Last word: Aerin Lauder
Five minutes with the founder of luxury lifestyle beauty and homewares brand, Aerin
- Words By Aobh O'Brien-Moody
KULTURA: How do you start your day?
Aerin Lauder: I always start my day with coffee. The morning is my favourite time to relax with a cup of hot coffee and call a few of my friends.
K: Do you prefer the city or the countryside?
AL: I love the countryside, but I prefer the city. I will always be a New Yorker at heart.
K: Where do you seek inspiration?
AL: I am inspired by so many different things including nature, travel, art and fashion, as well as my own heritage.
K: What time of the day are you at your most productive?
AL: I wake up around 7am and I am most productive in the morning. My day begins long before I arrive at the office.
K: What piece of advice do you wish you’d followed?
AL: I wish that I had travelled more before I had children. It is such an important time to explore and do things that you love and that inspire you.
K: Who makes the best classic white shirt?
AL: My favourite white shirt is from Knatchbull. It is classic, timeless and the perfect wardrobe staple.
K: What is your drink of choice?
AL: I can never say “no” to a glass of red wine.
K: What is your proudest moment?
AL: There is nothing that I am prouder of than being a mother to my two boys.
K: What is your most cherished item of clothing?
AL: Estée Lauder’s vintage black Kelly bag.
K: What is a cause you are most passionate about?
AL: The Breast Cancer Research Foundation was founded by my Aunt Evelyn. It is an honour to continue her legacy and work with this incredible organisation.
K: Who is the most interesting person you know?
AL: My father (Ronald, chairman of Clinique Laboratories). I am inspired by him every single day.
K: What is the one thing that’s always worth paying more for?
AL: Fragrance.
K: Where do you want to be in 10 years?
AL: New York City.
K: What is the one book you would recommend everyone to read?
AL: The Coddling of the American Mind [by by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt].
K: How would you like to be remembered?
AL: I’d like to be remembered as a creative businesswoman with a strong sense of family.
