In a recent Vogue interview, Scarlett White shares cherished memories of growing up in a fashion-forward environment shaped by her supermodel mother, Karen Elson.
Scarlett White, the daughter of renowned supermodel Karen Elson, shares a nostalgic reflection on her early childhood, notably marked by memories of her mother’s impressive walk-in wardrobe. Speaking during a Zoom interview with Vogue, White vividly remembers the wardrobe’s pink carpets and her mother’s stunning slip dresses, expressing how she longed to dress like Elson, who has made significant contributions to the fashion industry over her three-decade career.
Elson, often referred to as the “red flame” from Oldham, joined the interview from her Nashville home, discussing her approach to introducing her daughter to fashion. “Because I’m so deep in the fashion industry, I never wanted to force my style upon Scarlett—or force fashion upon her at all, really,” Elson stated. However, she recalled a time when she dressed White in vintage 1940s-style peacoats when she was younger. That particular practice ceased after a mishap during a Steven Meisel photoshoot, where a photographer mistook White for a vintage doll, prompting Elson to rethink her styling choices.
Despite her initial desire not to influence her daughter too heavily, Elson recognizes the influence of her extensive collection of rare vintage finds, couture pieces, and letters from world-renowned designers on White’s burgeoning fashion sense. “When she became a teenager, I’d head up into Scarlett’s bedroom and go, ‘Oh that’s where the Galliano dress has gone. That’s where the Jean Paul Gaultier top went,’” Elson recounted with a smile, manifesting a sense of pride in watching her daughter explore her own fashion identity.
White confirmed that she often borrows pieces from her mother’s extensive wardrobe. “Oh my God, yeah, all the time,” she admitted, albeit bashfully, while Elson humorously noted the recent disappearance of a Marc Jacobs cardigan that had been spotted on White, which had previously belonged to her. When discussing her friends’ reactions to her fashion access, White shared that while her friends may not feel jealous, they frequently ask to borrow her mother’s items. “Sometimes I let them, but sometimes it’s too special—I can’t just give out her archival runway clothing,” she clarified.
As daughter and mother navigate the world of fashion together, a blend of nostalgia and creativity is evident in their relationship, underpinned by an appreciation for style that transcends generations.
Source: Noah Wire Services
