Emma Chamberlain, the voice of Gen Z: "I always have a Swiss Army knife in my bag"

From YouTube queen to Met Gala star, the voice of Generation Z - Cartier ambassador - tells her story.

Photography ALAN GELATI
Styling JARED ELLNER

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 started in 2017. I was 16 and going through a rough patch, so I really needed a creative outlet. My dad said, “Why don’t you make a YouTube channel? You love YouTube, go for it!” At first I thought I wasn’t good at it, but at the same time I thought it would probably be fun to try. So in the summer of that year I started filming YouTube videos and posting them. By some miracle, it worked.

LO: What's the one bag you couldn't leave home without?
EC: My all-time favorite bag is a black Prada reissue of a 1995 model. I carry it everywhere. I was at the airport and had a lot of extra time and thought, “you know what? I’m going to walk around and see what’s in the stores.” Which is something I never really do. I found the “most” perfect bag. It’s structurally rectangular, it looks a bit like a briefcase and it’s so chic, sharp… Shiny with silver details. Gorgeous!

coat jacket adult female person woman long sleeve sweater formal wear overcoat

Leather jacket with GG motif, GUCCI; "Chryseis" necklace and ring, "Nature Sauvage" collection, CARTIER HIGH JEWELRY.

LO: What can't be missing inside?
EC: Obviously my wallet, keys, phone, at least three lip products. A lip liner, 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, other than a Swiss Army knife.

LO: What has been the strangest moment, in a good way, of your career?
EC: Probably my first Met Gala interviews, 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! There could have been a fashion emergency at any moment.

« Cartier has some beautiful statement pieces like the one I'm wearing now from the "Nature Sauvage" high jewelry collection. But also simpler jewelry, that you can wear every day»

dress evening dress formal wear adult female person woman swimwear blouse necklace

Bodysuit, ACNE STUDIOS; "Chryseis" necklace in platinum with a pear-shaped cabochon-cut rubellite, cabochon-cut chalcedony pearls, onyx, and brilliant-cut diamonds and "Chryseis" ring in platinum with an oval rubellite, cabochon-cut chrysoprase, onyx, brilliant-cut diamonds, both from the "Nature Sauvage" collection, CARTIER HIGH JEWELRY.

LO: What ties 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 with 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 is learning about the world of jewelry. I didn’t know much about it before and it’s such a different world than I expected. The jewelry is so detailed, these little spectacular machines.

LO: Which Cartier pieces are essential to your looks?
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 worry. 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 are a classic, I love them. Cartier has beautiful statement pieces like the one I’m wearing now from the “Nature Sauvage” collection, but they also have more minimalist, everyday pieces.