Lila Moss on Runways, Sarong Summer, and Creating Her Own Barbie

On Instagram, Lila Moss recently reshared an old photo she’s discussed in interviews often. In it, she is scowling and wearing a tiny fur coat, and her mom, Kate Moss, is holding her hand. It’s the kind of image you’d want to share with your friends, even if it wasn’t an iconic paparazzi photo. It’s very much a mommy-and-me moment you want on display, equal parts funny and cute. She’s told journalists about how she’s always been protective of her mom and had to learn quickly what it was like to have flashing cameras go off in your face when you least expect it.

But when Moss hops on a Zoom call with me from the Kate Moss Agency office in London, she’s not scowling. She’s smiling and soft-spoken. Despite having grown up around paparazzi, she seems unaffected and sunny, excited to discuss the path that she’s forging for herself. At just 23 years old, Moss has already graced the cover of British Vogue, starred in a Marc Jacobs beauty campaign, and walked the runway for brands such as Coperni, Versace, Miu Miu, and Victoria’s Secret. On Instagram, she shares it all with her nearly 900,000 followers with short, quippy captions that give off the cool, insouciant essence her generation is known for. In a recent photo dump of Coachella, Moss wrote, “Time of my life!!!!”

While I’m talking to her, Moss feels more earnestly excited than nonchalant. You can feel the exclamation points in her tone. Growing up around fashion meant she always had an inkling she’d perhaps end up following in her mother’s footsteps despite her initial hesitation. Now, she’s just grateful to be part of the chaos backstage at a show or on set at a photo shoot. She’s also using the space to advocate for causes she cares about. For example, she’s often photographed in editorials proudly wearing her type 1 diabetes tech.

Moss talked to me about the designer who made her truly believe modeling was a reality for her, the lessons she’s learned from her mom, and how she ended up working on the first-ever diabetic Barbie.

I’d love to hear how you decided that you wanted to pursue modeling. What was that decision like?