Californian beauty, Gigi Hadid, is the face of our favourite new brand on ZALORA — TOPSHOP! Having signed to IMG models in 2011, Hadid is part of the ultimate Instagirl group, along with best friends, Taylor Swift and Kendall Jenner. With just under 6 million Instagram followers, Gigi’s social media success has propelled her into a world of high-fashion commercials and appearances in several international issues of Vogue, Grazia and CR Fashion Book. TOPSHOP is not Hadid’s first campaign either; she’s previously landed campaigns with Guess, Tom Ford, Seafolly and Maybelline, and has even veered into runway territory, walking for the likes of Tommy Hilfiger, Marc Jacobs and Chanel.
Launched in stores, online, and in print this month, TOPSHOP’s Fall ’15 campaign was shot by Tyrone Lebon and styled by TOPSHOP’s creative director Kate Phelan. The photographs feature Hadid looking effortlessly cool in the latest threads by the leading fashion retailer. “Working with Gigi Hadid on this campaign continues to strengthen our international vision for the TOPSHOP brand,” said Sir Philip Green. “We are continually developing our footprint across all markets with ambitious plans both in the UK and internationally, and I feel like Gigi is an ideal ambassador to underpin these efforts”.
Hadid’s Cali-cool, almost normcore, way of dressing during the day has made her somewhat of a casual style icon. Her chic pairings of high-waisted denim shorts and cute boyfriend tees paired with battered high-rise trainers and stacked midi rings make her laidback style even more lust-worthy. Hadid’s dramatic red-carpet looks are often jaw droppingly fabulous and hot too! Floor-length numbers are roughened up with a side split or a super low V-neck front. Add some fierce bling and sharp stilettos and Hadid’s rock chic ensemble is complete.
With her super covetable style, to-die-for wardrobe and high-profile friendships, TOPSHOP asks Hadid what it was like to star in Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ music video, be the face of TOPSHOP, plus her thoughts on supermodels making a comeback.
How does it feel to be TOPSHOP’s campaign girl?
It’s 100 per cent cool. I just love anything TOPSHOP. I really enjoyed the shoot because it didn’t feel forced or posed — which I think is very much my style too.
Any favourite looks?
The Mom jeans with tie-up shirt and leather jacket are very me. With TOPSHOP, it’s so easy to put pieces together and look effortlessly cool. You can find great basics but also really standout ones that make your outfit look better immediately. It’s all about mixing the highs and lows.
How would you describe your everyday style?
I like to say casual chic because I have to be comfortable, but also like to stay on trend. My Met Ball after-party look was a Versace mini dress with adidas trainers. On a normal day, I’ll usually start with a simple pair of jeans and a T-shirt, then pick a cool pair of boots or a jacket to build more statement pieces on top.
What is it like having a sister in the same industry?
It’s fun that we get to experience fame together without becoming competitive or weird. I’m also lucky that we don’t look exactly the same. Bella’s style is a lot more bad*ss than mine! I think that’s what people like about us together — we’re complete opposites but we complement each other as well. We’re really close — she makes me laugh so hard.
What do you think it’s like being a model in 2015, compared to the ’90s supermodels?
I’ve heard from a lot of people in the industry that the ‘supermodel’ is coming back, which is really exciting for me. For a long time you would see a girl for one season and then you’d never really hear about her again. Now models are getting to create a fanbase that keeps them around.
Do you think social media has had a part to play in this?
I guess that’s the biggest difference today. We live in a time where you’re not just a fan of a model because you like her picture in the magazine but you like her sense of humour. Or you might have the same style or like the same pizza and were able to share those things through social media. That’s what people want to follow — they want to see us hanging out outside of the studio, or backstage at the show. The whole ‘squad goals’ thing is a big part of our generation — I think that’s what is helping us create a new supermodel crew.
You’re also part of the Instagram generation — what do you love about it?
It’s about being able to look inside at worlds that you wouldn’t normally experience. It’s not even about celebrity versus non-celebrity — one of my best friends’ sister is travelling the world saving whales and she’s posting underwater pictures every day. It’s cool to work in a generation where we have that tool.
What makes the cut on your Instagram?
I just share my favourite pictures. I don’t feel the need to post something just for the sake of it or for work. I normally lean towards more real, beautiful images — like street style photographers who are shooting on film instead of ones from image sites.
Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad Blood’ video starred everyone from Cara Delevingne to Lena Dunham. What was it like being a part of that?
The Taylor video was absolutely epic. I’ve never been on a production that huge. What people don’t understand about how massive it was is that none of those were green screens they’re all real sets — so the effort that Taylor and Joseph put in to make it seem like a real bad*ss secret agent training camp is unreal. It was like the supermodel Hunger Games.
Any backstage stories?
Shooting with your friends is just amazing — it went by so quickly. We didn’t stop shooting till midnight and ordered in over 50 burgers and fries meals and just sat around devouring everything. After walking around in huge heels through gravelly dirt all day, all we wanted were burgers.
Who would you ask to star in your own music video?
I’d just want all my friends to be in it. Our friendship group is really about supporting each other. It’s something that Taylor and I have talked about a lot. That’s what we want to leave behind and be known for — to be a generation where it was cool to be nice to each other.
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