Probably the most famous YouTuber in the world, Emma Chamberlain was born in 2001 in San Bruno, California. She started by chance, after experiencing the toxicity of the school environment in which she lived. In seven years of activity she has collected more than 15 million followers, a community that follows her in her videos published on a weekly basis, which she edits in about 20 or 30 hours of work. Incessant marathons: «My eyesight has gotten worse, now I wear glasses. And I work from bed, sitting at a desk would have caused me too many back problems». In addition to her YouTube channel, she records a podcast on Spotify, uses TikTok, talks about the most glamorous side of her life on Instagram and has her own brand Chamberlain Coffee. Her style is intelligently entertaining, fresh and never banal. We meet her in Paris during fashion week, while she is preparing for our photoshoot. She is sought after by fashion houses, from Louis Vuitton to Calvin Klein, after having accustomed us to the girly looks by Miu Miu at the past MET Galas, where she has been interviewing guests on the red carpet since 2021, and where this year she amazed with a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier, both goth and super sexy, accompanied by Cartier jewelry, the brand for which she is an ambassador.
L’OFFICIEL: Have you always wanted to be a YouTuber?
EMMA CHAMBERLAIN: My career began in 2017. I was 16 and going through a difficult time, so I really needed a creative outlet. My father said to me: “Why don’t you create a YouTube channel? You love YouTube, give it a try!”. At first I thought I wasn’t cut out for it, but at the same time that I would probably have fun trying. And so, in the summer of that year I started filming videos for YouTube and posting them. By some miracle, it worked.
LO: What is the one bag you can’t leave home without?
EC: My all-time favorite bag is a black Prada, a reissue of a 1995 model. I carry it everywhere. I was at the airport and had a lot of extra time and I thought, “you know what? I’ll go and see what’s in the shops.” Which is something I never do actually. I found the “most” perfect bag. It’s structurally rectangular, looks a bit like a briefcase and is so chic, sharp… Shiny with silver details. Gorgeous!
LO: What should I have in my bag?
EC: Obviously my wallet, keys, phone, at least three lip products. A lip pencil, some kind of tinted moisturizing balm, and if I’m going out at night some moisturizing lipstick, usually in a warmer shade than my skin tone. Almost like my natural shade, but a little darker. And I always have hand sanitizer! You never know. Nothing super interesting, except a Swiss Army knife.
LO: What’s been the weirdest moment, in a good way, in your career?
EC: Probably the interviews at my first Met Gala, in 2021. I was on the red carpet and I had never done an interview like that in my life. I had no training whatsoever. I had no idea what I was doing. I had no idea what was going on. Another wild moment I had was last night. I was wearing a full Rick Owens look to a big fashion week event here in Paris. I chose a super tiny top, which was a pretty risky move, but it was so much fun! It could have been a fashion emergency at any moment.
« Cartier has beautiful statement pieces like the one I’m wearing now from the high jewelry collection «Nature Sauvage». But also simpler jewelry, that you can wear every day»
LO: What connects you to Cartier?
EC: My first memory is my first Met Gala. I was shopping in some vintage stores and I found this beautiful Cartier watch, gold and super delicate. I think I was looking for something to remember the Met Gala moment. I wanted to give myself a little treat for doing something that was on my bucket list. I had no connection to the house at the time. I’ve been working with Cartier for a few years now, I think maybe three, and I think what’s been the most exciting for me has been learning about the world of jewelry. I didn’t know much about it before and it’s such a different world to what I expected. The jewelry is so detailed, spectacular little machines.
LO: Which Cartier pieces are essential to your look?
EC: Everyone knows me for the Love Hoops earrings that I wear literally every single day. And if someone doesn’t see me with them they get worried. They ask me if I look okay. “Is it a clone? Doesn’t she wear Cartier earrings?” I have them in white gold and yellow gold. They’re a classic, I love them. Cartier has both beautiful statement pieces like the one I’m wearing now from the “Nature Sauvage” collection, but also more minimalist, everyday jewelry.