Remember the name Ella Richards, because the young British model (and granddaughter to Keith Richards) is set to be everywhere come fall—starting with Burberry Prorsum’s campaign lensed by Mario Testino. Alongside models Florence Kosky and Amber Anderson and actresses Holliday Grainger and Clara Paget, Richards sports the house’s bohemian pieces on the streets of London’s St James’s neighborhood. (For those counting, this is the third major campaign shot on the streets: Gucci took Los Angeles, while Miu Miu shot its in New York.) Rounding out the ads are musicians Tom Odell, Oliver Burslem, Ranald MacDonald, and Oscar Robertson; models Jackson Hale and Oscar Tuttiett; and actor Harry Treadaway—all representing a new generation of British talent. And considering where the rest of those Burberry-endorsed stars of yesteryear have ended up—ahem, Cara Delevingne—it’s probably a safe bet to expect great things from this bunch.
For Richards, this isn’t her first go-around on the campaign cycle, either. The model codesigned a collection with Paul & Joe Sister for which she appeared in the lookbook, and has appeared on Burberry Prorsum’s and Sonia Rykiel’s runways so far. In honor of her Burberry news, we caught up with the British face below.
How did you find out you were cast in Burberry’s Fall campaign?
I was on a crowded train traveling home to Sussex when my agent called me…and I really had to contain my excitement!
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What did you do to celebrate your role in the Burberry campaign?
I had just returned from Paris fashion week, where I had been working solidly for 10 days, and I was looking forward to going home and relaxing and chilling with my friends and family. So I had a very relaxed celebration with family and friends, which was lovely.
What does it feel like to follow in the footsteps of other major British models like Cara Delevingne, Naomi Campbell, Kate Moss, and Jourdan Dunn?
It’s such a great compliment because they are all such iconic and successful women, and they have such stellar careers. I’m really flattered to be working with Burberry—they have a great heritage of iconic campaigns, and the clothes are so beautifully designed.
Are there any models whose careers you look up to?
It’s probably Kate Moss, because she has had such a long and successful career, and I find her work to be very creative and inspiring.
What do you think makes you a Burberry muse?
I’m not sure that I am—but thank you for the compliment!
The Fall collection is very bohemian—does that mesh with your personal style?
It definitely does, and I loved all the outfits. There were so many key pieces that I could incorporate into my wardrobe—it is very much my style.
What would you say is the biggest thing you’ve learned from working with Christopher Bailey and his team?
It’s really reinforced the knowledge I had about how much work goes into creating a collection and a campaign, and how committed and talented great designers are. Christopher was very sweet and involved, and he really made me feel comfortable. He was so friendly and took time to talk to everyone on the set and make sure everyone was comfortable.
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