s perfect.
L’O: What’s in your bag?
EC: Obviously I have my wallet; I have my keys. I always bring a Swiss Army knife. You never know when you might need a toothpick, or mini scissors, or mini tweezers. It’s a new addition, but they are so handy. You can’t bring them on the plane, so don’t make that mistake. What else do I have in my bag… I always have my phone and my portable charger. I always have, like, three lip products, minimum: lip liner, always a lip liner and a hydrating, tinted lip balm. If I’m going out, I have lipstick in a warm, brownish, nude-ish pink, almost like my natural shade but a bit darker. I always have hand sanitizer. I’m pretty boring; I like to travel light.
L’O: The most sauvage moment in your career?
EC: It was probably at my first Met Gala [2021], when I did the red carpet interviews. I had never done any interviews like that in my life. I had no training. I had no idea what I was doing. I also had a sauvage moment at Vogue World [in Paris, in June of this year]. I wore a full Rick Owens look. It was a tiny little top. It was a risky fashion move, but I’m so glad I did it. There was a lot of room for a fashion emergency.
L’O: Tell me about your relationship with Cartier.
EC: I’ve been working with Cartier for a few years now. What’s been so exciting for me is learning about the world of jewelry. Prior to working with Cartier, I didn’t really know a lot. I was sort of thrown into the world of fine jewelry. It’s so different from what I expected: the artistry that goes into creating such complex and beautiful pieces. I was particularly excited about learning about watches, because the watches are so detailed. Every little gear inside the watch... It’s so spectacular. I’ve learned so much about jewelry. Cartier taught me how to incorporate really incredible pieces into my looks. I wasn’t previously exposed to this type of jewelry, so I really learned how to incorporate it into my style for red carpets and these special moments.
«Prior to working with Cartier, I didn't really know a lot. I was sort of thrown into the world of fine jewelry»
L’O: What’s your first Cartier memory?
EC: My first Cartier memory actually happened around the time of my first Met Gala. I was shopping the day after [in New York]. I was in a vintage store and I found this beautiful Cartier watch. It was gold, super dainty, circular, whimsical, and gorgeous. I was like, This is the most perfect watch I’ve ever seen. In the back of my mind, I was looking for something to remember the Met Gala by, but I wasn’t sure what that was going to be. I wanted to reward myself for accomplishing something that was on my bucket list. I bought it, and it was such a special purchase. I’ve worn it so much since, and it’s still one of my favorite pieces of jewelry in my collection. It was intimate and special, and that was before I was even working with Cartier. We didn’t have a relationship yet, but I was falling in love with them before even knowing the team and what goes into making the jewelry.
L’O: How do you incorporate Cartier into your everyday wear?
EC: It’s funny; everyone knows me for the hoops I wear: the Love hoops. I wear them literally every single day. If I’m not wearing them, people are like, Is she okay? Something’s off. Did somebody clone her? Is she a clone? The clone is not wearing the hoops. I have the white gold, and I have the yellow gold. They’re a staple. I also have those in my bag, to go back to the other question. I always have a pair of hoops in my bag, unless they’re on [my ears].
L’O: What’s so special about Cartier?
EC: They have these incredibly beautiful statement pieces, but they also have gorgeous, more minimal, day-to-day pieces that you might see me wearing: the simple watches, the simple hoops. Cartier has welcomed me with open arms and taught me everything there is to know about jewelry, and I’ve been so grateful to go on this journey with them as my shaman, my jewelry shaman in a way. Moments when I get to wear special pieces like this transform me into a different version of myself. They make me feel like a character because, you know, I’m a casual gal and there’s nothing casual about this. This is elegant; this is very chic.
Jewelry throughout CARTIER HIGH JEWELRY
HAIR: Miguel Martin Perez @ A-FRAME AGENCY
MAKE UP: Sophia Sinot @ A-FRAME AGENCY
SPECIAL THANKS: The Peninsula Hotel Paris
