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Step into the universe of the coolest creatives in the fashion industry with our new series My World, where readers will discover how the top stylists, designers, and tastemakers built their careers; their favorite under-the-radar restaurants and hotels, beloved deep-cut album, and fashion finds; etiquette rules they stand by; and so much more.
By now, it’s impossible not to know the name Emma Chamberlain. Whether for her platinum mullet, unfiltered video-editing style, or irreverent red carpet interviews, Chamberlain has become synonymous with the style, humor, and overall internet presence of her generation. What began as posting vlogs to YouTube during her sophomore year in high school has evolved into something that can only be described as a full-on business empire for the 23-year-old multi-hyphenate. Her company Chamberlain Coffee that sells all manner of coffee beans, matcha, and other caffeine-related merch has been estimated at a value of $20 million; she inked a deal with Spotify for her podcast, Anything Goes; and more recently, she joined forces with Warby Parker to design a capsule of eyewear.
The thing about Chamberlain is that to know her at all is to love her. It’s impossible not to—her brand of humor is uniquely unfiltered and off the cuff, if at times lovingly self-deprecating. No moment in pop culture personifies this energy better than her now-famous interview with Jack Harlow on the 2022 Met Gala red carpet. Harlow says “Love ya!” before walking away and leaving Chamberlain with an awkward, wide-eyed reaction to the camera. It’s those moments of Emma being purely Emma that make her so endlessly joyful to watch. Now, after taking a hiatus from YouTube, Chamberlain is finding her way back to the platform—on her own terms. She’s since posted two narrative-style videos. The first documents herself cutting her long hair into a mullet while the second chronicles a massive closet purge, and they’re already setting the tone for her newfound relationship with vlogging.
Off YouTube, the creative juices are certainly flowing. For Chamberlain Coffee, her campaigns are nothing cinematic, each with their own props, wardrobe, and characters that pull you into their world, whether that be a chemist’s lab, circus, or Olympic gymnastics gym. Her most recent collaboration with Warby Parker brings that same caliber of creative production with a series of mini characters Chamberlain concocted out of an inside joke with herself that she never takes her glasses off. Throughout our conversation, it became clear just how much pride she has in these projects. From the ideation to the execution, it’s like stepping inside her strange but wonderful mind. Ahead, you’ll get a glimpse into Emma Chamberlain’s world, including her return to YouTube, favorite red carpet moments, and so much more.
Give us a peek into your own world. What does the day-to-day in the life as a content creator/podcast host/entrepreneur entail?
Right now, I’m working seven days a week. I’m lucky because it’s all things that I’m excited about, and that’s all you could ask for. I’m at a point in my career now where there is a lot more behind-the-scenes stuff that I didn’t have before. Five years ago, my job was just about creating the content, and then as things progressed, it shifted to a point where I was like, “Oh, I actually am running things behind the scenes.” There’s more of an operation going on now, so I’m doing meetings about things or editing things or all this stuff that takes up time in a way that you wouldn’t anticipate.
I recently read that you have a “two-phone” rule. Can you tell me about this?
I have one with a normal phone case, and then the other one has a bunch of toxic stickers and a do not enter sign. The home screen is the throw up emoji. Everything about it is like, do not touch this phone, and on that phone, I deleted all of the functional apps, so calling, texting, all that stuff, because I don’t want to fall into a routine of using that phone. I wanted to create a barrier to using that phone on a day-to-day basis. If I’m going to post something on the internet, I only open the phone to post, and I put it back. It’s in a corner in my office plugged in all the time. It has truly improved my quality of life so much so that this has become the vibe. I don’t know if I’ll ever go back.
You’ve achieved so many career successes and wins, from hosting the Met Gala as a Vogue red carpet correspondent to launching and growing a coffee business that’s valued at $20M. At this point, you’re carving a completely original path for yourself. What would you say is the main driver in your work?
What brings joy to people, period. It’s what has propelled me for the last few years: doing what brings me the most joy and fulfillment, and that also brings the most joy to the people around me.
Between campaigns for Chamberlain Coffee and brand collaborations like the one you recently did with Warby Parker, you’re known for creating these visual worlds that feel cinematic, almost like mini movies complete with their own custom characters, sets, and props. How do these ideas come to you? Where do you look for inspiration when ideating for these creative projects?
With Warby Parker specifically, that was a very new idea, where I wanted to come up with something brand new and unique for this collaboration, that is not reminiscent of anything, and that is challenging. I’ve found that you have to be intuitive. I’m somebody who historically has really played with my look a lot—going to a fashion show or for a Chamberlain Coffee shoot, I cut and dye hair and change my look a lot—so I wanted to lean into that and also the fact that I just don’t take my glasses off. It’s like an inside joke with myself, so I tried to build it out from there.
Of course, YouTube is really where it all began for you. What are the types of videos that most excite you to make right now?
I’d say recently, I would describe my last two videos as sharing an epiphany. I used to film my day-to-day life but now I’m enjoying telling stories about specific things that have happened. With the [haircut] video (“hair theory”), it was about me being like, “I’m bored of what I look like. I want to cut my hair.” And then documenting that experience and telling that story. And with the closet clean-out of it all (“I got rid of (almost) everything”), that was me coming to the conclusion that I had overdone it and then showing what was left. I’m just inspired by telling a mundane sort of story in an interesting way.
What camera do you shoot on?
I’ve always loved the Canon G7X. It’s such a good one for photos. I just recently started using the Canon Vixia—a larger camcorder—and I love how it’s a bit grainier.
Wildflower Cases
Blue Gingham Hearts iPhone Case
Canon
Vixia Hf G70 Camcorder
Warby Parker
Patty Glasses
You’ve worn so many iconic looks over the years for countless red carpets and appearances. Is there one that you look back on fondly? What’s the story behind how it came to life?
My most favorite ever would be last year’s Met Gala with Jean Paul Gaultier. What was just so incredible about that—honestly, I really give credit to my stylist Jared Ellner and Jean Paul Gaultier for really putting the hours into that project.
You’ve worked with your stylist Jared Ellner for quite a while now. What are some of the references and inspirations that come up in your conversations?
A lot of it is runway. I’m no professional fashion analyst, but it’s almost like going to a sports game, right? If you love fashion, going to fashion shows is like going to a football game or the World Series. We are constantly studying the runways, old and new, and trying to pull things we saw and were obsessed with. That actually happened for the Vogue World event where I wore this Rick Owens look. We saw it on the runway, and we were like, this is the best look ever. I need to wear it at some point.
What fashion aesthetics or brands best encapsulate the world you want to live in every day?
I’m definitely enjoying simplicity and minimalism right now.
As far as your everyday style goes, which wardrobe staples do you live in?
Simple gray, wide-leg trousers. Basic white tank tops, black turtlenecks, simple long skirts with a few sort of more intricate pieces. I have a lot of vintage Jean Paul Gaultier actually. I have this one top that’s a cotton three-quarter sleeve shirt in striped navy and white that has metal buttons on the front. Very sailor. But it’s very simple and can be any aesthetic you want it to be, depending on what you pair it with.
I also feel like you’re a Tabi girl, no?
I am a Tabi girl. I didn’t get it for a long time. The Tabis being trendy is what swayed me. It was trying them on and finding out they were actually very comfortable.
Which style icons are on your mood board?
I will say I’ve found the most inspiration from people in real life. For example, there was a woman who used to be the maître d’ at the Sunset Tower Hotel. She doesn’t work there now, but she worked there for many, many years. But she used to wear some sort of cute chunky shoe with a long, three-quarter-length skirt, and usually some sort of beautiful sweater, and it was so chic to me. However, when I look on my Pinterest, a lot of what I’m seeing is ’60s mod style, so images of Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick.
Jean Paul Gaultier
Virgin Wool Blazer
Maison Margiela
Tabi Ballerina Flat
Nordstrom
Pleated Midi Skirt
You worked with Proem Studio to design your L.A. home, which was featured in Architectural Digest among others. How would you describe your interior décor style? Are there any design aesthetics you leaned into when decorating your current home?
I would say it’s definitely very eclectic. You know, it’s like, kind of, and I think my personal clothing style is also kind of like this as well. I like to mix and match various eras, you know, and to create something. Whereas, like my clothes, I’m kind of sending a message. With my home, it’s what genuinely just brings joy.
What is the most prized possession in your home? And why?
I did just get a new espresso machine that I’m obsessed with. It’s the mini La Marzocco Micro. It’s what they use in a café, like a big metal, serious machine, but a mini one for my house. But also, I do have a little Wallace & Gromit wall panel. In the cartoon, the character would press a button on the wall in the morning, and it would like open a trap door, and they’d fall through the floor and then a machine would attach their pants onto them. You know, that one didn’t make it into Architectural Digest.
Finish the following sentence: My home wouldn’t be complete without __________.
My cats Declan and Frankie!
Where is your favorite local spot that you’re most comfortable hanging out at?
My hot yoga studio that is somewhat close to me. That’s one of the only places I really go. I also love going to the grocery store and walking around, so Whole Foods and Erewhon even.
Ettore Sottsass
Ultrafragola Mirror
Eny Lee Parker
Daisy Sconce
Spotify Wrapped was just released. Give us a peek into yours. Who were your top streamed artists? Were you surprised by this?
One of my top bands was Current Joys. But my Spotify Wrapped gets spoiled for me because I have a playlist for every year, so I already knew what was going to be in it.
What is one deep-cut album that you listen to on repeat?
I was listening to The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour a lot this year, for some reason.
What movie did you watch recently that stuck with you?
Okay, I really don’t love movies. I don’t watch them ever really. I don’t know why. I’m a YouTube kid, I guess.
What’s one thing on your “queue” that you haven’t gotten to yet but is next up for you?
Mainly what I want to read are classic books. The ones that my high school didn’t, like To Kill a Mockingbird or Frankenstein. I’ve tried to read Crime and Punishment a few times and failed. All those brutal classics, that’s what I would love to get through, even though a lot of them are really challenging.
The Beatles
Magical Mystery Tour LP
Mary Shelley
Frankenstein
What is your biggest pet peeve?
I’m a control freak about my schedule. I like to get stuff done in the moment, so anyone who inhibits that.
What is something that’s overrated and underrated in your mind?
Underrated: pixie cuts. Although, I’m biased. Overrated: camo print. I don’t care about it.
If it were up to you, which fashion trend would never see the light of day again?
Galaxy print.
What is one fashion trend that you think is overdue for a comeback?
Everyone is debating whether 2025 is the year skinny jeans are going to come back, and I do think they are. I feel it in my bones. Am I going to wear them? Probably not.
What are your favorite things to give and get as gifts?
I really love giving experiences, like taking my family on a trip or to a really nice dinner. However, I do think when there’s someone who really wants something and has been talking about something over and over again, there’s no better gift than that.
