LUCY RAE TOOK HER LOVE FOR CONTENT CREATION AND BECAME A HIGH FASHION MODEL

• Fashion

Apr 19, 2024 @ 10:00 am By Taylor Winter Wilson

It seems like these days, everyone wants to be a content creator, but how many people do you know that have taken their platforms and became a high fashion model? Lucy Rae McFadin might make it look easy, but she’s been laying the groundwork for her current career for the past few years. We sat down with Lucy Rae to learn more about her life in NYC, her new fashion series and much more!  

FEATURE INTERVIEW:

How would you define your fashion style?   

My personal style has evolved so much over the past few years, but I would describe my current approach as eclectic, with comfort in mind for almost every occasion. My favorite outfits usually incorporate an ultra-feminine garment with a piece that brings some edge or casualness to the overall look. 

You’ve collaborated with brands like Gucci, Coach, Moschino and Marc Jacobs, just to name a few. What brands would you like to collaborate with in the future?   

 YSL or Chanel are my dream of all dreams – Would die to attend one of their shows!

Not only are you a content creator, you also recently signed to Ford Models. Talk to us about your journey as a model and what you look forward to the most being signed to this iconic modeling agency.   

For how big the agency is, I have found Ford to be such a close-knit family over the past year and a half. My agents and the other talent they represent have become some of my closest friends and I feel so lucky to work alongside people I feel so inspired and supported by! It is rare to come around, especially in the modeling industry. 

You created a new Instagram series on your platform, “Style Emergencies”. Tell us about how this series came about and what viewers can expect from it?   

New York street style and my circle of friends are among my most significant sources of inspiration when it comes to my personal style. I knew I wanted to showcase their array of different fashion senses and outfit planning processes to my audience online to make raw, authentic street style influence more accessible for those who may not live in a city with diverse clothing expression. 

 My hope with the series is that viewers can find creative styling more approachable by simply going through the motions with us. I have already found myself out of my comfort zone with my style and experimenting with new choices in the first 10 episodes. Each guest has truly made me feel like I’m a little kid again playing dress-up, which has been the absolute most fun to film. 

As for what to expect, I just wrapped up the first 10 episodes a few weeks ago, which guess we can call “Season 1.” I wanted to make sure this was something people enjoyed before I fully committed to the series, but seeing what it has turned into, I am excited to announce that Season 2 will be coming late Spring / Early summer with production quality updates and some very exciting new guests! 

I couldn’t help but notice all the beautiful tattoos you have. When did you begin getting them and which tattoo has the most sentimental value to you?   

I got my first tattoo over three years ago… my dad always told my sister and I that we couldn’t get tattoos, which I think only made me want them more lol. The most sentimental one is the word “Yellow” in my grandmother’s handwriting. We used to play school a lot when I was a kid. I was the teacher, Miss McFadin, and she would play a student named Yellow. 

What is your current skincare routine?   

I’ve been trying to stick with less is more when it comes to skincare, which isn’t always easy with the number of products I have/want to try. I have pretty sensitive skin, so I usually start with a serum or oil to keep my skin hydrated, followed by a simple moisturizer (La Roche Posay is the best) and an undereye cream. 

Product Shout Outs: The Ordinary Glycolic Toner for solving any breakouts, Peter Thomas Roth undereye masks, Dr. Jart Face Masks, Tatcha Rice Powder for exfoliating! 

You’re from California but currently living in NYC. Do you prefer the West or East Coast? What are some of your favorite things to do in both locations?   

For right now, I definitely prefer the East Coast, but I think I’ll go back West when I get older. I appreciate California’s laid-back lifestyle and being surrounded by nature. It’s hard not to miss being able to roll out of bed and drive to the beach on a lovely sunny morning in the middle of January. 

New York, however, has been a remarkable city for me to live in and something I have had my heart set on since I was 12 years old. I have met some of my best friends and connected with a creative community that has helped me feel more confident in expanding my career and exploring new passions. 

 I truly admire the hustle of New York City and how small everything can feel when you witness how focused everyone is here on their own endeavors and journeys. 

How do you practice self-care?   

Doing just about anything with my dog Pocket, journaling, hot yoga, boxing, always getting my 8 hours of beauty sleep, walking the Williamsburg bridge and playing my music very loudly. 

Cooking a nourishing meal for myself, rewatching my favorite old movies, being able to say no to opportunities to not overwhelm myself, being able to say yes to opportunities that will help me grow as a person and meet new faces, speaking to my sister and best friend on a regular basis, being graceful with my inner dialogue! 

As we head into warmer months, what items should Galore readers ditch this season? What are your must have fashion pieces?   

Last Summer seemed to be the season of the Jorts… I think we should leave those behind for a minute. I’ll be wearing sundresses and havaianas this Spring. I love the idea of a flowy feminine dress with something as relaxed as flip flops. I also really want to get a pair of Sperry’s again. 

What beauty items do you always keep in your purse?   

I carry an “Emergency Pack” in my purse which carries my favorite lip liner (Refy in Fawn) and gloss (YSL Lip Shine) and a pink Chanel compact mirror. 

The other items are not beauty related, but I also carry band aids, anti-nausea ginger pills, fashion tape, and essential oils to smell in case I have a headache.  

What fashion events do you look forward to attending this year?   

September Fashion Month – Runway shows are always the most exciting for me and I think brands have really begun to experiment these past few years in terms of location, movement, and casting so I am looking forwards to being more pleasantly surprised by those choices.  

What is your current favorite song?   

I’ve been listening to the new Fabiana Palladino album a lot – I Care is my favorite.  

What’s next for Lucy Rae McFadin? 

More styling work for brands and publications, it’s been so refreshing to express my creative freedom in that field when it’s not tied to my personal brand/ platforms. Style Emergency relaunch, consistency on YouTube, summer travels, and just continuing to share my life with my lil internet community! 

TEAM CREDITS:

Editor in Chief: Prince Chenoa (@princechenoastudio)

Feature Editor: Taylor Winter Wilson (@taylorwinter)

Creative Direction: Dieyna Dieng  (@bravojayna) & Lucy Rae Mcfadin (@LucyraeMcfadin)

Talent and Styling: Lucy Rae McFadin (@LucyraeMcfadin)

Photographer: Thomas Chimney (@thomaschimney)

Hair Artist: Rachel Hopkins (@rachel_hopkinshair)

Makeup: Frostie Delite (@frostiedelite)

Producer: Dieyna Dieng (@bravojayna)

About The Author: Taylor Winter Wilson

Junior beauty and lifestyle editor for Galore. Made in Detroit - Living in Atlanta.