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It’s been a minute since a model has captured our attention like Leni Klum, who is following in the footsteps of her supermodel mother Heidi Klum. The Daily sat down with the 22-year-old beauty to talk about stepping into the family business, what she’s learned from her mom, and everything she’s been cooking this summer.
Was modeling something you’ve always wanted to do?
Yes! I would go to work with mom all the time [growing up], and I saw how happy she was and how fun her job was. As a child, I would force her glam team to do glam on me. That started at around 4 years old! There are photos of me as a baby in the makeup chair. I begged her at around 12 years old that I wanted to model and do what she did. She finally let me do it at 16.
What was the appeal for you?
Watching how happy she was. On set she was smiling and laughing all the time. That’s work for her and she loves it!
You’re now signed with IMG Models. What are your goals in the fashion business?
I want to be happy with the job that I’m doing. I know there are a lot of people who aren’t. I want to be
excited to go to work and be excited on the set and love what I’m doing and look forward to it. That’s my main goal right now.
That’s a great goal! What have been some of your favorite memories so far?
I love building relationships with brands. I love working with brands like Intimissimi. It’s now my fifth year with them. I just did the Guess campaign, which was amazing. It’s also the people I meet through work, which is so special to me.
How did the Guess gig go?
The shoot was amazing. We shot it in London. It came out just a few weeks after we shot it, which I was so happy about. I always try to keep everything a secret, which is difficult. Being on set with them was great. I grew up wearing Guess, so I was familiar with the brand. It’s almost like a full circle moment after wearing the brand and growing up with it, and now I’m working for them. It was so special.
Guess is known for putting emerging stars in their campaigns. How did it feel to get that job?
Originally, I was shocked. Am I reading this right? Obviously, I was 100 percent doing this! I was so excited. I remember looking back at the e-mail multiple times, looking at the shoot day, because I was so excited to get on set and meet everyone. I got the photos back almost immediately, and I loved everything. It was really cool.
When modeling for brands like Intimissimi, are you nervous shooting in lingerie?
I’m very comfortable in my body. Growing up with a mom who was comfortable with her body made it easy for me to be comfortable with my body. The first time I worked with them, I had just turned 18, and my mom was on set and that helped. I was always a little nervous at first, so it was great to have her on set, like for the Vogue Germany cover.’
Yes! You started with a bang on the cover of German Vogue with your mom.
I was so scared. I was freaking out on the morning of [shooting] it. But there was nothing to freak out about. I had the best day. I was grateful my mom was there. I think I was more nervous for the interview part because I had never spoken to a journalist before. It wasn’t just posing in front of the camera. Luckily, my mom held my hand the whole time.
Lenii Klum and Heidi Klum (Getty Images)
What are your interests outside of work?
I love to cook! I want to go to culinary school. I just graduated from college, so that’s next. I cook most of my meals and have so much fun with it.
What’s your favorite thing to cook?
Chicken soup! Every Sunday, I make chicken soup, so I have a bunch left over in the fridge.
What do you put in it?
Basically, every vegetable! Spinach, zucchini, peas, carrots, celery, brussels sprouts, and a lot of garlic. Like a whole head. Cauliflower sometimes. It’s really
whatever I have in my fridge. I’m a big vegetable person!
Clearly! Tell us more about your graduation.
Originally, I went to Parsons and studied interior design, then I transferred to NYU where I graduated. I was studying online, so I was able to travel for work. I’m glad it’s over now, but I did enjoy it when I was in school. I’m not a fan of homework! Other than that, it was great.
Did you do anything to celebrate?
I was shooting Guess on graduation day. I still got my diploma!
You grew up in Los Angeles and now you’re a New York girl. What do you love about city life?
I love how fast-paced it is. It’s very different from L.A. I loved living in L.A., but now that I’m here, I love it even more. I’m going to stay here for a while. I love being able to walk wherever you want to go. Everything feels so much closer and more lively. You can’t really walk around in L.A. and get from A to B.
Are you into fashion?
I am a fashion girlie. I love dressing up, but normally I dress pretty chill. I wear basics and oversize clothes. I wear most of my boyfriend’s clothes. I love fashion. I love Dolce&Gabbana and Miu Miu. I love Gap. I made the biggest order from them recently! I also love thrifted pieces.
Is there anything you would never wear?
Water shoes! There’s a gap for each toe. I would never!
What’s your relationship with your mother like?
It’s great. We’re best friends. We talk and FaceTime every day. We send photos back and forth all the time. She’s definitely sad that I don’t live with her anymore, but she comes to visit and I always go back to visit her.
Did you tell her you were going to be on the cover of The Daily?
I did! She’s very excited. I’ve sent her photos [from shoots] in the past and tell her that this isn’t out yet but I want her to see them, and she’ll post them on her stories and I tell her that she can’t do that. Now I don’t send them to her anymore. She sees it when everyone sees it, but she knows I’m doing the shoot. I’ll tell her all about it.
Your mom famously loves Halloween. What’s your favorite holiday?
I love Halloween. I just don’t think I love it as much as she does. I don’t go as full-out as she does. I tried a little bit last year. I was A Bad Case of Stripes; it’s a children’s book. I was covered in stripes. That’s about as full-out as I’ve ever been. I also love Christmas!
Do you have a favorite costume your mom has worn?
I love the worm. That was the first year I went to her Halloween party. We never spend Halloween with her because she’d fly to New York and we were in L.A. Seeing the costume in real life doesn’t compare to the photos online. I would have loved to have seen the old woman [costume] she wore.
We know so much about your mother. What would people be surprised to know about you?
I want to go to culinary school and learn how to cook anything without a recipe and chop an onion properly. I don’t think anyone knows how often I cook, either.
Is acting something you’re interested in?
Never say never. I do admire actors and actresses. I’m just not sure if I would remember my lines. But I would be open to it.
We could see you hosting something! Did you grow up going to the Hamptons?
I’ve only been two or three times and have loved it. The weather is gorgeous. Every part of it is beautiful. I love Hampton Chutney Co. in East Hampton. They have this savory pancake with curry chicken inside or you can do braised beef. It’s amazing. I go every time that I’m out there.
What’s your favorite season?
It’s either summer or fall. I love being in a bikini all the time and tanning and being with friends. I also love the fall and winter to bundle up. I love putting on layers and grabbing hot chocolate. Very opposite seasons, but I love both.
What do you look forward to every summer? Any plans?
Bikinis all day! I’m going on a family trip at the end of the summer for about two weeks, which I’m excited about. It’s going to be bikinis and family!
What do you think about this shoot today?
I saw the moodboard, but I walked in, and they said they had an actual pool [on set] for me. I didn’t think there was an actual pool. Normally, it would just be edited in. It’s such a cool shoot, and I’m so happy to be a part of it. The clothes are amazing. I love my glam and the team. It’s a great day!
PHOTOGRAPHY & ART DIRECTION BY JORDAN MILLINGTON LIQUORICE
STYLING: MATTHEW MAZUR, THE ONLY AGENCY HAIR: MICHAEL THOMAS LOLLO, THE ONLY AGENCY MAKEUP: CLAUDIA NEACSU, THE ONLY AGENCY SET DESIGNER: PHILIPP HAEMMERLE PRODUCER: ELIZABETH KLINE MURPHY
Fashion credits available on issuu (above)
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