She has been described by Vogue UK's creative director as the living embodiment of the "London Girl" and The Sunday Times Style Magazine recently referred to her as one of the “Great British Beauties”. This month we sat down with Cecilia Chancellor to chat about her career in fashion, working with her son, Lucas, and how she’s maintaining balance during these uncertain times.

LM:You have established yourself as one of Britain’s most successful models, how did you start your career in modeling and fashion?

CC: It happened by accident. A school friend, Camilla Nickerson (who went on to establish a very successful career in fashion), got me on a job as she was modeling at the time. This led me to joining a model agency in London. A trip to see NYC with a plan to pay for it with modeling, turned into several years based there, and a whirlwind of travel with work. It was NY that gave me my break.

LM: Over the years, you have worked with renowned fashion designers including Marc Jacobs, Galliano, and Helmut Lang, among others. Can you tell us about some of your experiences in the fashion world?

CC: After all these years in the business it’s hard to pick. I did a particularly memorable trip with Ralph Lauren in the 90’s for 10 days traveling to different beautiful old castles in Ireland. And runway-wise, working with Helmut Lang was a highlight. He always created a family atmosphere at his shows, being very loyal to the models that he liked. I love his clothes and always felt like my best, and coolest, self on his runway.

LM: You have appeared on countless magazine covers, which ones have been your favorite?

CC: The covers that have meant the most to me are the ones that included my son, Lucas. The first was when I was 5 months pregnant, for D magazine (La Republicca newspaper) in Italy and photographed by Kristophe Kutner. Just a month after he was born, we did a cover shoot for British Vogue together with a group of top British models and shot by Mario Testino. Cut to a month or so ago, and Lucas is now a working 19 year old model. It was a thrill to appear together on the digital cover of Wall Street Journal magazine during lockdown, photographed by Dan Martensen.

LM: What advice have you given Lucas about the industry?

CC: Modeling has a lot to offer with exciting travel experiences, meeting and working with creative people from all over the world, and having the possibility to save some money as a young person. But it also can be difficult, with options cancelling or confirming at very short notice. I encourage him to pursue other interests and continue his education at the same time. Which is what he wants to do .

LM: How has the industry changed since you started modeling?

CC: That’s a big question. Everything has changed. When I started working in NY there was no such thing as a mobile phone or computer! Digital photography didn’t exist either. So, on a very simple level, the process of being photographed was very different. Social media, of course, didn’t exist either and that too has changed the business.

LM: What are your passions and are you working on any projects outside of the fashion world?

CC: I am starting to write and plan to do more of that. Some ideas are brewing. I love to yoga and meditation, and I am taking a teacher training course in gyrokinesis. I got back into reading and cooking during lockdown, and plan to do more of that. I also support domestic violence charities Refuge and Women’s Aid and the environmental charity Friends of the Earth.

LM: What are your plans for the near future in terms of your modeling work and any other projects?

CC: I feel very blessed to still be getting modeling work, and hope that continues for me. My main plan during these uncertain and difficult times, is to do all I can to stay healthy, peaceful and steady, and try to be helpful to others. That feels like enough for now.

Interview: Linda Mateljan

Cecilia Chancellor, the London girl.