Her modelling debut was at age 10 with Versace, her acting debut was at age 15 in Sister Cities, and today, at age 16, she is the official brand ambassador for the 115 year-old watch brand Omega and its latest timepiece — Trésor. We can only imagine what she plans to do next. In conversation with Cindy Crawford’s wondrous daughter, Kaia Gerber, and what it is like to be her:
ELLE: What’s a typical day for Kaia Gerber, if such a thing exists?
Kaia Gerber: When I’m home, I like to spend a lot of downtime. I kind of just stay at my house, take the time with my family and my dogs. And I get to sleep in my own bed, which is my favourite thing now.
ELLE: When was the first time you realised you were famous?
KG: I still get surprised. If someone knows my name, I’m like, wait, are talking to me? Because I never expect it. And it still surprises me. I don’t think there was ever one moment when I understood it. But I think I was about 13, when one person started following me on Instagram, and I thought, how did they find me? From there it became how it is now.
ELLE: Your Instagram has over 3 million followers. Who is your favourite person to follow and why?
KG: My brother, because I would not know what he’s doing otherwise. So when I’m travelling and I’m not with him and he’s not responding to me I’m like, you know what, I’m going to go on your Instagram and see where you are.
ELLE: You’re one of the most in demand models at the moment. Do you have any tips for time management?
KG: I think it’s taking time for yourself, to sort it out. I’m a Virgo, so I’m very on top of things and in time, so it’s just learning what does and doesn’t work for you — how much you can handle.
ELLE: You’ve walked in so many fashion shows. What was the most memorable one?
KG: What I love about doing shows is they are all so different. With each one, it’s a new experience. It’s so difficult to choose because every time it’s new and I’m just so happy to be there.
ELLE: What’s your first Omega memory?
KG: My first Omega memory was probably going to the Beijing (Olympic Games) in 2008. I think that was the trip that made me fall in love with Omega and their values. Spending time as a family in Beijing with the Omega family is one of my favourite childhood memories of all time.
ELLE: What does it feel like to work with your mom, both of you being ambassadors at the same time?
KG: This is the first time we’ve worked together for Omega officially. Growing up she would always bring us with her (to Omega events) so I got really comfortable with the Omega family, but to be able to do a shoot together and to experience something like this together means the world to me.
ELLE: Do you see yourself as role model and is that a big responsibility for you?
KG: I would never assume that somebody saw me as a role model, but if I can inspire one girl or one person that means the world to me and I hope I do a good job.
ELLE: What does a watch mean to you today and what is your relationship with time?
KG: Today, you don’t need a watch to tell the time — everyone has a phone, so I think that’s why a watch is so important to me because it’s become this classic piece that you wear because it feels good and if you see someone wearing a watch, you know they really like that watch.
ELLE: Your mother contributed to the design of the Constellation, how about you with the Trésor collection?
KG: This is a new collection and I was very happy that they wanted me to be the face of it because it does represent me really well as a person and it’s my favourite watch to wear. I’m wearing it right now, so just to have a watch from the same brand as the Constellation is very exciting.
ELLE: If you had to define the Trésor watch in one word, what would it be?
KG: I think style, because it combines both the classic style and the newer edgier style.
ELLE: If you travel forward in time, let’s say 20 years from now, how would you like to see Kaia?
KG: I don’t even know what I’m going to be doing tomorrow, so I hope I’m in a happy place and doing something that I love.
