Lily Aldridge has spoken out about women’s rights in the modelling world in light of the wave of sexual allegations across Hollywood.
Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, the 32-year-old Victoria’s Secret model revealed she was ‘fortunate’ not to have experienced any abuse personally, as she encouraged other women to speak out.
In a stunning accompanying photoshoot – where the mother-of-one dazzled in colourful gowns and Bulgari jewels – she explained: ‘It’s a very powerful time in our industry right now. Lots of women are standing up for their rights. Their right to say no, to stand up for themselves, to have boundaries.
Role model: Lily Aldridge has spoken out about women’s rights in the modelling world in light of the wave of sexual allegations across Hollywood while speaking to Harper’s Bazaar Arabia
‘It’s an amazing time as a woman, as a model, as a mother,’ she added.
Lily, who started modelling at the age of 16, explained: ‘I have been so fortunate in my career to have always worked with incredible companies.
‘I was very fortunate to start with big brands that always protected me and had my back… I think it’s so important right now to just make sure that you know your boundaries. Speak up, share your stories, spread the word. We have to have each other’s back and stand up proud for each other.’
Powerful: In a stunning accompanying photoshoot – where the mother-of-one dazzled in colourful gowns and Bulgari jewels – she explained: ‘It’s a very powerful time in our industry right now’
Fortunate: Lily, who started modelling at the age of 16, explained: ‘I have been so fortunate in my career to have always worked with incredible companies’
Lily is hoping to instill these values on her five-year-old daughter, Dixie, and admitted she had ‘mother’s guilt’ whenever she has to leave her to work.
‘You know, I wish I could just be there every second of the day,’ Lily admitted. ‘But then I’m also so proud that I’m a working mom and I always emphasise that to my daughter when I have to go to work. One day I think she’s going to be really proud.’
The brunette beauty revealed that one lesson she will definitely be teaching her daughter is to be wary of social media, as she reflected on her own experience with trolls.
Working mum: Lily is hoping to instill these values on her five-year-old daughter, Dixie, and admitted she had ‘mother’s guilt’ whenever she has to leave her to work
Trolled: The brunette beauty revealed that one lesson she will definitely be teaching her daughter is to be wary of social media, as she reflected on her own experience with trolls
Bullied: Discussing her own experiences, Lily – who boasts 5.2million Instagram followers – said: ‘Bullying in social media is so real, it’s so painful’
She admitted: ‘I do worry about my daughter. I’m hoping by the time she could get on social media it’s not cool any more. Because things go through waves and eventually the young generation will be like, “We want to be more private”. I’m hoping!’
Discussing her own experiences, Lily – who boasts 5.2million Instagram followers – said: ‘Bullying in social media is so real, it’s so painful. Anybody that’s been bullied for no reason can understand that.
‘You know, if you post a picture of yourself and you think you’re looking mah-jor and all these people start saying all “It’s a very powerful time right now. Lots of women are standing up for their rights. Their right to say no, to stand up for themselves, to have boundaries”.
Making changes: As well as championing self love, Lily is keen to celebrate all women, as she confessed that the fashion industry needs to work on becoming more diverse
Diverse: Lily reasoned ‘Women everywhere are all different. We don’t have a size, we don’t have the same beliefs or age. I feel like the industry’s changing so much for age, for diversity’
‘These mean things about you, it really hurts… Now I have thicker skin about it, I kind of just ignore it. I try not to read all the comments or stress myself out about it because life’s too short.
‘But it took a long time for me to get to that point where I can understand that some people have that bully mentality. But you have to stand up for yourself. Don’t let people bully you!’
Out now: Read the full interview in the December issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia
As well as championing self love, Lily is keen to celebrate all women, as she confessed that the fashion industry needs to work on becoming more diverse.
The Vogue covergirl reasoned: ‘Women everywhere are all different. We don’t have a size, we don’t have the same beliefs or age. I feel like the industry’s changing so much for age, for diversity, for body type.
‘There are no rules any more like there used to be 10 years ago. It’s a very exciting time because we’re all beautiful – every age, every body type – it’s empowering.
‘There’s still a long way to go and I can’t wait to see what the journey is 10 years from now. Just accepting each other, seeing the beauty inside each other, being empowering to other women. All that kind of stuff is more important now than looks or what size you are.’
Read the full interview in the December issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia
Yummy mummy: Lily shares five-year-old daughter Dixie with rocker husband Caleb Followill and she explained that she feels guilty leaving her at home when she has to work