51-year-old Massachusetts mom becomes an unlikely style icon

A 51-year-old mom has become an unlikely style icon after her teenage daughter started showing off her chic looks on TikTok.

Larissa Mills, from Beverly, Massachusetts, has earned a series of major deals with the likes of Gap and Anthropologie after making her debut on the video-sharing platform last year.

She has since spoken about the assumption that ‘you can no longer be seen as a fashionable person in your own right’ after you become a mom – and is now encouraging others to showcase their own style.

Here, FEMAIL reveals how a chance post on social media catapulted Larissa into the limelight.

Larissa’s journey began when her teenage daughter posted a TikTok clip which quickly went viral 

In March 2022, Larissa’s daughter Ella, then 17, took to TikTok with a nonchalant video of her mom walking around the family kitchen.

She uploaded the clip as part of the trend which asked people to ‘show your mom and then your pantry.’

And, when the teen put Larissa in front of camera, she looked effortlessly chic.

Larissa was sporting black trousers, a blue shirt and Converse before pulling the look together with a beige overcoat – and followers were left mesmerized. 

In March 2022, Larissa’s daughter Ella, then 17, took to TikTok with a nonchalant video of her mom walking around the family kitchen

Social media users flooded the clip with praise for the unlikely style guru and said that they were now ‘obsessed’

The video quickly took off and, to date, has more than 7.3 million views as social media users flooded the clip with praise for the unlikely style guru.

Many said that they were now ‘obsessed’ with Larissa as one urged: ‘Need to see more of her outfits!’

Another simply added: ‘I want to be her omg.’

And a third said: ‘She is a true silent fashion icon!’

It was here that Larissa’s whirlwind journey into the fashion industry began. 

How the 51-year-old teamed up with her daughter to capitalize on the limelight 

Ella started posting regular ‘outfit of the day’ clips to her page, which showcased her mom’s signature style.

Larissa’s wardrobe consists of relaxed silhouettes, elevated basics and a variety of brands – both high and low end.

She has often spoken about how the basis of her outfits is always comfort – but that she is also a ‘sucker for texture.’

Previously issuing fashion advice to Who What Wear, Larissa, who is 5ft 4in, said that ‘flip-flops immediately de-fuss any outfit’ and praised ‘the lengthening effect wearing all one color provides.’

Ella started posting regular ‘outfit of the day’ clips to her page which showcased her mom’s signature style 

The style icon also added that she would ‘never save a special piece of jewelry for an event’ – and instead often teams it with sweatpants or T-shirts.

And thousands of fashion fans have been lapping up her advice with her content being regularly met with raptures of praise.

Larissa now has more than 201,000 followers on Instagram, with daughter Ella gaining more than 248,000 fans on TikTok.

The 51-year-old has previously spoken about the growing interest in her wardrobe. 

Larissa’s wardrobe consists of relaxed silhouettes, elevated basics and a variety of brands – both high and low end

Previously issuing fashion advice to Who What Wear, Larissa, who is 5ft 4in, praised ‘the lengthening effect wearing all one color provides’

She told Fashionista: ‘It’s weird to me that the mom thing is still sticking — like, once you’re a mom, you cut your hair and you can no longer be seen as a fashionable person in your own right.’

Elaborating further on her new-found fame, she said: ‘I get a lot of DMs about this — to be 50 and to not have given up. 

‘I also get DMs about parenting that say, like, “I wish my mom supported me more,” or, “I want to have a relationship like yours.” 

‘So there is something that I do feel is an emotional component in this capturing of a relationship.’

The style guru’s popularity reached new heights after landing deals with major brands 

It wasn’t long before Larissa caught the eye of some major brands including Anthropologie, Gap and Jenni Kayne. 

Last month, Larissa appeared on Anthropologie’s TikTok account in a series of paid partnership clips.

One was captioned: ‘Styling class is in session with #AnthroAmbassador Larissa Mills, and we’re taking notes.’

She stepped out in an eye-catching ensemble that consisted of Larroudé Kate Patent Leather Boots ($485), a Sadie Halter Tie Gown ($248), a Nadya Belt Bag ($38) and a Maeve Double-Breasted Blazer ($170).

It wasn’t long before Larissa (pictured on set) caught the eye of some major brands including Anthropologie, Gap and Jenni Kayne

And, in another clip for the brand, she slipped into something a little more risque with Anthropologie captioning the video: ‘Who’s that girl? None other than the incredibly stunning Larissa Mills.’

It is not known how much Larissa has made from the deal – but it isn’t the only paid partnership that she has been offered since being thrust into the limelight.

She and daughter Ella have also posted a series of promotional videos for Gap.

In one, Larissa gushed over the brand as she said: ‘I cannot believe that I have been wearing Gap since I was in high school.’

Last month, Larissa appeared on Anthropologie’s TikTok account in a series of paid partnership clips 

She said that she had continued to love it through the various stages of her life and had even put her children, including Ella, in Baby Gap clothing.

The duo then flaunted their Gap ensembles as they listed the items on display – and fashion fans lapped it up.

Most recently, Larissa, who now describes herself on LinkedIn as a ‘Fashion Content Creator,’ featured in ads for high-end lifestyle brand Jenni Kayne.

Neither Larissa nor Ella has disclosed what is next for the mother-daughter duo going forward, but thousands of fans will be hoping that they keep serving style inspiration.