Last night, I hung out with Gigi Hadid at the Made for Maybelline NBA fashion week event and it was, well, everything you'd expect. Within seconds of meeting the 19-year-old blonde, it was obvious that her insane success has not gone to her head. For the uninitiated, the daughter of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Foster is a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, a Guess girl, has walked in heavy-hitting shows like Marc Jacobs and Chanel, and was recently named Maybelline New York's newest spokesmodel. Plus, she's a card-carrying member of what we like to call the Taylor Swift Girl Gang.
I chatted with the model of the moment about her cool clique of girls, her Australian pop singer boyfriend, Cody Simpson, talking in baby voices with Kendall Jenner—and, of course, her Valentine's Day plans.
You're traveling so much! How do you keep yourself feeling and looking awake and fresh?
A lot of sleep. If I can leave an event, I go right away. There are some people who can stay up and do it, but I just can't, and I think everybody has to know themselves and know their body.
What time do you usually go to bed?
I am an old lady, I would always rather be in bed than out. I get tired early, so I try to go to sleep by 11.
So since you're more of a morning person, what do you do for fun in the day?
I'll wake up and box at 8 or 9 am. I love doing that because it gets me up, and then I have a full day ahead of me, and that is such a good feeling. I love walking around, I live in SoHo [in New York City], so I walk everywhere.
So is boxing your favorite workout?
Yeah, it's the only workout I do. I do it every day that I'm in New York and not working. Sara Sampaio introduced me to Rob Piela at Gotham Gym and since then he has become like my big brother, and everyone at Gotham Gym is my big brother. It's like my second home; I love being there. Even when I'm sick, I'll go in and bring them something and just hang out at the gym, even if I'm not working out because I love being there.
You've been modeling since you were a kid, but if you weren't a model, what would you be doing?
I would either have a cooking show or I would be a criminal psychologist.
Woah, those are so different! What is your favorite thing to cook?
I love cooking for my boyfriend and he loves asparagus wrapped in bacon. I make steak, I make pasta, kind of whatever he wants.
So you have such a cool group of girlfriends. Do you guys each play different roles in the group?
I feel like we all bring different sides out of each other. I think I make Kendall [Jenner] more goofy than she is.
Is she really serious?
She has a really good sense of humor, but it's more dry. But when I am around her, she gets more goofy. I do this baby voice that only really comes out around my friends and Kendall is starting to do it and she's like "G, I hate you, you're making me do the baby voice…"
What about the rest of the crew?
Taylor [Swift] always wants to talk relationships, love her for that. Lily [Aldridge] is very motherly, she's like my big sister. Cara [Delevingne] is just Cara, you guys know Cara. Selena [Gomez] is very sweet.
So is Taylor the one everyone goes to to talk about relationships? Did you talk to her when you and Cody broke up for a little?
We've talked about it, yeah. She's just good at it, but it's not necessarily to talk about one certain guy, we just have a lot of relationship talks in general.
How often do you all hang out?
As much as we can when we are in the same place.
Are you doing anything for fashion week?
Yeah, this year I am watching the Diesel show and Tory Burch.
What are your go-to New York fashion week products that you can't live without?
Chanel Hydro Beauty Lotion when I am cleaning my skin. And makeup wise, Maybelline The Nudes eyeshadow palette because when I do my own makeup—which is for most events—I usually am only wearing the nude palette, mascara, and foundation.
Wow, you do your own makeup. Have any tips?
Less is more.
From the editors of ELLE.com
Photo above, Rex Features
